Lady Sandites win double-header shutouts over Norman, once by run-rule

Photo://SCOTT EMIGH

By: Virgil Noah, Marketing Director

The Charles Page High School Lady Sandite Softball team (7-3, 2-0) swept a district doubleheader against the Norman High School Tigers (2-5, 2-5) behind strong pitching performances by Jacie Taber (3-1) and Madelyn Blair (2-2). 

In the first leg of the doubleheader, the Sandites found themselves up 1-0 after the first inning. Felicity Horn drew a walk, then advanced to second on a sacrifice by Jessica Collins. Horn took third base on a wild pitch, then scored on a passed ball. 

Norman looked to get things going for themselves offensively in the top half of the fourth inning with a lead-off single from Taylor Bell, but she was caught sleeping and was picked off at first base on a great throw by Sand Springs catcher Sabrina Usher and the next two Tigers were retired in order. 

The Tigers looked to score once more in the fifth inning, putting runners on second and third with two after two hit by pitches and a sacrifice, but Taber got her team out of danger by striking out Taylor Woodin swinging to end the inning. 

Charles Page wouldn't need any more runs to win, but they got some insurance in their half of the fifth inning. A multitude of errors by Norman and RBI base hits by Collins and Madelyn Blair led to runs scored by Clemons, Horn, and Collins. 

Taber pitched seven shutout innings striking out six batters, and Sand Springs picked up the win by a final of 4-0.

The second match-up went a lot like the first. The Lady Sandites scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and they would not relinquish their lead from there. Horn scored on a single by Madelyn Blair, Collins scored on a passed ball, and Usher hit a single that scored Blair.

The fourth inning saw RBI singles by Rachel Blair and Collins, as well as an RBI double from Oklahoma State University commit Sydney Pennington.

The Lady Sandites scored their final three runs in the sixth inning after several passed balls and errors and won the game 10-0 by run rule. Madelyn Blair pitched six shutout innings striking out seven batters, and also had a pair of RBI.

Sand Springs is next scheduled to play a district doubleheader on Thursday at home against Sapulpa High School (1-8, 0-2). First pitch is at 5:00 p.m.