By Michael Rich
The Olentangy Orange girls lacrosse team didn’t waste any time — scoring five goals in the first five minutes of Thursday’s game against visiting Delaware Hayes — and never looked back.
The Pioneers rolled to an 18-3 victory while handing the Pacers their fourth straight loss.
“It was an incredible day for the team all around … I’m very proud of them,” Orange coach Megan Noone said.
Brooke Delara scored three goals and assisted on another two — all in the first half — as Orange built a 12-2 lead at the break. Sarah Ramsey also had a hat trick by halftime for the Pioneers (8-5), who snapped a two-game losing streak.
“It was a good game … (Hayes) put up a good fight,” Delara said. “It was definitely fun to get a big win.”
Kailey Collett was the main distributor, leading the Pioneers with four assists to go with one goal.
“I would rather, if the opportunity is open, pass to my teammates,” Collett said. “It’s all about being smart and working as a team.”
Orange had eight different players with multi-point performances in the win, including Regan Keane (three goals), Kailee O’Brien (two goals and an assist), Carly Vroom (two goals and an assist), Rhyann Green (one goal and two assists) and Breea Cristofoli (one goal and one assist).
“(It was) a multi-talented attack,” Noone said. “I told them that I don’t think we’ve proved how great we are yet this season … I think it’s still ahead of us.”
Olivia Shroyer had two goals to lead the Pacers (3-4) and Sydney Henderson scored once.
“It was a tough game … our teams aren’t exactly on a comparable level, but our girls played today with a lot of character, a lot of heart and a lot of integrity. I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Hayes coach Randy Gatenbee said.
“(Shroyer) did well … our attack has been a bright spot for us this year, but it’s a team effort,” he added. “She got the goals, but she would have never gotten down there without the rest of them.”
Next up, Hayes hosts Dayton Chaminade-Julienne Saturday at noon and Orange travels to Dublin Jerome next Friday night at 7 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Buckeye Valley and host Galion only made it through four innings Thursday, but, for the Barons, they were four solid ones.
BV led 4-0 when rain put the game on hold. Logan Hatcher had a single, triple and a run scored, Paige Milhon had a triple and a run scored and Allison Fathbruckner and Kasey Morris had a single to go with a run apiece.
Morris, meanwhile, had a one-hitter going in the circle.
The game will resume on a date to be determined.
Thomas Worthington 7, Olentangy 6
Sydney Wagner had a pair of hits and Ashley post drove in a couple runs, but it wasn’t enough as visiting Thomas Worthington outlasted Olentangy Thursday in Lewis Center.
The Cardinals used a five-run third to take control before the Braves got back in the game with a four-run fourth.
Olentangy plated two runs in its last at-bat, but the comeback fell a run short.
Logan Sutton suffered the loss in the circle.
Also: Mount Vernon 10, Big Walnut 9.
BOYS TENNIS
Orange 5, Franklin Heights 0.
BASEBALL
Galion 3, Buckeye Valley 0; Orange 13, St. Charles 1.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Liberty def. Worthington Kilbourne 25-7, 25-13, 25-15; Pickerington North def. Olentangy 25-18, 25-23, 25-9.
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Follow Michael Rich on Twitter @mrichdelgazette.