By Kervy Robles
Photos by Wes Sharp

The Tecumseh Savages softball team proved to be one of the most talented rosters in Oklahoma with a 38-5 overall record this season.

“The girls invested hours and hours in practice,” coach Chad Trahan said. “They were very disciplined and their effort was paid off.”
The Lady Savages showed several strengths throughout the campaign.

“We were solid defensively and strong in pitching. We became dominant in several areas of the field,” Trahan said.
As a result, Tecumseh finished its successful season named runner-up at the State Tournament in Class 4A fast pitch.
“We beat Tuttle twice in regular season,” Trahan said. “In the championship game, we had our chances but its [Tuttle] pitcher made a large difference. They deserved to win.”

Even though the team did not win the championship game, many players plan to hone their craft in the future.
In fact, some Lady Savages will continue their softball careers in college.

“Coach Trahan pushed me to be my best at all times and I worked hard to get the possibility to play in Wichita [State University],” pitcher Caitlin Bingham said. “I am very grateful for their help in making me the player I am today.”
Additionally, Houston Baptist University recruited center field Sierra Humphrey.
“I mainly contributed through my offensive game finishing the season with a .563 average, 44 RBIs and 58 runs scored. These numbers gave me the chance to sign with HBU the week after the State Tournament,” Humphrey said.

Franki Hull, Suni Meely and Carly Scallorn (Seminole State College), Erin Harris (the University of Tulsa) and Ashley Santino (Murray State College) close the list of seven seniors with college scholarships.
While some key plays may be leaving the team for collegiate competition, new talent will round out the next roster.

“Our JV [junior varsity] team finished 14-1 and we will replace our seniors with important players,” Trahan said.
Tecumseh will also see starters Kalie Johnson, Taylor Walker and Channing Scallorn return next season.

Coach Trahan and the Lady Savages foster high expectations for the following year.
“The expectations are always high. Our main goal is to get to the State Tournament and see what happens,” Trahan said.

By Kervy Robles

The Chandler Lions softball team finished No. 1 in Oklahoma and registered a 37-4 overall record this season.

The prosperous campaign permitted the Lady Lions to earn their second State Tournament Championship since 1962.

Chandler dominated every opponent on its way to success with some key characteristics.

“We had three pitchers, and each of them did an exceptional work,” coach Herring said. “In defense we never gave up runs, the girls knew what they were doing. Their job in offense was always well executed and made us strong.”

Even though it requires a talented roster to win tittles, coach Herring emphasized on four of his players.

“Baleigh and Neleigh Herring along with Blayne and Jayden Solberg were very important for us, the ‘Four Horsemen’ were essential pieces for our championship,” Herring said.

First, Baleigh Herring explained why the four players were given such a nickname.

“The ‘Four Horsemen’ name, it is because we are all four twins and everyone has been waiting the four of us to be seniors so we can finally win that state championship,” Baleigh Herring said.

After the championship, Neleigh Herring was named Little All-City Player of the Year and recruited by Wichita State University.

“It did not matter what time of night it was, I came over to get the keys of the indoor facilities to do some extra work, he would be there to let me in,” Neleigh Herring said. “He always supported me in my work to better myself, not only in pitching, but as an all around player.”

Thirdly, Jayden Solberg will continue her softball career in Seminole State.

“Some of us are seen in the background but everybody contributed,” Jayden Solberg said. “I personally helped most by having a consistently reliable glove in the outfield with an arm that kept a lot of runners on base.”

Finally, Blayne Solberg also signed with Seminole State and prioritized the role of the Four Horsemen at the end of the season.

“We have been playing together since we were little girls. We had a great connection,” Blayne Solberg said. “I could feed off them and we knew how to read each other during good and bad situations. This has helped us becoming very dependable behind the plate for our team.”

The Four Horsemen will leave a tremendous legacy, however Coach Herring has hope in the young prospects.

“We will lose important players but we had some projected starters from our JV,” Herring said. “They are Makalyn Herring, Hailey Williams and Kelsey Williams.”

The Lady Lions will also count on four returning starters such as Brooke McCollough, Natalie Garver, Brett Smith and Kylee Lynch.

