OAK HARBOR, Ohio — Update: Oak Harbor lost in the state semifinal to Liberty Union, 6-1.
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When the Oak Harbor Rockets take the field at Firestone Stadium in Akron on Thursday, they'll possess two things: confidence and experience.
"Two years ago we were just happy to make it to state," senior pitcher Alyse Sorg said.
Sorg is one of four current players on the roster who have played on the sport's biggest stage. Classmate and 2024 Northern Buckeye Conference offensive player of the year Porter Gregory is another.
"We've done it before and know what to expect, but now it's make history again," Gregory said. "We made history our sophomore year and now we're going to go one step further hopefully."
In 2022, the program appeared in the OHSAA State Tournament for the first time in school history. A memory that didn't quite possess a happy ending after the Rockets were shut out 5-0 in the semifinal.
This spring however provides a different vibe, for scoring runs has not been an issue at all.
"It takes a lot of pressure off of myself. Everyone in our lineup can hit, so all I have to do is just trust them," Sorg said. "Everyone does their part on the field too so honestly I just try to throw strikes."
Over the past month and a half, Oak Harbor has not lost a game. They've rattled off 18 straight wins and during that span have averaged more than 11 runs per game.
Success that not only led to an outright NBC Championship in the school's first season in the conference since moving out of the Sandusky Bay Conference, but also earned all-conference honors for eight of their players.
"It's playing loose. Our defense has been incredible, along with our offense which is even better," Gregory said. "As long as we stay loose I think we can win two more games."
Unified through success, the task for the Rockets is to now finish the job. Preparing for the moment and aiming to seize an opportunity.
"Those four that played on that team two years ago are coming in a little more comfortable than they were last time," head coach Cami Haas said. "Their leadership and comfortability is going to help with our younger ones."
Three seniors will play in their final game(s) later this week: Reese Adkins, Porter Gregory and Alyse Sorg.
"One more game together. These seniors are some of my favorite humans I've ever come in contact with," Oak Harbor head coach Cami Haas said. "I love them dearly and the fact we were able to get to this final stage and they know when the end is, is a really cool feeling. Something that they are going to remember forever."
The ultimate goal is to bring home a state title, but above all is the experience of playing among Ohio's best. A stage this team is eager to compete on.
"I want to try and go out with bang," Sorg said. "Have fun with it especially."
Her first baseman added, "I just want to have as much fun as I can and remember these moments," Gregory said.
According to the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association, Oak Harbor is ranked sixth in the State with a record of 27-2. On Thursday at 3 p.m., they will play Liberty Union (23-6), out of Baltimore, Ohio, in the Division III state semifinal.
Should they win, the Rockets would advance to battle for a championship on Saturday with the first pitch being 12:45 p.m. in Akron.