CPHS Softball: Stillwater tops Sandites 10-7 at Regional Championship

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A Cinderella story unfolded Thursday evening at the Sandite Softball Complex, but unfortunately for Sand Springs, Stillwater was the protagonist. The Lady Pioneers came into the tournament with a .500 record and a 12-2 loss to Sand Springs earlier in the season, but after falling 2-0 to the Sandites on Wednesday they battled back through the loser’s bracket and beat them 7-5 and 10-7 to put an end to the home team’s five-year streak of Regional titles.

Sand Springs came out strong and loaded the bases in the top of the first, but only scored one run. Aliyah Taff hit an RBI single to bring in JoLee McNally, prompting a Pioneer pitching change. Kendyl Prichard took over and threw a strikeout, then Lyric Perry caught a line drive at second to strand the side. Taff recorded another RBI in the third, scoring Raegan Rector on a ground out for the 2-0 lead.

Sidney McLaughlin tied things up for the Pioneers with a two-run homer in the bottom of the third and Addyson Brown scored on an error for the lead. McLaughlin had another big hit in the fourth, scoring Kaylee Linsenmeyer and Alex Griffin on a double to make it 5-2.

Olivia Alexander and McNally hit RBI singles in the top of the sixth and Lauren Hammock tagged up on a line out from Rector to tie it. Jaden Jordan singled to bring in McNally for the lead, then scored on an error to make it 7-5. Unfortunately for Sand Springs, Stillwater would have an equally successful inning.

The Pioneers loaded the bases, McLaughlin hit an RBI single, Griffin walked in, Camryn Westbrook scored on an error, and Perry hit an RBI double for the final run of the game. Madison Lee managed a single in the top of the seventh, but was left stranded as Stillwater secured the upset.

Nataley Crawford (7-1, 10-3) received the loss for Sand Springs, throwing one hit, two strikeouts, and two walks in 1.2 innings, and Taff (17-6, 34-20) threw 10 hits, two strikeouts, and two walks in 4.1 innings. Prichard got the win for the Pioneers with nine hits, two strikeouts, and two walks in 5.1 innings. Makenzi Swick got the start for Stillwater and threw four hits, two strikeouts, and one walk in 1.2 innings.

The Sandites’ five-year streak of State Tournament appearances came to an end, and with it the high school careers of Makenzie Burks, Drew Hawkins, Lee, and Taff. Despite failing to make the State Tournament, this team did pull off the Sandites’ best win percentage since 2012 with a 25-7 record.

Stillwater (19-16) will return to action Thursday at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.