CPHS Softball: Sandites shut out Bartlesville 19-0, biggest win in five years

The Charles Page High School fast pitch softball team (3-0, 1-0) walked away with their biggest win in five seasons Thursday afternoon, pummeling Bartlesville 19-0 in a non-district tune up before their weekend tournament.

The Sandites recorded fifteen hits, including home runs from Sabrina Usher and Makenna Skaggs. Usher, a Rogers State University-committed senior, marked her second-straight four-for-four performance at the plate with four runs and six RBI. She has hit home runs in two straight games, and hit for the cycle against Ponca City on Tuesday.

Usher kicked off the day with a two-RBI double in the first inning, then scored on an error. Skaggs hit a two-run homer for a 5-0 lead to end the inning. Usher’s homer was the lone run of the second.

Sand Springs stranded two in the third, but Usher got them back on track in the fourth with an RBI single. Things quickly began to fall apart for the Bruins, who walked seven and gave up eight hits in the inning. Felicity Horn, Madison Lee, Usher, Lauren Hammock, Avery Tanner, Jolee McNally, Drew Hawkins, Rachel Jones, Jaden Jordan, and Jordyn Pearson all scored in the thirteen-run inning.

Mackenzie Bechtold (1-0, 5-0) picked up her first win of the season, throwing one hit, two strikeouts, and two walks. Sydney Price took the loss for Bartlesville with five hits, two strikeouts, and one walk.

Bartlesville (0-3, 0-2) will return to district action Friday at 4:30 p.m. with a double header against Choctaw (3-0, 3-0). Sand Springs will compete in the Broken Arrow Tournament Friday. They will play Tahlequah (1-1) at 10:00 a.m. on Field 3, Westmoore (1-0) at 11:00 a.m. on Field 4, and Hilldale (0-0) at 5:00 p.m. on Field 4 in Arrowhead Park.

CPHS Volleyball: Sandites sweep Okay 3-0 in home opener

The Charles Page High School varsity volleyball team (1-1) picked up its first win of the season Thursday evening at the Ed Dubie Field House with a 3-0 non-conference sweep of Okay (1-1). The Lady Sandites won sets of 25-13, 25-21, and 25-15.

The eventual victor was clear from the very beginning as the Sandites won twelve straight rallies in the first set, led by McKenzie Harris with three kills.

Game two was far closer with the Sandites’ longest streak coming in at five rallies. Lexi Erb scored four kills and an ace to keep her team competitive. The final fen rallies were a five-five split between the two teams, with Devree Youngblood scoring the game-winner.

The Sandites started the third set 4-0 with kills from Madison Burris and Vanessa Wyrick, and a pair of aces from Raylynn Mong, then pushed their lead to 7-1 with an ace from Cloe Campfield. The Lady Mustangs cut the gap to 8-7 and hung tight till Erb notched a kill and an ace at 12-11. Then Sand Springs ran away with it and sailed to a 25-15 finish.

Youngblood led all scorers with eight kills, followed by Wyrick and Campfield with six each. Mong recorded a team-high eleven assists, followed by Burris with ten. Erb finished with seven kills for the Mustangs.

Sand Springs will return to action Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. when they play the defending 4A State Champions from Victory Christian (2-0) in the first round of the Union Invitational. They will play Edmond North (1-0) at 12:00 p.m. and the defending 5A State Champions from Bishop Kelley (1-0) at 3:00 p.m.

Okay will host Tulsa NOAH (2-0) Monday at 6:00 p.m.

(Sand Springs Stats)
Kills: Youngblood 8, Wyrick 6, Campfield 6, Burris 4, Harris 4, Smith 2, Robbins 1.
Assists: Mong 11, Burris 10, Blaylock 2, Harris 1.
Blocks: Youngblood 2, Smith 2.
Digs: Blacklock 4, Burris 1, Wicker 1, Youngblood 1, Robbins 1.
Aces: Mong 2, Burris 1, Campfield 1.
(Okay Stats)
Kills: Erb 7, Walters 3, K. Green 3.
Blocks: Erb 2, S. Green 1, Walters 1.
Aces: Erb 2, K. Green 1, Hopkins 1.

CPHS Softball: Three Sandites hit home runs in 11-1 drubbing of Ponca City

Three Sandites hit home runs, two had triples, and two had doubles Tuesday afternoon in Ponca City as the Charles Page High School softball team (2-0, 1-0) notched their first district win of the season, 11-1 against the Wildcats (1-1, 0-1).

Senior standout Sabrina Usher went four-for-four at the plate, leading the team in hits with a single, a double, a triple, and a homer for two runs and five RBI.

Felicity Horn hit the first home run of the season in the first at-bat of the game, followed by back-to-back triples from Madison Lee and Usher. Usher scored on a passed ball for the 3-0 first inning lead. Mackenzie Bechtold reached on a passed ball in the second inning and Horn doubled. Both came in on a homer from Lee.

Usher hit a three-run homer in the fourth to score Horn and Lee. Jaden Jordan and Makenna Skaggs singled, then Skaggs stole third and scored on a fielder’s choice to make it 10-1. Usher batted in Lee in the fifth for the final run of the game.

