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. 

CPHS Softball: Lady Sandites sweep Highway 97 Rivalry series with 12-4 road win

The Charles Page High School Fast-Pitch Softball team (9-2) improved to 5-0 in district play Thursday evening with a resounding 12-4 win over Sapulpa (3-10, 2-5) on their arch-rivals' home field. The Sandites are tied with Broken Arrow as the only two undefeated teams in the district, and they are 2-0 against Sapulpa after defeating their foes 12-1 last week. 

Sand Springs didn't quite repeat their run-rule victory from the week before, but the game was never in any doubt after the visiting Sandites drilled four runs in the top of the first.

Three singles saw Elizabeth Luttrell score Kimi Presnell and Sabrina Usher, then Luttrell and Madelyn Blair came in on a single from Jensen Arnold. Luttrell tacked on a fifth run in the top of the third with a solo home run on the second pitch of the inning. 

The fourth inning brought further damage to the home team as Presnell received a walk, stole second and third, then scored on a hit from Makenna Skaggs. Blair also walked, Luttrell singled, and both scored on a single from Felicity Horn for the 8-0 advantage.

Sapulpa finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth with one single and a pair of walks to load the bases. Jacie Taber (7-0 season, 20-7 career) struck out one, walked in one run, then sent a groundball to first to strand loaded bases. 

In the fifth inning Arnold hit a double and was relieved by courtesy runner Rachel Jones, who promptly scored on a single from Taber. Kinsey Skaggs relieved Taber and scored on a hit from Sabrina Usher to make it 10-1. Taber batted in another run in the sixth to score Cameron Clemons. 

Sapulpa notched their second run of the game in the bottom of the sixth by hitting three singles, the last of which brought in Ally Zanca. The Sandites got their final run from Makenna Skaggs who reached on one error and scored on another. 

The Chieftains tried to stage a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Azelea Fogleman was hit by pitch and Kali Husman doubled. Both scored, but those would be the last runs of the game as Zanca flied out to left field and Sand Springs secured the win. 

The Lady Sandites will return to action next Thursday with a district road game against Stillwater (4-5, 2-2).

CPHS Softball: Taber strikes out 11 in 6-0 shut out of Jenks

The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (8-2 overall, 4-0 district) bounced back from a 6-4 loss to 2A No. 1 Dale (14-0) with a 6-0 shutout of Jenks (7-6) Tuesday afternoon at the Sandite Sports Complex, outhitting their foes 11-5 with eleven strikeouts from University of Northern Iowa-commit Jacie Taber (6-0 season, 19-7 career). 

The Lady Trojans put two on base in the first inning with a walk and a single, but stranded both after Taber struck out two. The Lady Sandites got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning as Sabrina Usher reached on a fielder's choice and scored on hit from Madelyn Blair. Elizabeth Luttrell brought home Blair with a single for the 2-0 advantage.

The girls had a big third inning with singles from Kimi Presnell, Makenna Skaggs, and Usher, the latter of whom scored Presnell. Skaggs and Usher both came in on a double from Blair, who was left stranded. 

The Sandites gave up a single in the top of the fourth, but Blair sent a ground ball to Presnell at second, who passed it to Luttrell at first for a double play. Taber struck out the third batter.

Jenks threatened in the sixth, loading the bases with a single and a pair of free bases, but Taber made up for the walks with three-straight strikeouts to save the inning. Felicity Horn scored on an error in the bottom of the inning for the final score of 6-0. 

On Friday the girls traveled to Stillwater for a festival. They took on the top-ranked undefeated team in class 2A and fell 6-4, bringing an end to their six-straight win streak, and had their second game rained out. 

Blair (2-2, 15-4) got the loss on the mound, giving up nine hits and three walks with two strikeouts against the defending 2A Fast-Pitch State Runners-Up and 4A Slow-Pitch State Champions.

Dale scored four runs in the top of the fourth with a grand slam from Skyle Thompson and added two more in the next inning. 

In the bottom of the sixth the Sandites staged a rally attempt with four straight singles. Taber scored Horn, Blair scored Skaggs and Taber, then Presnell doubled to bring in Usher. Madison Lee hit a double in the bottom of the seventh, but was left stranded on third as Dale secured the win.

The Lady Sandites will return to action Thursday on the road with a Highway 97 Rivalry district match-up against Sapulpa (3-9, 2-4) who they previously defeated 12-1 last week.

CPHS Softball wins sixth-straight with run-rule rivalry victory over Sapulpa

The Charles Page High School fast-pitch softball team (7-1 overall, 4-0) took on Putnam City North (3-5) in their first home game of the season Tuesday and won the district double-header by scores of 3-1 and 12-3. On Thursday they carried that momentum into a Highway 97 rivalry matchup with Sapulpa and run-ruled their foes 12-1.

Sand Springs took the lead out of the gate in game one as Jacie Taber scored Makenna Skaggs with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. She struck out the side in the next inning, clearing the way for two more runs in the bottom of the second.

