Softball State Tournament Preview: Sandites headed to State for 5th-straight year

The 2019 Fast Pitch Softball Team won the Sandites’ fifth-straight Regional Title.

The Charles Page High School fast pitch softball team (23-12) went 4-1 at this past week’s Regional Championship, coming back from a Tuesday night loss to win three-straight on Wednesday.

The Sandites got to beat two rivals in the Regional playoff, taking out Sapulpa 11-1 and Choctaw 10-0 and 2-1.

SEE RELATED: Sandites win fifth-straight Regional Championship, 17th overall.

Sand Springs will travel to the OSSAA 6A State Tournament Thursday, October 17th in Shawnee. The Sandites will play Moore at the Firelake Ball Fields at 18160 Rangeline Road, Shawnee, OK 74801.

Ice chests, glass containers, food, drink, and tobacco will not be permitted. Tickets are $7.00 for both students and adults. The home team at each game will be decided by coin toss. The team on the top line of the brackets will occupy the third-baseline dugout.

Quarterfinals

Edmond Memorial vs. Deer Creek (Field 3 - 11:00 a.m.)

Edmond Memorial (25-8) finished fifth in District 1. The Bulldogs are riding a seven game streak including a pair of upsets over the District Champs from Mustang at Regionals. They outscored their opponents 22-9 in the three-team tournament. The Bulldogs own two gold balls from 1993 and 1987. They also won the Perry Fastpitch Classic earlier this season.

Edmond Memorial has yet to meet Union, Westmoore, Broken Arrow or Sand Springs this season. They are 0-2 against Moore, split wins with Deer Creek, and have a 3-1 win over Owasso.

Edmond Deer Creek (27-9) was the District 1 runner-up and went 4-1 at Regionals, outscoring their opponents 33-16. The Antlers own a single gold ball from 2003. They are 2-0 against Westmoore and split wins with Moore and Edmond Memorial this season. They lost 3-0 to Owasso, and 4-2 to Broken Arrow, and have yet to meet Union or Sand Springs.

Sand Springs vs. Moore (Field 3 - 1:30 p.m.)

Sand Springs (23-12) has never won a State title, but made it to the finals in 2015. They placed second in District 3 and won their home Regional with a 4-1 record, outscoring their opponents 44-7. They also won the Choctaw-Carl Albert Tournament earlier this season.

The team holds a .347 batting average, .488 slugging average, .414 on-base percentage, 2.27 earned run average, and 1.24 WHIP. They average 7 runs, 9 hits, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts, 1 sacrifice, 2 steals, 1 error, and 1 double play per game. The pitching crew averages 6 hits, 3 strikeouts, and 1 walk per game.

The Sandites have yet to play Edmond Memorial, Deer Creek, or Union. They split wins with Owasso, fell 7-0 to Moore, and 8-3 to Broken Arrow.

Moore (25-10) finished third in District 1 and won the Southmoore Regional 3-0 by a combined score of 10-6. The Lions own three gold balls (2007, 2005, 1974). Moore is 2-0 against Edmond Memorial, and beat Owasso 5-0 and Sand Springs 7-0. They split wins with Deer Creek and lost 6-2 to Union, 15-13 to Westmoore, and 3-1 to Broken Arrow this season.

Broken Arrow vs. Union (Field 3 - 4:00 p.m.)

Broken Arrow (37-2) was the only team to go undefeated in their district, winning District 4, as well as their home tournament. They run-ruled their way through a 3-0 regional, outscoring their foes 34-1, and are on a 24-game win streak. The Tigers own eleven State Championships (2009, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1996, 1989, 1985, 1979).

The Tigers have more top-class State Titles than any other school and are tied with Davenport and Pocola for most in any classification. Neither Pocola nor Davenport qualified for State this year, giving Broken Arrow an opportunity to take the lead.

