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 Football: Sandites thump Sapulpa 31-16 behind Payton Scott's 352 yards

It was a packed house at George F. Collins Stadium and the Sandites had plenty of fans to cheer them on to a 31-16 victory. (Photo: Morgan Miller). 

It was rivalry week on the West side as the Charles Page High School Sandites (2-2 overall, 1-0 district) traveled to Sapulpa (0-4, 0-1) for the Chieftains' Homecoming game. Sand Springs rolled to a dominating 31-16 victory over their arch rivals to start district play.

CPHS 31 SHS 16
1Q CPHS 7-0
2Q CPHS 10-0
3Q SHS 13-7
4Q CPHS 7-3

Passing: CPHS 4-6-44-1, SHS 10-16-80-2.
Rushing: CPHS 44-359, SHS 29-203.
Plays-Offense: CPHS 50-403, SHS 45-283.
First Downs: CPHS 13, SHS 13.
Penalties: CPHS 6-56, SHS 3-19.
Fumbles/Lost: CPHS 0/0, SHS 1/1.

Click here to view full photo gallery.

Just a week after carrying for 231 yards and three touchdowns against Putnam West, senior running back Payton Scott had the biggest night of his career with 29 carries for 352 yards and four touchdowns against the Chieftains. He was one touchdown short of his highest-scoring night, but surpassed his highest running output by 79 yards and his highest total yardage by 30 yards. His four touchdowns came on carries of 45, 19, 75, and 36 yards.

The Sandites throttled Sapulpa in the first half, leading 17-0 as they headed to the locker room. Click here to read the full story from the first half.

Scott was already sitting comfortably at 18 carries for 190 yards before the Sandites returned to the field. Junior quarterback Caden Pennington was 4-6-44-1 in the first half, and didn't attempt a single pass in the second. Scott was the only player to run a play in the third quarter, and with the exception of a three-yard run from Tyler McCallie, and three knees from Pennington, he was the only carrier in the fourth quarter too. 

What Sand Springs did in the first half, Sapulpa did in the third quarter, running the ball for 56 yards before Elijah Willliams hit Marcus Esparza for 22 yards and a touchdown. Kaivon Mortazavi drilled the PAT and the Chieftains were on the board.

Scott pulled out a big eighteen-yard run for the Sandites on their first possession, but three runs later he was still at the line of scrimmage and the Sandites punted for the first time.

Sapulpa took advantage, marching 85 yards in fourteen plays, scoring on a one-yard keeper. This time Mortazavi missed the kick and the Chieftains trailed 17-13. Scott had an answer for them, taking the ball 75 yards to the house on the first play of the corresponding drive. 

Sapulpa had the ball to start the fourth quarter, racking up four first downs and 61 yards before settling for a field goal. The Chieftains handled the ball well at the start of the drive, heading 64 yards in nine plays for first and goal at the two-yard line. Then they caught a holding penalty, a few incomplete passes, and a stout Sandite D-line and ended up fourth and goal at the ten. An unsportsmanlike penalty on Sand Springs gave them an extra five, and Mortazavi drilled the goal from 23 yards out.

The Sandites didn't need nearly as many snaps to do twice as much damage on their next possession. A failed onside kick attempt gave them great field advantage at the Chieftain 47. Scott used three snaps for a first down, then took it 36 yards for the score, making it a two-possession game once again with only 3:32 to play.

Sapulpa's next drive ended in an eleven-yard interception return by Braden Askew. The Sandites picked up a first down from Scott, traveling to the Chieftain 32 before ending the game in victory formation.

Braden Millican and Kameron Adcock split receiving duties down the middle with two catches apiece. Millican ended up with 21 yards and Adcock had 23. Hayden Cramer led on defense with nine tackles, one for loss. 

The Sandites will return to action next week in Yukon with a non-district game against the 6A-I Millers (2-2). The Millers have losses of 31-14 to Mustang (2-2) and 56-20 to Broken Arrow (1-3), but defeated Norman North (3-1) 38-31 and Southmoore (0-4) 28-7. Last season the Sandites hosted Yukon and improved to 3-2 with a 30-14 victory behind Hunter Greathouse's three passing touchdowns.

