Sectional softball: Oran looking to get past Dora

sports@standard-democrat.com

ORAN -- Oran head coach Jim Eftink is an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan.

Knowing the background of one of his favorite teams, Eftink described his district-winning softball team the best way he knew how using the 1980's version of the Redbirds as a template.

"We've got a bunch of little Ozzie Smith's, a Joaqu'n Andújar. . . we just bunt, bunt, bunt," Eftink said. "We don't have any home run hitters. We rely on speed, defense and pitching."

They'll use their version of "Whiteyball" today against Dora as they look to advance in the Class 1 Sectional game at Oran High School.

"They're excited and they've worked hard for it," Eftink said about their recent district championship win over Naylor. "They strived to win the district title and take the next step, especially this group of seniors we have."

It was a change of pace for Oran's seniors following their 8-1 win over Naylor, a team that's defeated Oran the past three postseasons and have won the last four Class 1, District 1 championships.

It was Oran's first district title since 2008.

"A district title was their next step," said Eftink. "Now, they want to keep going and see how far they can go. Hopefully, they can get to the state tournament."

To do that, they'll have to go through Dora at 4 p.m. today.

Dora boasts a 25-2 record and won both of their district tournament games against Bakersfield and Thayer by the 10-run rule. Dora has won the last three District 2 championships but have fallen to Naylor all three times in the Sectional.

"Everybody I've talked to about (Dora) they've said they haven't played anybody," Eftink said. "Well, you don't go 25-2 and have as many shutouts as they have if you don't have a good pitcher and some good hitters on your team. I don't care who you're playing, you can't put up the numbers they've put up without having a good team.

"I told our girls to not take them for granted or look past them. This is our next game and this is what they have to get prepared for."

Oran has done their best to get ready for a long playoff run by playing bigger schools throughout the season. The Lady Eagles, who stand with a 12-4 record, played just four Class 1 teams and pulled off wins against Class 4 opponents such as Jackson and Sikeston on the road.

"You don't know how they're going to compete until they play the bigger schools because the competition is so good," Eftink said. "It benefits us because playing the Jackson's, the Notre Dame's or the Sikeston's, you know what you've got then. Those guys have good teams and I think it makes (our team) better ball players."

Oran's pitching-centered and small-ball mentality has worked to their advantage so far.

Their led by junior pitcher Aubrianna Jones who sports a 10-2 pitching record and a minuscule 0.88 ERA. The lefty recently made the all-district team along with three of her teammates.

"Whenever she's on, she's tough," Eftink said. "She's as good as you're going to get around southeast Missouri when it comes to pitching."

Jones finished with seven strikeouts, three walks and a hit batter against Naylor after shutting out Neelyville in the district semifinals.

Senior Addie Kielhofner is the focal point of Oran's offensive approach.

As their speedy leadoff hitter, Kielhofner sets the table for teammates Tatum May (.404 batting average), Crissy Sauceda (.384) and first-year starter Jamie Kern (.380) by getting on base, stealing second and being driven in by either a base-hit or a desired squeeze play.

Oran has scored an average of five runs a game.

"That's worked for us all year long," Eftink said about his offense. "Hopefully it continues."