The magic number was 15.

Rich Sturm walked into his 14th season as the head coach of the varsity softball team with 285 wins as a head coach for the girls and with 200 wins as a head coach for boys baseball, leaving him 15 wins away from his 300th career win for the girls and his 500th for both boys and girls combined.

Win number 15 came on Sept. 24, a home game against Affton. With a complete game shutout by pitcher Sarah Pattillo (11) and lots of offensive support, the tigers won 10-0.

“We got some key hits throughout the lineup. Girls produced, we stole some bases. We had a couple triples, and a double,” Sturm recalled. “We played great defense and that has been the one thing that we have been able to do consistently throughout the season.”

Winning number 300 and number 500 at OHS has been extra special for Sturm.

“I’ve been fortunate and blessed enough to get a job here, where I grew up and went to school, which is a dream job. For me there’s no other place I would rather be,” said Sturm who now has a record of 300 wins and only 74 losses as the softball head coach at OHS.

“To be fortunate enough to surround myself with really really good people, assistant coaches, great players and kids, it’s just been a dream come true honestly. I mean it’s just been a thrill. I look forward every day I come to work, coaching and teaching.”