Sapulpa will take on the top team in Class 6A-II as they travel to No. 1 Booker T. Washington (4-1) who started district play with a 63-21 thumping of No. 15 Ponca City (0-4)

Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Passing: Pennington 4-6-44-1.
Rushing: Scott 29-352, Edwards 4-16, Nortey 3-8, McCallie 2-5, Pennington 6-(-22).
Receiving: Adcock 2-23, Millican 2-21.
Punting: Smith 1-25.
Kicking: Weiser 5-161.
PAT: Weiser 4/4.
Field Goals: Weiser 1-25.
Tackles: Cramer 9, Fleischman 5, Edwards 4, Moyer 3, Bratcher 3, Adcock 2, Fain 2, Haley 2, Mackey 1, Denton 1, Lyons 1, Mallory 1, Askew 1, Finch 1.
Sacks: Edwards 1-5.
Tackles for loss: Bratcher 1-7, Edwards 1-5, Cramer 1-3, Moyer 1-3, Fleischman 1-2, Fain 1-1.
Kick returns: Scott 1-37.
Interceptions-return: Askew 1-11, Lyons 1-0, Edwards 0-2.
Forced Fumbles: Denton 1.
Fumble Recoveries: Weiser 1.

Sapulpa Individual Statistics

Passing: E. Williams 10-16-80-2.
Rushing: Esparza 6-99, Williams 13-70, Vann 10-34.
Receiving: Esparza 3-41, Sanders 5-40, K. Williams 1-6, Hancock 1-(-7). 
Kick returns: Sanders 1-22.
Punting: Mortazavi 1-15.
Kicking: Mortazavi 2-90.
Field Goals: Mortazavi 1-23. 
Interceptions-return: Lopez 1-25.

CPHS Football: Sandites lead Sapulpa 17-0 at halftime

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Photo: Morgan Miller.

No. 7 Sand Springs (1-2) is visiting George F. Collins Stadium for the Highway 97 rivalry game against Sapulpa (0-3). The district-opening battle is also Sapulpa's homecoming night, and they're in trouble after the first half.

The Sandites got off to a great start, scoring on their first possession, marching 80 yards in only five plays. Payton Scott snagged a first down on the first run of the game, Caden Pennington hit Kameron Adcock for an eight-yard pass and another first down, then Scott took it 55 yards to the house. Jaden Weiser made his tenth extra-point of the season and the Sandites were up 7-0 less than two minutes into the game.

Sapulpa’s first possession netted four yards and no first downs, and the Sandite offense ended up with great position after a high punt started them at the Chieftain 42. It was a rough drive, however, and the Sandites needed fourteen snaps to push it 29 yards before turning the ball over. Pennington found Braden Millican for sixteen yards on a fourth down, setting up Scott for a seventeen-yard run.

Unfortunately for the Sandites, the play was called back for holding and they couldn’t replicate the success. Ben Nortey picked up six yards, then Pennington escaped from a collapsed pocket and ended up with a gain of six, but this time their fourth-down pass was batted down and Sapulpa got the ball.

The Chieftains had their first big play on an eleven-yard screen pass from Elijah Williams to Marcus Esparza for a first down to end the first quarter. Esparza snagged a huge run for 53 yards to the Sandite redzone before Braden Askew caught up with him, but the defense rallied from there. Gage Fain pushed Williams back several yards before losing his footing. Williams regained some of the ground, but couldn’t make the line of scrimmage before being brought to earth by Hayden Cramer and Lucas Adcock. Williams grabbed nine yards on a keeper, but a fumbled snap returned it to the Sandite fifteen. A 36-yard field goal attempt from Kaivon Mortazavi hit a headwind and sailed high left leaving Sapulpa with nothing to show for their huge drive.

Sand Springs had another decent drive with 30 yards from Scott and a five-yard screen to Millican, but after picking up two first downs the Sandites turned it over with an interception from Sapulpa’s Josh Lopez.

The Chieftains didn’t hold onto the ball for long as a screen pass was tipped up into the hands of Jerry Lyons. Lyons was hit from behind and let the ball fly, but once again it found the hands of a Sandite. Kris Edwards secured the pick and the Sandite offense returned to the field after a nine-second break.

This time the Sandites executed flawlessly for a four run, 58-yard drive capped by a 19-yard carry from Scott. Weiser’s kick sailed true and the Sandites were up 14-0 with 4:19 in the half.

