CPHS Softball: Sandites win third-straight Regional Championship

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The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (23-7) is headed to the OSSAA 6A State Championship for the third-straight year after winning a 3-0 shutout against the Bixby Spartans (28-10) Friday afternoon in a home Regional Tournament.

The Lady Sandites started the tournament Tuesday with wins over Enid and Bixby. While the Sandites trounced Enid (4-26) 14-4, the Spartans rolled over Putnam City North (21-14) 15-5. After Sand Springs edged the Spartans out 3-1 on day one, Bixby had to wait through two days of rain delays before beating Putnam 13-9 in the consolation bracket to earn a rematch with the Sandites. It was a long and scoreless day before the Sandites finally got on the scoreboard with a home run from Sabrina Usher, but that was the only run they needed.

The State Tournament will be held at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City from October 12th through 14th. It is a single-elimination three-round tournament. Last year the Sandites fell 10-2 to Mustang in the first round, but in 2015 they made it to the Championship Finals before falling 4-3 to Choctaw. 

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In the win against Enid, the Sandites jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with runs from Usher and Kimi Presnell. The Pacers scored one run in the top of the second but Elizabeth Luttrell hit a three-run homer in the same inning. Makenna Skaggs walked in on loaded bases for the 6-1 lead. 

Enid battled back with four-straight hits in the third to cut the deficit to 6-3, but Drew Hawkins and Luttrell added another pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Luttrell batted in Jacie Taber and Hawkins in the fourth, Enid scored their final run in the fifth, then Taber, Clemons, and Makenna and Kinsey Skaggs, pushed the lead to double-digits for a run-rule victory.

Madelyn Blair (6-3 season, 19-6 career) got the win on the mound with four strikeouts, one walk, and eight hits.

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In the second round of Regionals, the Spartans scored their only run in the top of the second thanks to a rough start by Taber (16-2, 29-9). The junior Northern Iowa-commit walked four batters and gave up a free run before finding her mojo. She finished the game with eight walks, seven strikeouts, and only two hits. 

The Sandites trailed till the bottom of the fifth when Cameron Clemons scored on a hit from Presnell to tie the game. Taber scored the go-ahead runs with a homer to bring in Kinsey Skaggs in the sixth inning.

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The Sandites congratulate Usher on a home run in the second game against Bixby.

Presnell started things off with a leadoff double but was caught stealing third and Makenna Skaggs struck out. Usher singled on a full count, Jensen Arnold walked, and Taber reached on an error to load the bases but they were left stranded as Horn went down swinging.

Taber walked the first batter then put out the second on a sacrifice bunt. Usher caught a pop fly for the second out, Taber walked another, then recorded her first strikeout of the afternoon to save the inning.

Meredith Iden struck out the side in the second inning and quickly brought her team in for another offensive. Taber gave up one hit in the bottom of the inning but caught a line drive and struck out one to end the inning.

Two-for-two, Presnell started the third inning with yet another leadoff double. This time she took third on a sacrifice bunt but was left stranded after the next two batters grounded out. The defensive battle continued with a strikeout and a pair of pop flys to end the third scoreless.

The Sandite pitcher started the the fourth with a single and courtesy runner Drew Hawkins took second on a bunt from Horn but was left stranded after Clemons hit a pop fly to second and Blair lined out to short. Iden was on the receiving end of a strikeout in the bottom of the inning. The next batter flied out to Skaggs then Presnell sent a ground ball to Luttrell on first to bring in the fifth.

With one out on the board, Presnell was swinging for the fence and bounced one off the wall in foul territory. Her next hit was a grounder to third for a put out at first and it came down to Skaggs to keep the drive alive. She went the way of Presnell, however, and the Spartans came in again.

Taber hit the first batter with the pitch, but the runner was picked off by Usher at first base. Blair fielded a ground ball for out number two but the Spartans hit a double to put the Sandites on their toes. Taber wasn't phased and casually tossed a ground ball to first for the third out.

Usher got the Sandites on the board with a solo homer to start the sixth and Arnold followed up with a line drive single into right field. Kinsey Skaggs took over on first but was left stranded as Bixby came in to try and even things up.

Taber struck out two and Makenna Skaggs caught out the third and it was down to the final stretch. Blair hit a leadoff single but courtesy runner Hawkins was put out on a fielder's choice. Presnell advanced Luttrell with a single, then Makenna Skaggs hit a single and all three runners advanced on the throw. Luttrell made it a two run game, then Usher hit a sacrifice fly to score Presnell. Skaggs narrowly beat the ball the third with a dive, but was left stranded on a fly out.

