It was a night of firsts for the Oviedo softball team when the Lions opened the 2021 campaign Tuesday night.
Freshman Riley Fennell homered to the left side of the field in her first varsity at-bat in the season opener to help Oviedo defeat cross-town rival Hagerty for the first time since 2015.
Oviedo’s 3-1 win broke an eight-game losing streak vs. the Huskies, according to MaxPreps schedules. Hagerty, a 2018 state champion, has consistently ranked among the top teams in the area in recent years.
“It gives us a sense that if we work together, we can get it done against the harder teams that maybe we couldn’t beat the last few years,” said Fennell, a starting corner outfielder.
Fennell’s home run, which accounted for all three runs in the win, came in the first inning while batting fourth in the lineup.
“It was a little stressful at first because I had two strikes on me when I hit it,” Fennell said. “I was just trying to get my bat on the ball to make contact and move the runners, but I didn’t think it was [a home run]. I thought it was a pop-fly, but it just kept going.”
Cat Buckner struck out seven batters and Daryn Miller finished 2-for-4 with a triple and one run scored to help the home run hold up for the Lions.
“I saw it went over and was so excited and pumped up,” Fennell said. “Once I got back into the dugout it hit me, and I realized what just happened.”
The excitement resonated throughout the dugout. Among the teammates offering their approval was Fennell’s older sister, Logan Ferrell, a senior who is sidelined with an arm injury.
“She was just happy that one of us was able to do something,” Riley said with a laugh.
Oviedo, which was 10-3 last spring before the season was canceled due to COVID-19, was unable to build on Tuesday’s momentum. The Lions (1-1) lost 2-0 on Thursday against Seminole (2-0) in their home opener.
Oviedo is scheduled to host Lyman (2-0) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. before continuing its Seminole Athletic Conference slate on the road Wednesday at Lake Howell (0-1) and Friday against Winter Springs (1-0).
This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email J.C. Carnahan at jcarnahan@orlandosentinel.com.