Rachel Jones singled and scored on a hit from Felicity Horn, while Elizabeth Luttrell doubled and scored on an error. Skaggs came close to scoring again in the bottom of the fourth after hitting a double, but was caught running for home on a single from Taber.

The visitors notched their lone run in the top of the seventh but were unable to stage a rally.

Sand Springs outhit Putnam twelve to two, while Taber struck out eleven on the mound against five walks.

Sand Springs actually did less hitting in the second game, but benefited from six walks and four errors. Horn scored three times, Makenna Skaggs and Kimi Presnell scored twice, and Kinsey Skaggs, Taber, Sabrina Usher, Madison Lee, and Luttrell also crossed home plate.

Madelyn Blair got it done on the mound and at the plate, batting in three runs on three hits while also striking out six batters. 

The Sapulpa game was another slugging clinic as the Sandites recorded thirteen hits for a .500 team average. 

Sapulpa threatened early with two walks and a single, but stranded loaded bases in the first inning. Horn drew a walk and came in on a single from Taber, who then struck out the side in the top of the second. 

Cameron Clemons and Luttrell scored in the second and Jones scored in the fourth, while Sapulpa's lone run came in the top of the third. 

The Sandites put the game away in the bottom of the sixth as Horn and Blair walked and Taber singled, loading the bases. Usher doubled in Makenna Skaggs and Drew Hawkins, Presnell doubled in Blair and Usher, then Clemons doubled in Presnell. Jones, Luttrell, and Clemons all scored on a single from Horn, thanks to an error and some long throws to clinch the game at 12-1.

The Lady Sandites will return to action Friday at the Stillwater festival.

CPHS Softball: Lady Sandites win back-to-back shutouts at RSU festival

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The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (4-1 overall, 1-0 district) won back-to-back shutouts Friday in Claremore, defeating Wyandotte (6-3) and Purcell (1-3) by a combined 14-0 at Rogers State University. 

Madelyn Blair (1-1 season, 14-3 career) pitched the 6-0 shutout against Wyandotte, recording five strikeouts against three hits and three walks. 

The Sandites averted a hazardous first inning after giving up a walk and a single. Blair picked up two strikeouts and Kimi Presnell caught a pop up strand the runners. Felicity Horn was first to score, reaching first with a walk, second on a sacrifice from Makenna Skaggs, and scoring on a ground ball from Jacie Taber.

The scoreboard took a nap till the bottom of the fourth when Rachel Jones came in on an error and Elizabeth Luttrell singled in Presnell. In the next inning Taber scored on a sacrifice fly from Jensen Arnold, Presnell scored on a single from Cameron Clemons, and Clemons scored on a single from Madison Lee.

Sand Springs jumped out to a quick lead against Purcell. Taber (3-0, 16-7) pitched two strikeouts in the first inning and stranded two in the second with a third strikeout. In the bottom of the second Presnell doubled to bring in Sabrina Usher, then scored on a groundball from Clemons. In the third inning Blair doubled to score Horn

The Sandites put the game away in the fourth inning. Usher scored on an error, Presnell scored on a passed ball, and Jones scored on a single from Luttrell. Horn hit a double, Luttrell scored on an error, then Horn came home on a single from Taber.

Taber struck out the side in the top of the fifth to wrap things up with eight strikeouts against only two hits and two walks. The University of Northern Iowa committed junior remains undefeated on the mound this season. 

The Lady Sandites will return to action Tuesday with a double-header against Putnam City North in their home stadium at 5:00 p.m.

CPHS Softball: Sydney Pennington selected as All-Tulsa World Player of the Year Finalist

Charles Page High School Class of 2017 graduate and Oklahoma State University freshman Sydney Pennington was selected as one of three All-Tulsa World Athlete of the Year finalists for Softball.

Pennington finished her senior season with a .543 batting average, 1.010 slugging average, and .647 on-base percentage. She hit 27 singles, 19 doubles, 1 triple, 10 home runs, and 38 RBI, and scored 45 runs. She was also walked 31 times, usually intentionally. As a pitcher she earned an undefeated 6-0 record with a 1.41 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and 1.135 WHIP. The Lady Sandites finished the year with a 30-9 record. They were the District Runners-Up, State Semifinalists, and 6A Academic State Champions.

In addition to her impressive stats on the diamond, she was also the leading scorer on the basketball team with 10.77 points per game, despite sharing the ball with two other Division I recruits. She led the team on four separate occasions her senior year and set a personal-best of 32 points in a single game during her sophomore season. The Sandites went 24-2 for a Conference Championship and were State Semifinalists. 

Pennington was named to the OCA All-State teams for both sports, was the FVC Player of the Year in basketball, and is a four-time Sandite of the Week.

Final selection for the Athlete of the Year will be made at the All World Awards dinner on July 8th at Marriott Southern Hills.