South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Undefeated Oakville High softball team ‘taking it one game at a time,’ coach says

Even with a 23-0 record, the Oakville Senior High School softball team is taking nothing for granted.

“We’re really taking it one game at a time,” Oakville head coach Rich Sturm told the Call. “I think we’ve done a great job at looking at who we’re playing right now and concentrating on that one team.”

That could be the reason why the Tigers are 23-0 and clinched the Suburban West Conference championship with a 4-0 win over Parkway South Saturday afternoon.

The win over Parkway South elevated Oakville to an impressive 8-0 record in conference play, which hadn’t been accomplished in the Suburban West since the 2005 season when Marquette ran the tables with an 8-0 mark.

“We knew that we he had to win Friday and Saturday to go undefeated in conference play,” Sturm said. “It meant a lot to our girls to accomplish that.”

Starting pitcher Megan Schallom hurled seven scoreless innings for the Tigers, giving up four hits. The senior hurler gave up zero walks and stuck out five in her 16th win of the season. She’s 16-0 with a 0.55 earned-run average.

“Any time you can throw a complete-game shutout against a quality team, it’s impressive,” Sturm said. “The thing about Megan is that she always goes out there and gives you a chance to win.”

Maggie Ruckenbrod led the Tigers with a three-hit performance that included one run batted in. The sophomore catcher has been on fire throughout the season with a .575 batting average and 22 runs batted in.

“Maggie’s having an outstanding season,” Sturm said. “She calls all of the pitches and is having an outstanding season offensively and defensively.”

Oakville first baseman Nicole Norberg also had a solid afternoon at the plate with a two-hit performance that included a walk and one run batted in. The senior infielder is holding down a .348 batting average with 15 runs batted in.

“Nikki’s batted fourth for us for most of the season and has really done a great job,” Sturm said. “She’s such a great leader and defensive first baseman.”

The Tigers are back in action Friday when they face the winner of the Fox-vs.-Northwest District 2 Tournament Quarterfinal.

Northwest (6-17, 1-6 Suburban West) is suffering from a seven-game losing streak. Fox (8-16, 2-6 Suburban West) has won just one of its last seven games, but the Warriors did defeat Northwest 8-4 on Sept. 21.

“We’re not going to overlook anybody,” Sturm said. “Everybody we play is the biggest game of the year for us. Our girls understand that there’s a lot at stake and I think they thrive on that kind of challenge.”

Oakville’s district semifinal game against Fox or Northwest will begin at 4 p.m. at Fox Senior High School.

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