It was make or break for the Spartans who needed four runs for the win or three to force extra innings. Makenna Skaggs caught a fly ball for the first out and Taber struck out the next two to punch their ticket to Statesville.

The Sandite pitcher ended the game with three hits, three walks, and seven strikeouts.

CPHS Softball: Elizabeth Luttrell hits four RBI in 12-1 win over Skiatook

Charles Page High School junior Elizabeth Luttrell had a perfect night batting as the Lady Sandites (20-7) rolled to a 12-1 victory over Skiatook (13-18). The first baseman landed three hits on three at-bats, scoring one run and four RBI to account for a third of the Sandites' offense. 

Sand Springs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Kimi Presnell walked, Makenna Skaggs singled, both stole bases, and Presnell scored on a sacrifice bunt from Sabrina Usher. Skaggs scored soon after on a single from Jacie Taber. Presnell was in on the next score as well, doubling to bring in Luttrell.

The Sandites loaded the bases in the third inning with singles from Taber and Usher and a walk from Jensen Arnold. Cameron Clemons was hit by pitch to walk in Usher, then all three runners scored on a double from Luttrell for the 7-1 advantage.

The fourth inning saw the home team take a double-digit lead. Taber doubled to bring in Skaggs and Usher, Felicity Horn singled to score Taber, Madelyn Blair singled to score Horn, and Luttrell singled to score Clemons. 

The Bulldogs managed two singles in the top of the fifth, but couldn't find home plate and the Sandites secured the run-rule victory. 

Blair (5-3 season, 18-5 career) recorded three strikeouts, four walks, and three hits in the five inning game.

The Lady Sandites will return to action Thursday with a home game against Bartlesville (16-18).

CPHS Softball: Lady Sandites snap losing streak with 2-straight wins at UCO

The Charles Page High School softball team (19-7 overall, 8-2 district) dropped their fourth-straight game Friday afternoon at the University of Central Oklahoma Tournament, but rebounded with a 4-3 victory over the 4A District 4 Champions from Newcastle (25-8), then hammered Midwest City (12-20) 10-2.

The 6A District 3 Runners-Up from Union (23-12) avenged an 8-1 loss from the Bixby Tournament with a 4-3 victory in the third round of the UCO tourney. Sophomore pitcher Kallie Lund held the Sandites to their lowest batting performance to-date with only four hits. She recorded only one strikeout, but gave up zero walks.

Leading Sandite slugger, junior Kimi Presnell hit a double to start the game, took third on a sacrifice fly from Makenna Skaggs, then scored on a single from Sabrina Usher to put the first run on the board. 

Union returned the favor in the bottom of the first as Samantha Ibison, AD Young, and Britton Clark all singled to load the bases. Samantha Dutton hit a ground ball to score Ibison. Jacie Taber sent the ball to home where Usher tagged out Young, then Usher found Cameron Clemons at third for the double-play. Dutton made it home on the next play thanks to a single from Hailey McPherson for the 2-1 lead.

Junior pitcher Madelyn Blair (4-3 season, 17-5 career) hit one batter with the pitch in the bottom of the second. Ibison reached on a fielder's choice, then scored on a double from Young for the 3-1 lead.

Usher reached second on an error in the top of the fourth, stole third, then scored on a throwing error from the catcher. Usher had a hand in the third run as well, scoring Presnell with a bunt to tie the game. The redskins secured the win in the bottom of the seventh with a walk off home run from Clark.

That evening the Sandites came out on the other end of a similar game, winning the 4-3 bout with Newcastle on a walk off in the bottom of the seventh. 

The Sandites jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with a double from Taber to score Skaggs and Usher in the bottom of the first. The Racers scored runs in the first and fourth to tie it up before taking the lead in the fifth with an RBI single from Anna Cox. Usher tied things up in the same inning, reaching on an error, stealing third, and scoring on another error. 

Elizabeth Luttrell secured the walk off victory with a fly ball to score Drew Hawkins, who was placed on second by International Tie-Breaker rules. 

Taber (14-2, 27-9) recorded the win on the mound with three strikeouts, two walks, and six hits. She also got the win against Midwest City with three strikeouts, one walk, and five hits.

Hawkins and Felicity Horn were first to score, coming home on an error by the short stop. The Lady Bombers struck back right away, putting two on base with a single and an error. Both runners scored on a single from Ashlynn Williams and the game had the appearance of a shootout. Unfortunately for Midwest City, those would be their only runs of the game.