The Wildcats’ lone run came on a third inning error. Aliyah Taff (2-0, 6-6) got the win on the mound with five hits, six strikeouts, and one walk. She struck out three in the bottom of the fifth to strand two runners and secure the run-rule victory.

The Sandites will return to action Thursday at home when they host Bartlesville (0-1) in a 5:30 p.m. non-district game.

District Standings
1-0 Sand Springs (2-0)
1-1 Shawnee (1-2)
1-1 Sapulpa (1-1)
0-0 Muskogee (0-1)
0-0 Jenks (0-0)
0-0 Owasso (0-0)
0-1 Ponca City (1-1)

CPHS Volleyball: Sandites fall 3-0 to Broken Arrow in season debut

The Charles Page High School varsity volleyball team suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the defending Frontier Valley Conference Champions Tuesday evening in Broken Arrow, losing in sets of 25-9, 25-10, and 25-13.

“We played a really good team in Broken Arrow,” said first-year Head Coach Derek Jackson. “They played above their norm and we played below ours, not a good combination.”

Things started fairly even with Vanessa Wyrick and Devree Youngblood combining on a block, followed by a pair of early kills from Madison Burris and Cloe Campfield. But the home team quickly found their legs and won six straight rallies for a 16-7 lead. An error and a kill from Youngblood gave the Sandites their last points of the set, then the Tigers won the remaining nine rallies. Macy Blackburn led all scorers with five kills in the game.

The second set was equally lopsided in the Tigers’ favor, though the runs were never quite as long. Natalie Morales and Haylie Jones combined for five aces, while Youngblood had her best round for Sand Springs with three kills and an assist. Sand Springs kept up through most of the third game and was only down 11-8 before the Tigers went on a six-point run and never looked back.

“We had some good moments and some great rallies with them,” said Jackson. “Got to string them together a little more often.”

Youngblood and Campfield scored five kills apiece, followed by sophomore Jacelyn Smith with four. Madison Burris and Raylynn Mong each recorded four assists, while Smith and Sophie Singleton had two blocks apiece. Youngblood led the defense with four digs.

Broken Arrow will compete in the Norman Tournament this Friday, while the Sandites will host Okay (1-0) in their home opener Thursday.

Frontier Valley Conference Standings
1-0 Broken Arrow (1-0)
1-0 Sapulpa (1-0)
1-0 Bixby (1-0)
1-0 Owasso (1-0)
1-0 Jenks (1-0)
0-1 Bartlesville (0-1)
0-1 Union (0-1)
0-1 Booker T. Washington (0-1)
0-1 Muskogee (0-1)
0-1 Sand Springs (0-1)

(Sand Springs Stats)
Kills: Campfield 5, Youngblood 5, Smith 4, Burris 2, Wyrick 1, Mong 1.
Assists: Burris 4, Mong 4, Youngblood 1, Smith 1.
Blocks: Smith 2, Singleton 2, Youngblood 1, Wyrick 1.
Digs: Youngblood 4, Blaylock 2, Campfield 1, Smith 1.
(Broken Arrow Stats)
Kills: Blackburn 7, Boss 5, McGuire 5, Smith 4, Daniels 3, Hathhorn 3, Clark 3, Mullins 2, Jones 1, Floyd 1.
Aces: Morales 4, Jones 2, Ferguson 1, McGuire 1.
Blocks: Clark 2, Blackburn 1.

CPHS Softball Season Preview: Q&A with Head Coach Shelli Brown

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team kicked off the 2019 Fast Pitch season with a convincing 5-0 shutout of Tahlequah Monday evening and will play their first district game Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in Ponca City.

The Sandites are coming off a 23-9 season and State Tournament appearance. They have won over 70% of their games for four-straight seasons and have won four-straight Regional Championships.

Several upperclassmen will be returning with extensive hitting and fielding experience. Felicity Horn (.345), Makenna Skaggs (.353), and Sabrina Usher (.458) will lead the offensive. The three combined for 94 hits, 80 runs, and 79 RBI last season, with Usher hitting 9 home runs. Aliyah Taff (5-6) will lead the bullpen as the lone returning pitcher.

Head Coach Shelli Brown is in her 23rd year at the helm and owns a 551-303 record at Sand Springs.

Which players do you expect to be leaders this season?

“My senior group has been doing a great job of leading this team. They have made it to the State Tournament now 3 years in a row and they use part of that to help motivate this team. The team chemistry is coming together and they’re doing a great job with incorporating new players into our program.”

Which newcomers do you expect to make a difference?

“I hope all of our players will make a difference. We have some young players that are getting that next level of experience and some of our returners are filling some big shoes left from our senior class last season.”

Team strengths and weaknesses going into the season?

“Team strengths will be chemistry and working together. They want to accomplish their team goals and they have the work ethic to make that happen.

“Hopefully we can turn a weakness into our strengths. I think the more this team gets to play together the stronger they will become as a unit and hopefully we will accomplish the goals we set for ourselves.”

