Tulsa World: Softball State Tournament Preview

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Softball State Tournament Preview

By LYNN JACOBSEN, World Sports Writer
Published: 10/8/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 10/8/2009 5:42 AM

Class 4A

Amy Harrison's game-winning hit guaranteed third-ranked Claremore Sequoyah (27-4) of a third consecutive trip to state.

The Eagles face No. 6 Piedmont in first round play of the Class 4A state softball tournament at 3:15 p.m. Thursday at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

"Miami walked her three times then decided to pitch to her in the seventh inning," Eagles coach Krystal Markwardt said.

Bailey Erwin is 27-4 with a 0.75 earned run average. Shelby Morose is a four-year starter and the only senior on the team.

Tigers face tough test: Eighth-ranked Fort Gibson faces two-time defending state champion Tuttle.

The Tigers won eight of their last 11 games behind pitcher Taylor Mills (16-4, 0.60 ERA), who has 181 strikeouts.

Sarah Steele leads the team in hitting (.354) followed by Mikki Stone (.338) and Ashley Nevitt (.326).

Earning respect: Unranked Hilldale slipped into the state tournament by upsetting No. 7 Bristow with solid play, coach Darren Riddle said.

"We're playing pretty loose right now," the coach said.

Anchoring the team is senior four-hole hitter Paige Boling and sophomores Danielle Riddle (17-7) and Kali Romine.

Class 3A

Trojans battle adversity: Second-ranked Caney Valley battled back through the loser's bracket of the regional tournament to defeat Kansas and advance to state and will face Chandler at 3:15 p.m. Thursday.

"In softball,

it all starts in the circle and Paige Eden for us," coach Bryan Gardner said. "She's throwing well and responds in big games."

Seniors Jacee Hampshire and Macy Wright and juniors Eden and tw

in Shelby are the team's playmakers, the coach said.

Jasilyn Gann, Lindsey Shibel and Malory Madden are big contributors.

Late bloomers: Henryetta (20-13) scored late then rolled into state on a 14-1 romp over Antlers.

The Knights face Tahlequah Sequoyah at 1:45 p.m. Thursday.

"This is our sixth trip in seven years," coach Sherri Freeman said.

The Knights are led by catcher Shasta Blake (.475) and three-hole hitter Tarra Underhill (.489, nine home runs).

Senior statement: Tahlequah Sequoyah seniors Cortney Glass, Hayle Beck, Nikki Lewis, Caitlin Dry, Megan Tehee and Lindsay Hammer are making their second consecutive state tournament trip. The group has averaged 30 victories a season the last four years.

"We're playing pretty good," coach Jeff Turtle said. "We've played a tough schedule. All our losses have come against teams in higher classes."

Glass picked up her 100th career victory in a tournament in Colorado earlier this year. She is 23-5 on the season.

Class 2A

Potent offense carries Drumright: No. 8 Drumright outscored regional foes 35-4, including a 16-2 romp over Commerce in which the Tornadoes had three triples and two doubles in one inning.

Drumright is anchored by seniors Holly Mock, Ashley Harper and Shelby Burress.

Class A

Defense carries Bulldogs: No. 2 Davenport (25-12) punched its ticket to state with strong defense, coach Heather Gaylord said.

Led by seniors Ali Vandever and Paige Smith and juniors Johni Foster and Sierra Melson, the Bulldogs outscored regional opponents 19-2.

"We're hitting through the lineup which is what you want at this time of the year," Gaylord said. By LYNN JACOBSEN, World Sports Writer

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