Blair doubled to score Horn in the fourth, then Luttrell doubled to score Blair. Usher reached on an error in the fifth and scored on a double from Arnold. Arnold scored on a single from Clemons, Hawkins scored on a single from Blair, Horn and Clemons both scored on a single from Luttrell, and Blair scored on a double from Presnell for the 10-2 lead before time expired. 

The Lady Sandites will get to spend the next several games at home, returning to action Tuesday with a 5:00 p.m. game against Skiatook (13-16). The last game of the regular season will be Thursday against Bartlesville (16-16), then the Sandites will host a home Regional the next week.

CPHS Softball: Sandites finish second in District play, will host Regional Tournament

The Charles Page High School Softball team (17-6 overall, 8-2 district) has hit a bit of a rough patch this past week, dropping four of their last five games, but it doesn't come without a silver lining. All four losses came at the hands of top-tier State-contending teams, and only two held playoff implications. 

After going 0-2 against Broken Arrow (31-3, 10-0) the Lady Sandites were unable to secure a district title, but their second-place finish earned them a home Regional. Regional Tournament pairings will be released September 27th. The tournaments are double-elimination with the eight winning teams advancing to the State Tournament at Oklahoma City in October. The Lady Sandites have advanced to the State Championship for the past two seasons, falling in the quarterfinals last year and falling 4-3 to Choctaw in the 2015 finals. 

On Wednesday's District-finale against Broken Arrow, the Sandites hit just as well as their foes and left fewer runners on base, but were unable to overcome four errors and six walks.

Freshman pitcher Aliyah Taff (0-2) pitched the first full game of her career, giving up ten hits, five earned-runs, and six walks, with one strikeout. The Sandites recorded four runs in the first two innings for an early lead, but were unable to find home plate again, ultimately falling 9-4.

Broken Arrow was first on the scoreboard thanks to an error at first base. Grace Jarvis reached on a fielder's choice, stole second base, then scored on a ground ball from Raegan Edwards. Sand Springs wasted no time in tying things up as Kimi Presnell singled in the same inning and scored on a hit from Madelyn Blair. 

Elizabeth Luttrell made up for her first inning's error by catching passes from Presenll and Taff for a quick second-inning no-hitter, and the Sandites came in for their biggest offensive output of the game. Junior Cameron Clemons opened things up with a double into left field, followed by a single from Jensen Arnold. Clemons and courtesy runner Rachel Jones both scored on a double from University of Northern Iowa-commit Jacie Taber, who in turn scored on a sacrifice fly from Presnell. 

The Tigers' next run also came on an error after McKenzie Carney walked and came in on a mistake at third base. The Sandites stranded two of their own runners in the bottom of the third, then stranded loaded bases from the Tigers after Taff walked three in the top of the fourth. The Tigers scored yet another run-by-error in the top of the fifth, loading the bases with a pair of walks and a single from Chloe Jameson. Maci Cole sent a ground ball past Taff, opening the door for Jameson to make it a 4-3 deficit.

Broken Arrow finally took the lead in the top of the sixth after Jarvis singled and came in on a home run from Edwards. The visitors' break-out inning came in the seventh with four runs thanks to four singles, a passed ball, and an error by Sabrina Usher. Usher and Blair both hit infield flies in the bottom of the inning and Luttrell sent a ground ball to second base to finish the game. 

On Thursday the Sandites traveled to Edmond for a tournament on the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian University campuses. They lost both games, but both were close losses to quality programs. 

Their first game was a rehash of the 2015 State Title game as they fell 4-3 to the District 1 Champions from Choctaw (21-8). In the next round they fell 6-2 to Westmoore (20-11).

Taber (12-2 season, 25-9 career) got the loss on the mound against Choctaw with eight hits, one earned run, one walk, and one strikeout. Taff got the loss against Westmoore with eight hits, three earned runs, one strikeout, and one walk. 

The Sandites scored all three of their runs against Choctaw in the bottom of the first. Presnell singled then scored on a single from Usher. Luttrell drew a walk and both scored on a triple from Felicity Horn. 

Choctaw scored with a triple in the second, then tied it up in the fourth with two hits, an error, and a walk. The Yellowjackets took the lead in the top of the fifth, putting two on base with an error and a single. Emma Jackson advanced to third on a wild pitch, then came in on a sacrifice fly from Jaidyn Stevens. 

Usher and Blair both reached in the fifth and were left stranded, then Horn and Clemons were stranded in the bottom of the sixth to end the game.

Sand Springs managed only four hits to the Jaguars' eight, and committed two errors while only benefiting from one. 

