Pennington and Collins lumberjack their way to 12-4 victory over Bartlesville

Photo: Scott Emigh

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (26-7) wrapped up the regular season Thursday evening at Bartlesville (12-20) with a 12-4 victory. They will return to action Wednesday as they host a Regional Tournament.

Madelyn Blair (10-2) got the win on the mound, tying her career-best with seven strikeouts and only two walks against seven hits and zero earned runs. Seniors Sydney Pennington and Jessica Collins led the scoring melee, each landing three hits and scoring several runs each. 

Collins got things started for the Lady Sandites with a single in the top of the first and scored on a double from Pennington who was left stranded. The Bruins tied things up in the bottom of the inning after Kiersten Brown reached on an error at first, stole second, advanced to third on a single from Sydney Early, and scored on a throw.

The girls ultimately took the lead in the top of the second after Elizabeth Luttrell drew a walk and scored on an error that reached Blair. Kimi Presnell singled and scored on a double from Collins along with Makenna Skaggs who ran courtesy for Blair. Collins hit a double soon, took third on an error, and scored on an error that reached Pennington to make it 5-1.

Bartlesville put two on base in the bottom of the second with a double from Desi Taylor and a single from Shelbie Roberson, but both were left stranded. Early hit a single in the third but was stranded as well.

Sand Springs added two more runs in the top of the fourth after Felicity Horn and Collins both drew walks and scored on a double from Pennington. The Bruins picked up another run in the bottom of the inning as Kimalee Lawrence singled and scored on an error at third base. 

The Sandites were all over the place in the top of the sixth, starting off with a single from Blair, who was replaced on base by Skaggs. Collins and Pennington both hit singles with Pennington scoring Skaggs. Jacie Taber singled to score Collins, then Sabrina Usher singled to score Pennington. Taber stole second and scored on an error, then Usher scored on a passed ball to make it 12-2. 

The home team added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, but it wasn't enough to come back for the win. Lawrence reached on an error, and Maggie Largess and Roberson singled to load the bases. Brown reached on an error by Blair to score Lawrence and Largess, but Blair put out Roberson on the next play and Early flied out to end the game 12-4.