Broken Arrow is 2-0 against Union and defeated Moore 3-1, Owasso 6-5, Sand Springs 8-3, and Deer Creek 4-2. They have yet to meet Edmond Memorial. Their only in-Oklahoma loss was to Westmoore, 6-4.

Union (24-13) finished second in District 4 and went 3-0 at their Regional, outscoring their foes 36-9. The Redskins own four State titles (2011, 1999, 1992, 1976). Union has yet to meet Edmond Memorial, Deer Creek, or Sand Springs. They beat Moore 6-2 and Owasso 16-10, but fell 8-0 to Westmoore and are 0-2 against Broken Arrow.

Westmoore vs. Owasso (Field 3 - 6:30 p.m.)

Westmoore (30-8) won their first State title last season and won the District 2 title this year. They went 4-1 at their home Regional, losing Tuesday night and winning out on Wednesday. They outscored their opponents 53-24.

Westmoore has yet to meet Edmond Memorial but they beat Union 8-0, Moore 15-13, and Broken Arrow 6-4. They lost 6-3 to Owasso, and are 0-2 against Deer Creek.

Owasso (24-13) won District 3 and shut out their Regional opponents by a combined score of 26-0. The Rams won their lone State title in 1995. They beat Westmoore 6-3 and Deer Creek 3-0 and split wins with Sand Springs. They fell 3-1 to Edmond Memorial, 16-10 to Union, 6-5 to Broken Arrow, and 5-0 to Moore.

Semifinals

The winners of Sand Springs vs. Moore and Edmond Memorial vs. Deer Creek will play Friday at 11:00 a.m. on Field 3.

The winners of Broken Arrow vs. Union and Westmoore vs. Owasso will play Friday at 1:30 p.m. on Field 3.

Finals

The State Championship final will be played Saturday at 5:00 p.m. on Field 4.

Players to Watch

Broken Arrow: Raegan Edwards (2020 - University of Texas - Arlington).

Deer Creek: Shayleigh Odom (2020 - University of Central Oklahoma).

Edmond Memorial: Leah McAnally (2023 - University of Oklahoma).

Moore: Taylor McKittrick (2020 - University of Central Oklahoma).

Owasso: Jaycee Hampton (2020 - Northwestern Oklahoma State University), Payton Compton (2020 - Seminole State College), Paige Knight (2020 - University of Oklahoma), Chloee Sams (2020 - Labette Community College).

Sand Springs: Sabrina Usher (2020 - Rogers State University), Makenna Skaggs (2020 - Rose State College), Jordyn Pearson (2020 - Missouri Baptist University), Mackenzie Bechtold (2020 - Connors State College), Felicity Horn (2020 - Grayson Community College).

Union: Adrianna Young (2020 - Missouri Southern State University).

Westmoore: Kailey Gamble (2020 - University of North Texas).

Other Classes

The Class 5A State Tournament quarterfinal and semifinal games will be held at the same times as 6A on Field 4. The Championship game will be played on Field 2 Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

The Class 4A State Tournament quarterfinal and semifinal games will be held at the same times as 6A and 5A on Field 2. The Championship game will be played on Field 4 Saturday at 12:00 p.m.

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State Championships by School

Broken Arrow (2009, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1996, 1989, 1985, 1979)
Davenport (2013, 2012, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992)
Pocola (1979, 1977, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1963, 1961, 1960, 1958)

Tuttle (2018, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2007, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994)

Carl Albert (2018, 2017, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006)
Copan (1999, 1998, 1997, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988)
Dewey (1994, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1984)
Oologah (2012, 1999, 1998, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1988)
Red Oak (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2007, 2006)
Washington (2015, 2014, 2013, 2008, 2005, 2000, 1999)

Bishop Kelley (2001, 2000, 1996, 1992, 1991, 1977)

Adair (2006, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1987)
Cameron (1984, 1983, 1978, 1973, 1971)
Claremore (2003, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1994)
Dale (2018, 2017, 2014, 2013, 2003)
Sterling (2007, 2006, 1987, 1986, 1985)
Yukon (2010, 2000, 1997, 1991, 1986)