The Sandites struck first with a double from Clemons to score Taber, but Westmoore hit back right away with a two singles, an error, a walk, and two passed balls in the bottom of the second for a 3-1 lead. 

Presnell was hit by pitch in the top of the third, made second on a single from Makenna Skaggs, then scored on a wild pitch for the last Sandite run of the game. 

Westmoore hit three singles and a triple in the bottom of the fourth and the rest of the game went scoreless.

Sand Springs will play Newcastle (24-6) and Union (22-11) at the tournament on Friday, then will host Skiatook (13-16) and Bartlesville (16-16) next week before Regionals. 

CPHS Softball: Lady Sandites run-rule Stillwater 16-4 in district road game

Kimi Presnell hit a home run in last week's loss to Broken Arrow, then went 3-for-3 against Stillwater with three runs. 

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (17-3 overall, 8-1 district) suffered their first district loss of the year Thursday as Broken Arrow (30-3, 9-0) run-ruled the Lady Sandites 20-6 in less than five innings. The Sandites saw their nine-game win streak come to a close, but got back on track Tuesday in Stillwater with a 16-4 six-inning beat-down against the Pioneers (11-10, 6-4).

University of Northern Iowa-commit Jacie Taber (12-1 season, 25-8 career) suffered her first loss of the year at the hands of Broken Arrow, giving up nine walks and fourteen hits with no strikeouts.

Anyone who believes in signs might have their doubts after watching Kimi Presnell hit a solo home run to start the game in the Sandites' favor. That good omen proved meaningless as the home team piled on seven runs of their own in the same inning. 

Sand Springs let two on base with a walk and an error. Both McKenzie Carney and Grace Jarvis scored on a double from Mary Collins, who later scored on a passed ball. Raegan Edwards was hit by pitch, McKayla Carney reached base on balls, and both came in on a single from Maci Cole. Cole scored on an error for the final run of the inning. 

The Sandites got to cut into the deficit right away as Felicity Horn drew a walk and scored on a double from Jensen Arnold. Cameron Clemons singled and came in on a sacrifice fly from Taber, then Kinsey Skaggs scored on an error while running courtesy for Arnold.

Broken Arrow managed just a single single in the second and the Sandites did more damage in the top of the third. Elizabeth Luttrell walked, Horn reached on an error, and Clemons singled to load the bases. Arnold sent a ground ball to short, Carney found Jarvis at second, who hit Edwards at first for a double play, but not before Luttrell found home plate in all the ruckus. Horn got to come home just one pitch later on a single from Taber to cut the score to 7-6.

All that work was undone in the bottom of the inning, however. Five walks and five hits gave the Tigers nine runs for the 16-6 advantage. Four hits, one walk, and an error in the fourth gave Broken Arrow four more runs, and the Sandite offense was held fruitless in the top of the fifth, securing the Tiger victory by run-rule. 

Tuesday's game against Stillwater was a complete reversal of Thursday's mishap, and this time it was the Sandites who hit their way to an early victory. Taber didn't have her best night on the mound, but she got the job done with four strikeouts against five hits and two walks. 

Sand Springs jumped out to a quick lead with singles from Presnell and Makenna Skaggs and a walk from Sabrina Usher. Presnell took advantage of an unguarded home plate for the first run of the game, then Usher came in on a single from Luttrell soon after. Luttrell made it a 3-0 lead, scoring on a double from Horn. 

Julia Cottrill hit a home run for the first Pioneer plate appearance of the game, but the visitors went right back to work in the second inning. Arnold and Taber hit singles, courtesy runner Kinsey Skaggs scored on a sacrifice fly from Makenna Skaggs, then courtesy runner Drew Hawkins scored on a single from Usher. Usher scored on an error by the catcher, then Madelyn Blair singled and scored on a single from Horn to make it 7-1.

In the top of the third Taber walked and was replaced on base by Hawkins, then Presnell doubled. Both scored on a double from Makenna Skaggs, who in turn scored on a single from Blair. Cottrill sent another dinger out of the park in the bottom of the third, and once again it was the lone run of the inning for the home team. Horn added another run for Sand Springs in the top of the fourth, scoring on a single from Taber.

Cottrill went three-for-three at the plate, but went with a ground ball rather than a rocket in the bottom of the fifth. She still got to cross home plate for a third time, however, as Alexis Hoang got her turn clearing the fence. 

The Sandites put the game away in the top of the sixth with a walk and five hits for a 16-4 advantage. Presnell, Usher, Luttrell, and Horn singled, Blair doubled, and Clemons hit a sacrifice fly. Stillwater put two on base in the bottom of the inning thanks to an error and a walk, but both were stranded and the visitors secured the victory. 

