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Supplying the power

Ursuline’s Ogden setting new marks in historic season

Staff photo / Joel Whetzel Ursuline’s Paige Ogden swings at a pitch during the Irish’s 7-2 win over Cardinal Mooney on Monday. Ogden has a school-record nine home runs this season.

YOUNGSTOWN — In her final season with Ursuline softball, Paige Ogden is going out with a bang.

The Irish have raced out to an impressive 14-1 start, and Ogden is playing a huge role in that. The senior recently set the UHS school record for home runs in a season after blasting her ninth shot of the year. That came during a two-game tear in which Ogden hit five homers.

Ogden says the recent tear begins with her mental approach.

“It’s just relaxing in my mindset,” she said, later adding, “When I’m relaxed in the box and just snap my hands through, I do (hit well).”

As impressive as the power is, her versatility in the batter’s box stands out to Ursuline coach Kristina Dugan.

“She can throw a bunt down, she’s quick, she’s aggressive and she has a good eye,” Dugan said. “I can’t say enough good things about her hitting-wise.”

That’s fueled in part by Ogden’s poise and hard work, Dugan added.

“Her confidence and poise — it’s almost like an ‘everything’s going to be okay’ kind of thing,” Dugan said. “I think that’s what’s great about her. She leads by example.”

That lends itself to Ogden even when things aren’t going well, Dugan noted.

“She’s a hard worker, and she’s never going to give up. So when she’s not (hitting well), she’s going to work hard to do better,” Dugan said.

In addition to her impressive batting, Ogden has been a steady force in the circle and the field.

As a pitcher, Ogden went the distance in a 7-2 victory over Cardinal Mooney on Monday. She struck out a career-high 17 batters in the victory and walked just one.

That was the latest in a string of impressive outings for the senior. In Ursuline’s season-opening 12-2 win against Madison, she went five innings and fanned 10. She struck out 10 again in a seven-inning performance in a 2-1 win against Louisville on April 13, and on April 20 struck out 14 in eight innings against Field Local.

Ogden, who also plays volleyball at Ursuline, said she’s drawn to softball by her competitive nature, as well as her teammates and the atmosphere of the game. She’s played since she was a kid.

Her career will continue after graduation, as she’s committed to Mount Vernon Nazarene University, an NAIA program about 40 miles northeast of Columbus. She plans to study network engineering.

Ogden said she was drawn to MVNU’s coaching staff, as well as its program atmosphere.

“Since it’s NAIA, I was able to practice with the team, and I loved how hardcore it is,” she said. “And I love the campus and everything they have to offer.”

Right now, though, Ogden has unfinished business. Ursuline has rattled off six-straight wins since suffering its only defeat of the year, a 16-8 loss to Eastlake North on April 14, and hosts Walsh Jesuit on Thursday.

When the postseason begins, the Irish will be the No. 2 seed in the Leavittsburg District, and will face the winner of LaBrae and Grand Valley on May 12 at Youngstown State.

jwhetzel@tribtoday.com

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