Binger-Oney (2017, 2015, 2011, 2010)
Union (2011, 1999, 1992, 1976)

Atwood (1956, 1952, 1951)
Bartlesville (1984, 1982, 1980)
Blanchard (2011, 2009, 1983)
Collinsville (2015, 2005, 1972)
Coweta (2005, 2004, 2002)
Grove (2012, 2000, 1996)
Little Axe (2012, 2011, 2010)
Meeker (2005, 2003, 2002)
Moore (2007, 2005, 1974)
Mustang (2017, 2014, 1988)

Bethel (1999, 1998)
Chandler (2016, 1962)
Chickasha (2015, 2014)
Choctaw (2015, 1994)
Edmond Memorial (1993, 1987)
Edmond North (2012, 2004)
Fort Gibson (1998, 1989)
Healdton (2009, 2002)
Kiowa (2019, 2018)
Loyal (1957, 1954)
MacArthur (2009, 2008)
Pryor (2016, 1987)
Purcell (2017, 2004)
Putnam City (1978, 1975)
Putnam West (1983, 1981)
Sasakwa (2009, 2008)
Southmoore (2016, 2013)
Tushka (2016, 2015)
Wayne (2012, 1955)
Wister (1981, 1980)

Amber-Pocasset (2018)
Berryhill (2000)
Bixby (1997)
Caney Valley (2009
Capitol Hill (1953)
Chelsea (2007)
Commerce (1993)
Crescent (1982)
Deer Creek (2003)
Depew (2008
Dewar (2010)
East Central (1990)
Fort Cobb-Broxton (2009)
Gotebo (1950)
Hammon (2011)
Hilldale (2013)
Konawa (2010)
Latta (2016)
Lone Grove (2004)
Mannford (2006)
Marlow (1997)
McLoud (2002)
Morrison (2019)
Moss (1959)
Mount Saint Mary (2010)
Nathan Hale (1993)
Newcastle (2014)
Noble (1965)
Owasso (1995)
Panama (2011)
Ringling (2008)
Rock Creek (2014)
Rush Springs (2004)
Sentinel (2004)
Shattuck (2017)
Silo (2019)
Skiatook (2001)
Sperry (1964)
Tahlequah Sequoyah (2018)
Tishomingo (2019)
Western Heights (1990)
Westmoore (2018)

Sand Springs Fast Pitch Softball Stats

Batting Average
.470 Usher
.458 Lee
.370 Horn
.364 Rector
.352 Jones
.343 Taff
.329 McNally
.298 Skaggs
.286 Jordan
.267 Hawkins
.247 Tanner
.241 Bechtold
—————————
.500 Pearson
.250 Crawford

Slugging Average
1.03 Usher
.579 Lee
.540 Horn
.444 Jones
.429 Taff
.426 Skaggs
.424 Rector
.379 Bechtold
.343 McNally
.307 Hawkins
.286 Jordan
.280 Tanner
————————-
.500 Pearson
.417 Crawford

On-Base Percentage
.573 Usher
.512 Lee
.449 Horn
.447 Rector
.398 McNally
.389 Skaggs
.373 Jones
.367 Hawkins
.359 Jordan
.346 Taff
.303 Tanner
.241 Bechtold
————————-
.500 Pearson
.286 Craford

Runs
44 Lee
37 Usher
28 Horn
24 Skaggs
22 Hawkins
19 Tanner
18 McNally
14 Jones
9 Taff
7 Rector
5 Jordan
4 Bechtold
3 Harper
2 Crawford
2 Hammock
2 Burks
1 Pearson

Runs Batted In
54 Usher
19 Horn
19 McNally
17 Lee
15 Tanner
14 Skaggs
14 Rector
13 Taff
12 Jones
10 Hawkins
7 Bechtold
3 Jordan
3 Crawford
2 Pearson
1 Hammock

