CPHS Softball: Sandites slam Tahlequah 8-0 in season opener

The Lady Sandite Fast-Pitch Softball team kicked off the season with a bang Thursday afternoon in Tahlequah, shutting out the Tigers 8-0 behind a stellar pitching performance from Jacie Taber.

Taber, an uncommitted Division One prospect, threw four strikeouts, one walk, and one hit in the five-inning outing. She also hit two singles on three at-bats with two runs and two RBI.

Sand Springs was supposed to start their season Tuesday morning at the Claremore Festival, but both games were cancelled due to weather. Tahlequah, meanwhile, had little difficulty in rattling off a pair of double-digit wins at the Pryor Festival.

The Sandites' late start put them to no disadvantage and they needed only a single inning to find their rhythm against the 5A powerhouse. 

In the second inning Taber and Elizabeth Luttrell hit a pair of singles and Felicity Horn walked to load the bases. Makenna Skaggs batted in Luttrell, Cameron Clemons batted in Taber, and Madelyn Blair batted in Horn for a quick 3-0 advantage.

Sabrina Usher kicked off the third inning with a double, Luttrell and Taber both singled again, and Usher and Luttrell both scored on Taber's hit. Taber came in on a double from Skaggs to double the score. 

Drew Hawkins drew a walk in the fourth and came in on a double from Usher, who scored the final run of the game on a ground out from Luttrell. 

Emily Sampson snagged Tahlequah's only hit of the night on a single to left field in the bottom of the fourth, but three quick fly outs left the Tiger stranded. 

The Sandites will return to action Friday afternoon at the Broken Arrow Tournament with a triple header at Arrowhead Park. Sand Springs will play Choctaw (1-0) at 1:30 p.m., Pocola (3-0) at 3:00 p.m., and Fort Gibson (0-0) at 5:00 p.m. All three games will be played on Field 7. Arrowhead Park is located at 300 East Washington Street in Broken Arrow.