The Lady Sandites will return to action Wednesday with a 4:00 p.m. rematch against Broken Arrow at the Sandite Sports Complex. 

CPHS Softball wins Bixby Tournament, remains undefeated in District Play

Junior pitcher Jacie Taber is undefeated on the mound this season.

The Charles Page High School fast pitch softball team (16-2 overall, 7-0 district) is in the middle of one of their best seasons in recent years, riding a nine-game winning streak and undefeated record in district play. 

Last week was a busy one for the Lady Sandites as they took on Stillwater in a district game before heading to the Bixby Tournament and sweeping the competition. On Tuesday the Sandites notched another district win over Ponca City, setting them up for a crucial conflict Thursday against the only other undefeated team in the district. The Sandites will take on Broken Arrow (24-3, 8-0) on the road Thursday before hosting the Tigers the following Tuesday.

While both the Sandites and Tigers boast impressive records, Broken Arrow in particular has been an offensive powerhouse, winning a large amount of their games by run-rule with double-digit leads. The two teams have played only four mutual opponents. While Sand Springs outscored their foes 53-14 over seven games, the Tigers hammered the same opponents 110-13 in eight games. 

Sand Springs has only two losses this year, 4-3 to Claremore (15-10) on the first day of the season, and 6-4 to 2A No. 1 Dale (26-1) last month. The Tigers have three losses: 8-3 to Moore (16-5), 3-1 to Edmond North (8-8), and 8-3 to Yukon (17-0). They are currently riding a thirteen-straight win streak. 

Last Tuesday the Sandites edged out Stillwater (7-8, 4-3) in a lackluster performance that could easily have gone sideways. University of Northern Iowa-commit Jacie Taber (11-0 season, 24-7 career) had an off night with eleven walks and six hits with only four strikeouts. 

Sand Springs scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the third as Jensen Arnold doubled to score Cameron Clemons and Kimi Presnell hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Rachel Jones. Taber walked in a run on loaded bases in the next inning. Stillwater landed three hits in the top of the fifth to tie the game, but Sabrina Usher doubled to bring in Presnell in the bottom of the inning. 

Kinsey Skaggs came in on a single from Felicity Horn in the sixth inning, but the Pioneers tied it right back up in the seventh and the game came down to the wire. Presnell and Usher both landed base hits but were unable to score and the game went to extra innings. The Sandites made quick work of the Pioneer offense in the top of the eighth, then Clemons singled and scored on a hit from Makenna Skaggs for the win.

The Lady Sandites needed only two and a half innings to run-rule Tulsa Edison (1-19) 12-0 in the first round of the Bixby Tournament. Presnell was three-for-three at the plate with three RBI and one run. Jones (1-0) saw her first varsity action on the mound and gave up one hit and one walk with one strikeout over two innings. Aliyah Taff pitched the top of the third and recorded a save with one strikeout. 

Glenpool (7-15) was a slightly tougher opponent for the Sandites, who went a whole five innings before the tournament time limit secured the 5-2 win. Usher, Madelyn Blair, Horn, Clemons, and Kinsey Skaggs each recorded runs. Taber struck out five but gave up five hits and three walks.

The Sandites jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead against 4A Cushing (14-11) in the top of the first before the Tigers struck back with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Neither team scored again till Presnell stole home in the top of the fourth. Blair (4-2, 17-4) got the win on the mound with one strikeout, one walk, five hits, and no earned runs.

On day two of the tournament the Sandites took on Union (18-8) and rolled to an 8-1 victory. The Redskins held a 1-0 lead after the first inning, but the Sandites scored runs in each of the next four innings. Presnell and Usher scored a pair of runs apiece and Makenna Skaggs batted in two runs. Taber was back to her usual self with seven strikeouts against only two hits and one walk. 

In the championship round, the Sandites breezed through Jenks with a 12-2 run-rule victory. Presnell, Usher, Elizabeth Luttrell each scored two runs apiece, complimented by runs from Makenna and Kinsey Skaggs, Blair, Horn, Clemons, and Taber. Blair was three-for-three at the plate and also got work done on the mound. She gave up three hits and two walks with two strikeouts. 

The Sandites extended their weekend success into district play Tuesday with a 3-0 shutout of Ponca City (17-8, 3-5). Horn scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Taber. Blair hit a single in the sixth inning and came in on Luttrell's second home run of the season. Taber struck out eight, walked two, and gave up five hits in the win.