Hits
49 Lee
47 Usher
37 Horn
28 Skaggs
24 Taff
23 McNally
23 Tanner
20 Hawkins
19 Jones
12 Rector
10 Jordan
7 Bechtold
3 Crawford
2 Pearson

Singles
42 Lee
25 Horn
22 McNally
21 Usher
20 Tanner
20 Skaggs
18 Taff
17 Hawkins
16 Jones
10 Rector
10 Jordan
5 Bechtold
2 Pearson
1 Crawford

Doubles
9 Usher
8 Horn
6 Taff
6 Skaggs
3 Hawkins
3 Tanner
2 Crawford
2 Lee
2 Rector
2 Jones
1 McNally
1 Bechtold

Triples
4 Usher
4 Lee
3 Horn

Home Runs
13 Usher
2 Skaggs
1 Horn
1 Lee
1 Bechtold
1 Jones

Grand Slams
1 Bechtold
1 Usher

Sacrifices
9 McNally
7 Hawkins
7 Jones
6 Tanner
5 Lee
5 Taff
3 Skaggs
2 Horn
1 Crawford

Stolen Bases
15 Lee
10 Horn
7 Usher
5 McNally
5 Hawkins
4 Skaggs
4 Tanner
2 Jordan
2 Jones
1 Rector

Doubles Plays
9 Lee
8 Tanner
7 Bechtold
4 Jordan
3 Skaggs
2 Usher
2 Jones
1 Horn

Win-Loss Record
13-7 Taff (17-13)
8-3 Bechtold (12-3)
3-2 Crawford

Earned Run Average
1.07 Taff
3.24 Bechtold
6.06 Crawford

Walks+Hits/Innings Pitched
0.94 Taff
1.50 Bechtold
1.99 Crawford

Strikeouts
63 Taff
31 Bechtold
18 Crawford
1 Rector

CPHS Softball: Sandites win fifth-straight Regional Championship, 17th overall

For the third time in five years, the Sandites took the back door to the State Tournament. The Charles Page High School fast pitch softball team (23-12) came back from an early loss, winning a three-game series against Choctaw (17-14) for their fifth-straight Regional Championship.

Choctaw won game one 4-2, but the Sandites came back through the loser’s bracket with an 11-1 win over Sapulpa. They then defeated the Yellowjackets 10-0 and 2-1.

SEE RELATED:
CPHS Softball: Sabrina Usher hits grand slam in 19-1 playoff win over Enid.
CPHS Softball: Sandites fall 4-2 to Choctaw at Regionals
CPHS Softball: Rachael Jones hits walkoff homer for 11-1 playoff win over Sapulpa
CPHS Softball: Sandites run-rule Choctaw 10-0 in Regional Playoffs

The final game of the series suffered three lightning delays and two rain delays, and the game didn’t wrap up till four hours after it started.

Micah Edmonds put the Yellowjackets on the board in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI double to score Preslee Irwin, but Aliyah Taff tied it with a sacrifice fly to score Madison Lee in the fifth.

Choctaw threatened in the fifth, but Taff pitched a strikeout with bases loaded to save the inning. Rachael Jones hit a double in the sixth to score Makenna Skaggs for the Sandites’ first and only lead of the game.

Taff (13-7, 17-13) got the win in the pitcher’s circle with eight hits, four strikeouts, and one walk. Emma Jackson got the loss with six hits, two strikeouts, and six walks.

The Class 6A State Tournament will be played at The Ballfields at Firelake in Shawnee on October 17, 18, and 19.

CPHS Softball: Sandites run-rule Choctaw 10-0 in Regional Playoffs

The Charles Page High School fast pitch softball team (22-12) suffered a 4-2 upset at the hands of their rivals from Choctaw Tuesday evening at the Regional playoffs, but earned a rematch Wednesday morning after an 11-1 run-rule victory over Sapulpa (9-19). The Sandites came back with a vengeance, run-ruling the Yellowjackets 10-0 in six innings to force a tie-breaker game for the Regional title. They will play at 5:00 p.m. for the ticket to State.