Weiser sent the kick to the 29, the Chieftains returned it to the 38, and Bryson Denton knocked the ball loose where it was recovered by Weiser. The ecstatic kicker spiked the ball for an unsportsmanlike penalty, but it didn’t slow the Sandite train. Nortey, Scott, and Edwards combined for 38 yards on six carries for another penetration, but the Chieftain defense held true this time. Scott was met at the line for no gain, then Garrett Clark sacked Pennington for 10. Pennington found Adcock for fifteen yards, but with a fourth-and-five opportunity in front of them, the Sandites elected to go for the field goal. Weiser connected from 25 yards for his first goal of the season and the Sandites retired the half 17-0.

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. 

Week Four 6A-II rankings and predictions; a look at this weekend's games

No. 1 Booker T. Washington Hornets (2) vs. No. 15 Ponca City Wildcats (15) *District 2

Booker T. (3-1) snapped back from their prior week's loss to West Monroe, Louisiana (4-0) with a devastating 63-0 shutout of Shawnee (2-1). The Hornets held their foes to a mere 109 offensive yards, while racking up 488 of their own. Phillip Wheatley was 9-13-166-1 and the Hornets were 32-322 on the ground. They secured two interceptions and one fumble recovery, but gave up 137 yards in penalties. 

Read the full story from Mark Foster with the Tulsa World.

Ponca (0-3) is coming off a much needed bye week after being brutalized 48-0 by Guthrie (1-2), 61-34 by Enid (2-0), and 28-7 by Edmond Memorial (1-2). 

The pick: BTW 59 Ponca 6.

No. 2 Bixby Spartans (Last week No. 1) vs. Westmoore Jaguars

The defending Division II State Champions (1-2) suffered a major blow Thursday, falling 37-35 to Putnam City (3-0) in a sloppy offensive mess. The Pirates started 16-0 and the Spartans ended 13-0, but failed a two-point pass that would have tied things up. Bixby gave up a full field's length in penalties, fumbled five times, and threw four interceptions. 

Read the full story from Jacob Unruh with The Oklahoman.

Westmoore (3-0) is still undefeated this season, winning their first three games in dominating fashion. The Class 6A-I Jaguars won their hometown rivalry series 50-18 over Moore (1-2) and 53-6 over Southmoore (0-3) before rolling over Edmond North (1-2) 42-17. Braxton George ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries. Braxton Bohrofen passed 24-38-323-1 for three touchdowns. The Jaguars outpaced their fores 540 yards to 229.

Read the full story from Peter Agnitsch with the Edmond Sun.

The pick: Bixby 45 Westmoore 38.0

No. 3 Midwest City Bombers (3) vs. No. 4 Lawton Wolverines (5) *District 1

The Bombers (2-1) bounced back from an overtime loss to Booker T. with a 41-6 blowout of 5A Del City (1-2). Preston Colbert ran in two scores and passed 13-18-255-1 for three touchdowns to three different receivers. The run game was practically nonexistent, however with 27 carries for 43 yards. Defensively they held Del City to 213 yards while picking off two passes and snagging one fumble recovery. In a recurring trend among the top teams in 6A-II, the Bombers gave up a field's worth of penalties.

Read the full story from Adam Kemp with The Oklahoman.

Lawton (2-1) rolled over their 5A in-town rivals in Eisenhower (0-3) 67-13 with five touchdowns from Miles Davis who carried nine times for 226 yards. Alihas Hopper was equally lethal, passing 5 of 9 for 157 yards and a score.

Read the full story from Glen Brockenbush with The Lawton Constitution.

The pick: MWC 31 Lawton 27.

No. 5 Muskogee Roughers (4) vs. No. 9 Bartlesville Bruins (8) *District 2

Muskogee (1-2) lost their season opener 26-20 to Midwest City despite ending with 20 unanswered points, then shutout McAlester 54-0, then started Friday's game 10-0 for a streak of 84 unanswered points before Bentonville West (3-0) put an end to the onslaught and ultimately prevailed 43-35. The Roughers gave up 116 yards in penalties, fumbled twice and lost one. Jacob Medrano passed 23-40-328-0 with three scores, while Kristian Hillmon led the ground game with 10 carries for 57 yards and a score. Head Coach Rafe Watkins credited thirteen dropped passes, one that could have been a score, as a top contributing factor in the loss. 

Read the full story from Mike Kays with the Muskogee Phoenix.

