The Express softball team is one of only 16 teams remaining in the nation and has lost only three games this season thanks in part to the contributions of many local athletes.

Three Clay graduates (Kasey Graham, Matea Rice, Hallie Thompson) excelled in different roles.

Thompson has played in 18 games while starting four heading into the postseason. As the backup second baseman, she has hit .353 in 17 at bats. She has added 10 runs with her additional duties as a pinch runner, where she has also stole four of five attempts on the bases. Of her six hits, three of them have been doubles, and she has six RBIs.

Kasey Graham on the mound	Hallie Thompson

Coming off shoulder surgery, Express head coach Duane Lanham said Thompson wasn’t able to really get started until January in full play.

“As a freshman, she’s beginning to understand the different roles on the team, the commitment, the work ethic, and what it was going to take to work herself into the lineup. She’s a pretty solid ballplayer and we’re obviously looking for some good things from her as we approach the 2012 season.”

Graham has seen action as a starter and a reliever for the Express this season, while earning a 2.27 ERA – second best on the team – in 10 appearances. She sports a 5-0 record in 31.2 innings pitched. As a reliever, she has pitched the Express out of several jams on the mound that have helped the team to a 36-2 record. She has 24 strikeouts.

“She’s come in and done an amazing job as a relief pitcher for a variety of our starters,” Lanham said. “She’s always prepared to come in and do what she can to help the team be victorious. Kasey is a pretty hard worker, a dedicated ballplayer.”

The third Clay grad, Matea Rice, has been huge for the Express this team as a sophomore starting first baseman. She earned the team’s most improved player honor for her play, which has included a .341 average. While starting 34 games, she has 11 RBIs in 82 at bats as the # 6 hitter. She was recently named to the All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference team.

“She has dedicated herself to be an impact player on this team,” Lanham said. “Through the course of the season, she’s come up with some big hits. In addition, she’s very solid as a first baseman, and she has continuously worked hard to improve her game since she’s been at Owens.”

Two Oak Harbor graduates, Annie DeTray and Elizabeth Weber, have also made an impact this season. DeTray has been in the program three years now after she walked on her first year. She is a utility player for the Express as she can play shortstop, second base and a variety of positions. DeTray has played in seven games, while starting two.  At the plate, she has hit .143 in seven at bats, while scoring two runs and stealing three bases.

Weber is possibly the team’s hardest thrower, according to Lanham, as she can touch 62 MPH. She has a 1.78 ERA with a 4-0 record. In ten appearances, she has started seven and pitched two complete games. Also, she has impressively struck out 48 batters in 35.1 innings pitched. Weber recently picked up two wins in the Region XII District G tournament – including a win in relief in the championship game.

“She’s a very well conditioned athlete,” Lanham said. “She’s really ready to go in any ballgame she’s called upon.”

Genoa grad Courtney Mowery is a utility outfielder for the Express this season. In 17 games, Mowery has hit .375 while starting 12 of those games. In 40 at bats, she has eight runs, three doubles, one triple and six RBIs.

“She understands the work necessary and has been instrumental through her work ethic to help this team be 39-3,” Lanham said.

In addition to those local athletes, Kristen Roznoski of Cardinal Stritch and Alaina Haubert of Gibsonburg have been named to the All-OCCAC team. Haubert was named the conference’s co-player of the year as she has hit .504 this season with a school record 20 doubles in addition to her school record 50 RBIs.

Roznoski is hitting .514 with 60 runs, 19 RBIs, a .539 on base percentage, and 40 stolen bases in 41 attempts.

The team, second in the nation at hitting with a .426 average, is participating in the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament this weekend with their opening game scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. Should they have won that game, the team will play at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The championship is slated for Saturday with the winner being crowned the national champion. Updates, photos, and videos can be seen at www.facebook.com/awinningtradition

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