Sabrina Usher kicked off the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, her thirteenth of the season. Makenna Skaggs hit an RBI single in the second inning to score Felicity Horn, and Drew Hawkins scored on a passed ball for a 3-0 lead.

Brooklyn Harper tagged up to score on a fly out from Avery Tanner in the third inning, then Skaggs hit an RBI double to score Horn and Reagan Rector hit a 2RBI double to score Skaggs and Hawkins for the 7-0 advantage.

Horn hit a sacrifice fly to score Usher in the fourth. Aliyah Taff almost scored Rachael Jones on a sacrifice fly in the sixth, but Jones was ruled to have left base early and called out. Hawkins hit an RBI single to score Usher, and Horn scored on an error for the win.

Taff (12-7, 16-13) got the win in the pitcher’s circle.

CPHS Softball: Rachael Jones hits walkoff homer for 11-1 playoff win over Sapulpa

The Charles Page High School fast pitch softball team (21-12) got off to a good start at the Regional Playoffs Wednesday with an 11-1 run-rule victory over Sapulpa (9-19) to extend their season by a game. Rachael Jones hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to secure the walk-off win.

Jones dedicated the hit to her father, who is undergoing cancer treatment, saying “that was for you” before running the bases.

Jones also scored the first run of the game on an error in the bottom of the first and Sabrina Usher scored on an RBI single from Jaden Jordan. Makenna Skaggs scored on an error in the second for the 3-0 lead.

Sapulpa walked three Sandites in the third inning. Felicity Horn stole home and Reagan Rector hit a 2RBI single to score Skaggs and Drew Hawkins.

The Chieftains averted the shutout on the top of the fourth thanks to a walk, a double from Ally Zanca, and a sacrifice hit from Morgan DeGraffenreid to score Lexi Cahwee. They threatened again in the fifth but stranded loaded bases, and the Sandites came in for a final offensive push.

Skaggs kicked off the fifth inning onslaught with an RBI double to score Avery Tanner, then scored on an error. Rector was hit by pitch and Madison Lee reached on an error, setting up Jones for the game-winning dinger.

Mackenzie Bechtold (8-3, 12-3) got the win in the pitcher’s circle with four hits, one strikeout, and three walks. Zanca took the loss, throwing eight hits, one strikeout, and five walks.

The win positioned the Sandites for a rematch with Choctaw, who won 4-2 last night. A loss will eliminate the Sandites from contention, while a win will force a tie-breaker game at 6:00 p.m.

CPHS Softball: Sandites fall 4-2 to Choctaw at Regionals, play Sapulpa at noon

The Charles Page High School fast pitch softball team (20-12) went 1-1 on the first day of their home Regional, beating Enid 19-1, but falling 4-2 to Choctaw. Choctaw won 14-1 against Sapulpa, who in turn defeated Enid 13-3 eliminate the Pacers from competition. Sand Springs and Sapulpa will play an elimination game at 12:00 p.m.

Click here to view Sand Springs vs. Enid photo gallery.

The Sandites connected on twice as many hits as Choctaw, but stranded eleven runners in the loss. Aliyah Taff (11-7, 15-13) only gave up six hits and no walks with four strikeouts. Emma Jackson got the win, throwing twelve hits, five walks, and four strikeouts.

The Sandites had already stranded four runners before the Yellowjackets ever got on base. Choctaw got on the board in the bottom of the third as Micah Edmonds singled and scored on an error, then Sabrina Usher tied it up in the top of the fifth with an RBI single to score Reagan Rector.

