SJO softball competes against bad weather, along with quality foes, in early part of season

The start of the season hasn’t exactly gotten off to a smooth start for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team.

But most of that is beyond the Spartans’ control.

Rain and cold weather has wreaked havoc with the first two weeks of SJO’s schedule as the Spartans have only been able to play three games heading into April.

The Spartans, however, carry a 2-1 record into their Friday game against Homewood-Flossmoor as part of the Rantoul Invitational.

SJO is coming off an 11-6 loss at nonconference foe Normal West on Monday in its latest game, which was preceded by a 20-10 win against Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin on March 24 at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex and a 14-1 win in its season opener against Champaign Central on March 23 at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex.

Shayne Immke led the way offensively for SJO against Normal West, going 2 for 3 with a home run. Peyton Jones and Alyssa Acton also contributed at the plate, going 3 for 4 and Addison Frick was 2 for 2 with a walk.

Maggie Ward threw a complete game for the Spartans in the loss.

Jones had a strong day at the plate in the win against BHRA, supplying three hits and five RBI. Ava Northern, Addy Martinie and Jacey Lewis also finished with three hits as Martinie hit a home run. Ward picked up the win in relief of Acton.

The season opener brought about a comfortable win for the Spartans as Ward shined in the pitcher’s circle, throwing a three-hit complete game and striking out seven.

Immke came a double shy of the cycle with a 3 for 3 performance that included a home run, a triple and three runs scored. Jones was also 3 for 3 with three doubles and three runs scored, while Northern joined in on the fun by going 3 for 3 with a double.

After the Rantoul Invitational is set to conclude on Saturday, the Spartans’ schedule should heat up — along with hopefully the weather, too.

SJO is set to host Bloomington Central Catholic at 4:30 p.m. on Monday in its Illini Prairie Conference opener before playing at Villa Grove at 4:30 p.m. next Tuesday. The Spartans are then scheduled to host Heyworth at 4:30 p.m. next Wednesday and play at Rantoul at 4:30 p.m. next Thursday before wrapping up the week with a 10 a.m. home game on Saturday against Tri-Valley.