The Pryor Lady Tigers came into the 2016 season looking to capture a state title that just barely eluded them in 2015. Last season, the Lady Tigers lost 2-1 in extra innings in the state title game to district rival Collinsville. This season, Pryor was determined to return to the state title game.

The Lady Tigers started the season 9-5, after only losing seven games all of last season. After an Aug. 23 loss to Collinsville, the Lady Tigers went on a tear, winning 14 of their next 16 games. Pryor finished the regular season with a 27-10 record overall and an 11-3 record in district play. That record was good for a second place finish in the district, right behind Collinsville.

Once the playoffs began, coach Mark Dicus’ team started playing its best softball of the season. The Lady Tigers outscored their opponents 50-8 and didn’t allow more than three runs in a game during the regional and state tournaments. Hunter Gilstrap and pitcher Olivia Rains stepped up for the Lady Tigers. Both played a key role in helping Pryor secure the title. With a relatively young roster, and Rains coming back, the Lady Tigers should be one of the favorites and have a great chance to repeat next season. After back-to-back 30-win seasons, coach Dicus has laid the groundwork for a dynasty at Pryor.

ROSTER

1 Olivia Cummings

2 Havannah Stites

4 Kailyn Howard

5 Maeme Ward

6 MKayla Hillman

7 Kennedy Cramer

8 Sami Dale

10 Payton White

22 Halee Nichols

23 Hunter Gilstrap

25 Olivia Rains

29 McKenzie Pathkiller

Softball Sydney Hampton – Durant

Maria Priest – Latta

Delayna Noggle – Red Oak

Macie Buckaloo – Davis

Blaire Wilson – Savanna

Karsyn Brigance – Red Oak

Carly Cox – Savanna

Destinee Lewis – Durant

Haley Morgan – Durant

Michaela Richbourg – Broken Bow

Trini-tee Harvey – Broken Bow

Jasmine Cooks – Broken Bow

Savanna Ashford – Sulphur

Skyler Mize – Sulphur

Jaylee Eaves – Tushka

Brayden Tisdale – Tushka

Maebree Abney – Stonewall

Darcie McCullar – Red Oak

Shae Stacy – Red Oak

Chelsea Alexander – Latta

Alexis Lambert – Stonewall

Tarin Dubler – Asher

Kirstie Blackwood – Wilburton

Anna Boyd – Tushka

Jolie Romine – Davis

Maisie Anderson – Wynnewood

Brynn Vaughan – McAlester

Morganne Freeman – Ada

Katy Redman – Ada

Maddy Pitts – Canadian

Ashlynn Robinson – Rock Creek

Molly Raney – Byng

Olivia Powell – Silo

Madison Roe – Coalgate

Olivia Weaver – Caddo

Faith Russell – Haileyville

PITCHER

Elexis Watson – Muskogee

Natalie Phelps – Beggs

Hunter Brown – Wister

Courtney Hill – Fort Gibson

Katy Medlin – Hulbert

Kiley Butler – Hilldale

Madison Phillips – Oktaha

Sammie Kuhns – Pocola

CATCHER

Brea Jordan – Fort Gibson

Emily Sampson – Tahlequah

Ashton Been – Dewar

Karlee Ashing – Oktaha

Ayme Warren – Wister

Sabetha Sands – Checotah

Kayla Batt – Sallisaw Central

INFIELD

Chelsea Anderson – Warner

Lindsi Spring – Beggs

Sydney Smith – Sequoyah Tahlequah

Aubree Bell – Hilldale

Gracie Dickson – Oktaha

Taten Hyde – Sallisaw

Kennedy Davis – Tahlequah

Madyson Robertson – Wagoner

Macy Brannon – LeFlore

Kamarie Wallace – Morris

Makaylee Wilson – Heavener

Triston Potts – Warner

OUTFIELD

Merrissa Smith – Sequoyah Tahlequah

Jasmine Scott – Porter

Madison Elbon – Vian

Addie Wolfe – Hilldale

Kenzie Mize – Hilldale

DelJah Jackson – Dewar

Megan Green – Sallisaw

UTILITY

Kyia Monahwee – Morris

Ashlyn Riley – Hulbert

Merissa Smith – Haskell

Adrianah Lee – Muldrow

Rachel Singleton – Eufaula

Shakyrah Gladness – Spiro

Dia Jackson – Vian

Makayla Hambrick – Poteau

Emily Yandell – Heavener

Hannah Owens – Porum

Jesse Summerfield plays outfield for the Jay Bulldog softball team. Summerfield came into the season looking to bunt better than any of her teammates. As a team, Summerfield said they wanted to play as one and make it to the state tournament. Summ erfield dedicated herself to getting better as a player this offseason, and her goal was to be a better person and player than she was yesterday.