Erin Woods put her team back out front with a sacrifice fly to score Preslee Irwin in the bottom of the fifth. Madison Lee tied it with an RBI single to score Drew Hawkins in the sixth, but the Yellowjackets quickly got back out front as Tiffany Paul scored on an error and Kaiden Boren hit a solo home run. The Sandites loaded the bases with a trio of singles in the top of the seventh, but a Choctaw double-play brought the game to a close.

The Sandites won 19-1 against Enid (5-28) in only five innings.
SEE RELATED: CPHS Softball: Sabrina Usher hits grand slam in 19-1 playoff win over Enid.

Choctaw (17-12) posted thirteen hits against Sapulpa (9-18) in a 14-1 six-inning run-rule win. Jackson got the start and the win in the pitcher’s circle with four hits, five strikeouts, and two walks in four innings. Molly Emerson pitched two innings in relief and threw two strikeouts with no walks and no hits.

Sapulpa came back in consolation with a 13-3 win over Enid, outhitting the Pacers 13-5. Ally Zanca got the start and the win with three hits, six strikeouts, and seven walks in four innings. Kimbree Layton got the loss with ten hits, four strikeouts, and five walks in four innings.

The loser of Sand Springs vs. Sapulpa will be eliminated, while the winner will earn a rematch with Choctaw at 2:00 p.m. If Choctaw wins the 2:00 p.m. game they will advance to the State Tournament. If they lose, a tie-breaker game will be played at 6:00 p.m. for the ticket to State.

Sand Springs has won their past four home Regionals and had to come back through the loser’s bracket last year and in 2016. Choctaw won Regionals in 2015 and 2017 but failed to advance in 2016 and 2018. The Sandites haven’t lost to the Chieftains in over a decade. Choctaw and Sand Springs are 1-1 this season, with the Sandites winning a 2018 Broken Arrow Tournament game 3-2.

CPHS Softball: Sabrina Usher hits grand slam in 19-1 playoff win over Enid

The Charles Page High School fast pitch softball team (20-11) got off to a great start Tuesday afternoon at the Regional Playoffs with a 19-1 run-rule win over Enid (5-27). The game was their second-biggest win of the season and advanced them to the 4:00 p.m. game against the winner of Choctaw (15-12) vs. Sapulpa (8-17).

Madison Lee and Jolee McNally reached on bunt singles in the top of the first inning and Sabrina Usher was hit by pitch to load the bases, setting up Rachel Jones and Felicity Horn with RBI singles. Avery Tanner hit a 2 RBI single and Reagan Rector had a 2 RBI double for a 6-0 lead before the Pacers came in to bat. Enid scored one run on three singles in the bottom of the first, with Tiara Henry batting in Mariah Pryor. 

The second inning was fruitless for both teams, but the Sandites got hot with seven hits in the third. Tanner batted in Horn and scored on a passed ball, then Rector drove in Drew Hawkins to make it 9-1. Usher hit her twelfth home run of the season and first grand slam to score Rector, Lee, and McNally. Horn batted in Jones on a double and the Sandites ended the melee with a 14-1 lead. 

McNally hit an RBI single to score Makenna Skaggs in the top of the fourth. Jones scored on an error in the fifth, Hawkins hit an RBI single to score Horn, Skaggs hit an RBI single to score Tanner, and Hawkins scored on an error for the final run of the game.

Horn was a perfect 4-for-4 in the game and Tanner led all scorers with four RBI and three runs. The Sandites out hit their foes 18-5 and benefited from six Pacer errors. Mackenzie Bechtold (7-3, 11-3) got the win for the Sandites with five hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts in five innings.

Enid went through three pitchers in the game. Kimbree Layton got the start and the loss with eleven hits, one strikeouts, and one walk in two innings. Tomieya Stewart took over just before Usher’s grand slam and threw seven hits, two strikeouts, and one walk in two innings. Jada Stovall finished out with no hits, no walks, and two strikeouts in the fifth.

Sand Springs will play the winner of Sapulpa vs. Choctaw at 6:00 p.m. while Enid will play the loser at 4:00 p.m.