Stillwater defeats Sandites 9-7, Sandites must win 3-straight games to advance to State

Photo: Scott Emigh

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (27-8) got off to a great start at Regionals Wednesday, shutting out Claremore (12-22) 8-0, then taking a 7-2 lead over Stillwater (25-12) into the seventh inning. The Lady Pioneers wouldn't go down without a fight, however, and rallied for seven runs in the seventh to put the game away and send Sand Springs to the consolation bracket where they will now have to win all three games of a triple-header to earn their way to the State Championship. 

Neither team landed a hit till the bottom of the third when the Sandites took a 2-0 lead. Madelyn Blair reached on an error at shortstop and was joined on base by freshman Felicity Horn who singled on a full count. Both runners scored on a double from Jessica Collins, who was joined by Sydney Pennington and Makenna Skaggs to load the bases. None of the runners would score, however, as Collins was put out at home and Skaggs was put out at second on a double play.

Pennington, an Oklahoma State University committed senior with a .564 batting average, was intentionally walked three times in the game and was never allowed to hit.

Stillwater tied things up in the top of the fourth with two hits and a trio of walks. After striking out Julia Cottrill, sophomore pitcher Jacie Taber (10-6) struck Alexis Hoang with the pitch, gave up a single to Taylor Tuck, and hit Morgan Rohwer with the pitch to load the bases. She then walked in a run and gave up a single to Laikyn Anderson to tie things up at 2-2. Rohwer was forced out at home on a fielder's choice, and Sage Fluty fried out to right field to bring in the Sandites.

The Lady Sandites exploded for three more runs in the bottom of the inning after Rachel Blair drew a walk, Presnell doubled, and Madelyn Blair doubled to score both runners. Horn was walked next, Collins was put out on a fielder's choice to land Collins at first, but Pennington was walked to load the bases. Taber hit a single to bring in Horn, but a fly out from Sabrina Usher brought the inning to a close at 5-4.

Taber struck out the first two batters of the fifth inning and put out Hoang at first to bring her team back in where Elizabeth Luttrell hit her second home run of the day to make it 6-2. Rachel Blair was walked once again, and like the first time, scored on a double from her sister.

Neither team landed a hit in the sixth inning and with only one inning left to play it looked like the Sandites had it all wrapped up. Stillwater, however, managed three hits and capitalized on Sandite errors and walks to come from behind for the win. 

Anderson reached on an error by Madelyn Blair at third base, was joined by Hunter White with a single, and scored on a single from Fluty. Gracie Ore walked to load the bases, and Cottrill was walked to score White. Hoang smacked a double to bring in Fluty and Ore, then Tuck walked to reload the bases. Rohwer reached on an error by Pennington at shortstop to score courtesy runner Landry Leming, then Hoang tagged up on a fly out by Taylor Lane to take the lead. Tuck tagged up on a fly out by Anderson for the final run of the game before White grounded out to bring in the Sandites.

Sand Springs was unable to land a hit and the Pioneers secured the victory. The Pioneers went through three pitchers over the course of the game, with Lane, Rohwer, and Caitlin Fluty all seeing action. Fluty got the win on the mound, giving up two hits and no walks with one strikeout. Taber got the loss with five hits, nine runs, five earned runs, seven strikeouts, and seven walks. 

The Sandites will return to action Thursday at noon when they replay Claremore who advanced through the consolation bracket with a 10-2 win over Sapulpa (9-20). The Sandites will not only have to beat Claremore to get a rematch with Stillwater, but they'll have to beat Stillwater twice to win the Regional and advance to State. Last year the Sandites battled their way back through the Consolations with three-straight wins after an upset by Claremore, and went on to play the State Championship game where they lost 4-3.

Luttrell hits home run in 8-0 playoff shutout over Claremore

Elizabeth "Lizard" Luttrell hit her second career home run in an 8-0 victory over Claremore. (Photo: Scott Emigh)

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (27-7) won their first game of the Regional Tournament by 8-0 shutout Wednesday afternoon at the Sandite Softball Complex. The Lady Sandites defeated the Claremore Red Zebras (11-22) in their first meeting this season and will wait till 6:00 p.m. to face the winner of the Sapulpa (9-18) vs Stillwater (23-12) game.

