Sasakwa denies Red Oak bid, wins first softball championship

By Robert Przybylo

Published: October 12, 2008

Sasakwa freshman pitcher Marissa Shaffer had all the nerves of a freshman but played like someone who had been there before.

Shaffer shut down Red Oak's attempt to win a third straight Class B softball championship with a dominating 2-0 win in the final Saturday at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

Red Oak, loaded with Division I talent, had no answer against Shaffer. The freshman struck out 14 with 13 swinging strikeouts.

“I was so nervous before, but I finally relaxed once the first inning started,” Shaffer said. “Once I got there, I felt right at home.”

The Vikings, in their first state tournament appearance of any kind for any girls team, scored their two runs on a two-run, three-base error on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Wynter Wind.

Shaffer said the Vikings were looking forward to a shot at the Eagles. The two did not meet in the regular season.

“We knew about their talent, but we knew we had some good girls as well,” Shaffer said.

Red Oak senior Cayce Coleman only gave up four hits in the defeat. She also had the lone single for the Eagles.

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