Bartlesville (1-2) kicked off the season with a 30-25 victory over 5A McAlester (0-3), but dropped their past two games 56-14 to 6A-I Owasso (3-0) and 48-29 to 4A Cascia Hall (1-2). Noah Sunday threw 15 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns against the Commandos. The Bruins lost their Head Coach two weeks ago, putting the reigns in the hands of interim coach Kyle Ppool. They had a bye week to adapt to the changes.

Read the full story from Nathan Thompson with the Bartlesville Examiner.

The Pick: Muskogee 47 Bartlesville 21.

No. 6 Putnam City Pirates (10) vs. No. 7 Choctaw Yellowjackets (6) *District 1

Putnam City (3-0) pulled off a massive 37-35 upset against the defending State Champions from Bixby (1-2) thanks to a powerful passing game, solid defense, and a whole lot of Spartan miscues. A.J. Newsome was 23-38-418-2 with all five Pirate touchdowns. The Pirates won the turnover battle with one fumble recovery and four interceptions, and blocked a punt for a safety in the first quarter, jumping out to a 16-0 lead. 

Choctaw (3-0) is on their first 3-0 start since 1982 after dominating Putnam City North (1-2) 42-14. Hudson Woods was 19-27-158 passing with two touchdowns and added another 95 yards on the ground. The Yellowjackets amassed 220 rushing yards in the murderous campaign.

Read the full story from Ryan Horton with the Chcotaw Times.

The pick: Putnam 34 Choctaw 24.

No. 8 Sand Springs Sandtes (7) vs. No. 14 Sapulpa Chieftains (14) *District 2

Charles Page High School (1-2) notched their first win of the season 28-14 against Putnam City West (1-2), finally getting the monkey off their back in regards to the passing game. The bulk of their offense came from Payton Scott's 34 carries for 231 yards and three touchdowns, but Caden Pennington had his breakout game passing 6-12-145-1 for a touchdown. Scott was also the leading receiver with 3 catches for 91 yards and a score. Defensively the Sandites recorded two forced fumbles, one recovery, and one interception.

Read the full story from Scott Emigh with Sandite Pride News.

Sapulpa (0-3) is off to a rough start this year, falling 28-12 to Duncan (1-2), 27-20 to Choctaw (3-0), and 38-3 to Bishop Kelley (2-1). 

The pick: CPHS 35 Sapulpa 12.

No. 10 Enid Plainsmen (9) vs. No. 13 Putnam City West Patriots (13) *District 2

Enid (2-1) suffered their first loss of the year 60-34 at the hands of 5A powerhouse Bishop McGuinness (3-0), putting up 454 yards to the Irish's 640. Mason Skrimager passed 25-44-228-0 with one touchdown in the loss, and picked up another score on a 66-yard run. The Plainsmen finished with 226 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, three of which came from outside the red zone. The Plainsmen were well disciplined with no fumbles, no interceptions, and only five penalties for 26 yards. 

Read the full story from Dave Ruthenberg with Enid News.

Putnam West (1-2) had a hard-fought 28-14 loss to Sand Springs. The Patriots had zero passing game, making only one completion for eight yards, and throwing one interception to accompany their six fumbles. On the ground they were 48-276.

The pick: Enid 42 PCW 21.

No. 11 Deer Creek Antlers (11) vs. No. 12 Stillwater Pioneers (12) *District 1

Deer Creek (2-1) snapped back from a 38-21 loss to Edmond Santa Fe (2-2) with a 27-14 win over Edmond Memorial (2-2). Hunter Freese passed 14-25-252 with two touchdowns and ran the ball nine times for 66 yards. 

Read the full story from Aaron Albertson with the Edmond Sun.

Stillwater (3-0) had a huge 31-14 upset win over Mustang (2-1), utilizing six turnovers to stun a team that had dominated its first two opponents. Gunnar Gundy passed 12-22-105-0 for one touchdown, while Qwontrel Walker lit up the ground with 27 carries for 159 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Disidore added another 7 carries for 77 yards and two scores. 

Read the full story from Jimmy Gillispie with the Stillwater News Press.

The pick: Stillwater 28 Deer Creek 17. 
 

Scott Emigh
Editor-in-Chief
Overall: 23-10 (.697)
Last Week: 8-3 (.727)
Last Year: 48-21 (.695)

Virgil Noah
Staff Writer
Overall: 11-10* (.523)
Last Week: 7-4 (.636)
Last Year: 43-26 (.623)

*Virgil missed the first week of picks.

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.