The Lady Sandites took the lead once and for all in the top of the second inning as freshman Sabrina Usher hit a leadoff double and scored on a double from Elizabeth Luttrell on the very next play.

Luttrell went at it again in the third with a solo home run, then Rachel Blair and Kimi Presnell both hit doubles. Presnell scored Blair, and was in-turn brought in on a single by Felicity Horn. Madelyn Blair hit a single and was replaced by courtesy runner Makenna Skaggs. Skaggs and Horn both scored on a double from Oklahoma State commit Sydney Pennington, who was left stranded as the Sandites came in with a 6-0 advantage. 

Luttrell added yet another run in the top of the fourth, scoring on a 2RBI double from Madelyn Blair that also brought in her sister, Rachel Blair for the final two runs of the game. 

The Zebras landed three hits throughout the game, walked three, and had one reach on an error and another on a fielder's choice, but ultimately stranded six players and scored none in their sixth shutout loss of the season. 

Madelyn Blair (11-2) got her eleventh-straight win on the mound with six strikeouts, against three walks and three hits with zero runs. The sophomore currently holds a 1.31 ERA for the season.

As a team the girls batted .424 with fourteen hits, including seven doubles, and only one strikeout. The girls committed only one error in the game. 

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.

Jacie Taber pitches nine strikeouts in 10-3 victory over Skiatook

Photo: Scott Emigh

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (26-7) hosted Skiatook (11-14) for their final home game of the season last Tuesday and sent the Lady Bulldogs home with a 10-3 loss.

Sophomore Jacie Taber (10-5) got the win on the mound with nine strikeouts against eight walks, four hits, and one earned run. She started off the night on fire and put out the side in order to start the first inning. She scooped a ground ball from Mikael Bunn for the putout at first, then struck out Morgan Worley and Payton Kennedy to bring her team in to bat.

Freshman Felicity Horn hit a leadoff single to set the tone for the game, and was batted in by Jessica Collins who reached on error. Oklahoma State commit Sydney Pennington walked. Collins was batted in by Taber. Pennington scored on a sacrifice fly by Sabrina Usher and Taber scored on a single from Cameron Clemons. Clemons was brought in with a double from Kimi Presnell who was left stranded as the Sandites took a 5-0 lead. 

The visiting team got on the board in the top of the second. Taber struck out Alexis Garcia to start the inning, but Tayler Anglen hit a single and Jacey Mashburn was hit by pitch. Piper Hand reached on a failed fielder's choice to load the bases. Michaela Latty sent a groundball to Clemons at third who tried to put out Anglen at home, but the runner was too fast and scored with the bases still loaded. The Sandites were able to pull out of their predicament, however, putting out Mashburn at home on the next play, and Bunn flied out to end the inning 5-1.

The girls pilled on the runs in the bottom of the second, starting with a leadoff double from Horn who scored on a leadoff double from Collins. Collins was brought in on first pitch double from Pennington who eventually claimed third base and home plate on passed balls to make it 8-1. 

The Lady Dogs found their second and third runs in the top of the fourth thanks to a pair of walks for Hand and Latty. Hand scored on a passed ball and Latty came in on a single from Rosa Guardiola. 

Pennington tacked on another double to start the bottom of the fourth and ultimately scored on a hit from Clemons who reached on the failed fielder's choice. Usher added the final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, hitting a leadoff double and scoring on a wild pitch with Presnell at bat.

Lady Sandite Softball takes second place at Tahlequah Tournament

Photo: Scott Emigh

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (24-7) traveled to Northeastern State University this weekend for the Tahlequah Tournament and came in second place by a single run. After winning their first four games, the Lady Sandites met the Union Redskins (25-10) in the finals. Both teams came in runners-up in their districts this past week and both are looking to put their best foot forward in their upcoming Regional Tournaments.