Do you have any particular teams circled on the schedule?

“Every game is important to us. We take one day at a time and one game at a time. Our strength of our schedule will hopefully help us compete throughout the season.”

Do you have a particular coaching style/philosophy? How has it developed over your career?

“I believe in our kids and my coaches. Our community gives us great support. Our alumni have built this program and have helped us set our expectations high. We have established a tradition of success and it takes a great coaching staff and great kids.”

Who are some of your coaching influences?

“My parents. My past coaches, who I still have conversations with throughout the year. I had the opportunity to coach with Sheri Coale (University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball) early in my coaching career which was also a great influence. My coaching staff present and past has given me great opportunities to have great relationships and have memories that will always stay with me.”

What is your life like outside of coaching/teaching? Hobbies, interests, family?

“I have a great family. We are very close. We love to go to the lake and fish. I love to work in my yard. It’s relaxing to me. I like to travel when I have the time, which isn’t as often as I like.”

Coaching Staff

Head Coach - Shelli Brown
Assistant Coach - Brooke Smart
Assistant Coach - Jenny Owen
Assistant Coach - Brad Ehmke
JV Coach - Patty Keho
JV Coach - Courtney Harbaugh

Roster
1 - Avery Tanner (Sophomore) C/2B/OF
2 - Drew Hawkins (Junior) 2B/OF
5 - Jolee McNally (Sophomore) 2B/SS/OF
6 - Aliyah Taff (Junior) P/OF
10 - Makenna Skaggs (Senior) C/3B/OF
11 - Rachael Jones (Senior) OF/Utility
12 - Madison Lee (Junior) SS/2B
13 - Nataley Crawford (Freshman) P/SS
14 - Jordyn Pearson (Senior) P/OF
15 - Raegan Rector (Sophomore) P/1B/OF
18 - Felicity Horn (Senior) C/2B/OF
19 - Lauren Hammock (Sophomore) 1B/OF
21 - Sabrina Usher (Senior) C
25 - Mackenzie Bechtold (Senior) P/1B
27 - Olivia Alexander (Freshman) C
28 - Jaden Jordan (Freshman) 1B

Varsity Schedule
8.12 Tahlequah (H) - 6:30 p.m.
8.13 Ponca City (A) - 4:30 p.m.
8.15 Bartlesville (H) - 5:30 p.m.
8.16 Tahlequah (Broken Arrow) - 10:00 a.m.
8.16 Westmoore (Broken Arrow) - 11:00 a.m.
8.16 Tahlequah Sequoyah (Broken Arrow) - 5:00 p.m.
8.17 Yukon (Broken Arrow) - 9:00 a.m.
8.17 Broken Arrow (A) - 12:30 p.m.
8.17 TBA (Broken Arrow) - 4:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.
8.20 Sapulpa (H) - 5:00 p.m.
8.22 Claremore (RSU) - 10:00 a.m.
8.22 Coweta (RSU) - 11:30 a.m.
8.23 Newcastle (Stillwater) - 10:00 a.m.
8.23 Elk City (Stillwater) - 1:15 p.m.
8.26 Jenks (A) - 5:00 p.m.
8.27 Muskogee (H) - 5:00 p.m.
8.29 Shawnee (A) - 5:00 p.m.
9.5 Sapulpa (H) - 5:00 p.m.
9.6 - 9.7 Choctaw Tournament
9.10 Ponca City (H) - 5:00 p.m.
9.12 Owasso (A) - 7:00 p.m.
9.17 Muskogee (A) - 5:00 p.m.
9.19 Shawnee (H) - 5:00 p.m.
9.24 Owasso (H) - 5:30 p.m.
9.26 Jenks (H) - 5:00 p.m.
9.27 - 9.28 NSU Tournament
10.1 Collinsville (H) - 5:00 p.m.
10.3 Oologah (A) - 5:00 p.m.

CPHS Softball: Sandites shut out Tahlequah 5-0 in season opener

The Charles Page High School fast pitch softball team notched a solid 5-0 win against Tahlequah in their season opener Monday evening. The girls outhit their foes 12-3 but stranded six runners, including five in scoring position. Their first run didn’t come till the bottom of the fifth, but they blew the game wide open with four runs in the sixth.

Felicity Horn scored the go-ahead run on a triple from Madison Lee in the fifth inning, then hit a 2RBI triple to bring in Drew Hawkins and Rachael Jones in the sixth. Makenna Skaggs and Avery Tanner hit back to back doubles to start the sixth and Hawkins batted in Tanner for the 3-0 lead before Horn put the exclamation mark on the inning.

Aliyah Taff (1-0, 5-6) went the distance on the mound, giving up only two hits and no walks with five strikeouts. Bailey Jones got the loss for Tahlequah with one strikeout, ten hits, and no walks.

The Sandites will take to the road Tuesday and play their first district game at 4:30 p.m. against Ponca City (1-0). Tahlequah will host Durant Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in their first district game. Sand Springs and Tahlequah will get a rematch Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the first round of the Broken Arrow Tournament.