SEE RELATED: Jacie Taber pitches no-hitter in 1-0 tournament win over Muskogee
SEE RELATED: Elizabeth Luttrell's three-run homer secures 4-0 shutout over Moore
SEE RELATED: Lady Sandite Softball hammers Jay 14-2 in three innings
SEE RELATED: Sydney Pennington pitches no-hitter in 8-1 victory over Muldrow

Union came through the larger of the two pools and had to win five games to get to the finals. The Redskins won 9-1 over Tahlequah (19-12), 9-1 over Fort Gibson (26-9), and 10-1 over Booker T Washington (8-23) in day one. On Saturday they topped Locust Grove (11-19) 16-0 and Berryhill (15-19) 7-2 to earn their way into the championship round. 

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The Sandites did themselves in early in the top of the first, giving up three hits, an error, and a pair of passed balls. MacKenzie Addis hit a single to start the game. Sammy Ibison reached on an error and Lexy Dobson singled to load the bases. 

Sophomore pitcher Jacie Taber (9-5) struck out Sammy Dutton swinging, but Britton Clark singled to score Addis and reload the bases. Ibison and Dobson both scored on passed balls before Taber struck out Erika Reed and Toni Weese to bring the inning to a close.

The Sandites failed to get on base in the bottom of the inning and neither team reached in the second. 

The Redskins added their fourth run in the top of the third. Taber struck out Dutton and Clark, but gave up a single to Dobson and walked Ibison and Reed to load the bases. Ibison scored on a wild pitch, but further damage was averted as freshman catcher Sabrina Usher caught a foul ball from Weese to end the inning and strand the runners.

The Sandites had their big inning in the bottom of the third. Cameron Clemons reached on an error, Elizabeth Luttrell singled, and Felicity Horn hit a single to score Clemons. Jessica Collins hit a two run double to bring in Luttrell and Horn, but was left stranded as Taber and Sydney Pennington both sent balls to Dobson in center field.

Both teams got their defense in check in the fourth inning and neither team got on base again till the sixth. Reed was walked in the top of the inning but was left stranded and Pennington was stranded on second after hitting a double. 

Taber got the loss on the mound despite giving up only four hits, two earned runs, and three walks against eight strikeouts. 

The Lady Sandites have only two games left this season before the Regional Tournament. The girls will host Skiatook (11-13) Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. and will wrap up the regular season Thursday at Bartlesville (12-19). 

Sydney Pennington pitches no-hitter in 8-1 victory over Muldrow

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (24-6) finished pool play 4-0 Saturday at the Northeastern State University high school tournament in Tahlequah after topping Muldrow (14-16) 8-1 behind undefeated senior pitcher Sydney Pennington (5-0). The Oklahoma State commit pitched five strikeouts and seven walks with no hits and one run in the three inning game. 

SEE RELATED: Jacie Taber pitches no-hitter in 1-0 tournament win over Muskogee

SEE RELATED: Elizabeth Luttrell's three-run homer secures 4-0 shutout over Moore

SEE RELATED: Lady Sandite Softball hammers Jay 14-2 in three innings

The Lady Sandites jumped on the Bulldogs early in the top of the first as Felicity Horn drew a walk and Jessica Collins singled. Pennington hit a single and Horn scored on a passed ball to get the girls on the board. Madelyn Blair hit a single to score Collins, Pennington advanced home on a throw, and Sabrina Usher sacrificed to score Blair for the 4-0 lead. 

It took Pennington a few at-bats to find her rhythm, pitching for the first time in over two weeks, and she walked the first three batters to load the bases. Payton Watts grounded out score Ashlynn Flute, but it would be the lone run of the game. Pennington struck out the next batter swinging and the rest of the game went about the same.

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In the top of the second Elizabeth Luttrell singled, Horn reached on an error, Collins singled, and Jacie Taber reached on error to score Luttrell and Horn. Taber and Collins were left stranded, however,

Pennington struck out two, walked one on balls, and struck two with the pitch in the bottom of the second, but despite loading the bases, she pulled out the inning with a strikeout.

Freshman Sabrina Usher doubled in the top of the third and advanced to home on a throw. Kimi Presnell singled and scored on a single from Luttrell to make it 8-1, and Pennington struck out two batters in the bottom of the inning to win the game 8-1.