In the future, Summerfield wants to become a traveling RN. Her desire to get into nursing led her to the Health Careers program at Northeast Tech. Summerfield said her mom influenced her to join the program. The Health Careers program helps students who are interested in nursing to learn about different positions in the health field. It gives students the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to get involved in different health care professions. Summerfield decided that Northeast Tech would give her an advantage when pursuing her career in nursing.

Summerfield said the best part of being a student athlete at Jay is how involved the entire community gets with the entire athletic department. The Bulldog family does a tremendous job of supporting its various teams, whether its football, softball or basketball. For her passion for nursing and efforts on the softball field, Jesse Summerfield is the Northeast Tech Athlete of the Month.

Shelby Riggs – Binger-Oney – P

Toni Kelly – Empire – P

Robyn Bales – Elk City – P

Monica Munn – Minco – P

Macy McAdoo – Tuttle – P

Emily Ely – Velma-Alma – P

Emilee Skipworth – Mt. View-Gotebo – P

Bailey Bearce – Bray-Doyle – P

Jordan Weese – Burns Flat-Dill City – P

Hanna Beth – Plainview – P

Janie Worthington – Carnegie – P

Abbee Allison – Lindsay – P

Lexi Duff – Ardmore – P

Ceya Montoya – Grandfield – P

Kiley Baxter – Alex – C

Peyton Sage – Binger-Oney – C

Kerrigan Thorne – MacArthur – C

Joanna Leon – Lookeba-Sickles – C

Nikki Ray – Clinton – C

Jacie Phillips – Hobart – C

Emily Yanez – Mountain View-Gotebo – C

Kylee Rice – Duke – C

Rylee Keith – Plainview – C

Kylee Sparks – Central Marlow – C

Karley Kinder – Carnegie – C

Carli Eubank – Amber-Pocasset – C

Madisen Moore – Ardmore – C

Shawnia Christensen – EC-Pernell – C

Dumonte Farrone – Lawton – 1B

Randi Lee Troglin – Mt. View-Gotebo – 1B

Sydney Simmons – Altus – 1B

Blakely Dill – Duke – 1B

Alyssa Pletcher – Lawton Ike – 1B

Hartley Duke – Lindsay – 1B

Emily Poindexter – Elgin – 1B

Caity Sparlin – Ardmore – 1B

Stephanie Cooper – Duncan – 2B

Riley Bryson – Clinton – 2B

Raegen Jackson – Amber-Pocasset – 2B

Brennae Hines – Alex – SS

Tayah Allen – Duncan – SS

Angelica Gonzalez Aponte – Lawton – SS

Augusta Duty – Minco – SS

Caycee Griffin – Healdton – SS

Hannah Morris – Tuttle – SS

Mikayla Wilson – Velma-Alma – SS

Payton Szalaj – Sulphur – SS

Kelsee Baker – Altus – SS

Kyndalin Byrd – Bray-Doyle – SS

Calebi Cusher – Duke – SS

Sami Skelly – Plainview – SS

Laylee Ramirez – Grandfield – SS

Destiny Spradlin – Burns Flat-Dill City – 3B

Morgan Chavez – Ardmore – 3B

Sabri Britton – Binger-Oney – OF

Devyn Metcalf – Elk City – OF

Sidney Patrick – Elk City – OF

Skylar Morse – Minco – OF

Sara Zukerman – MacArthur – OF

Brooklyn Mason – Lone Grove – OF

Kassidy Branam – Hobart – OF

Ashley Turner – Cache – OF

Brooklyn Minden – Central Marlow – OF

Aleigha Lowe – Elgin – OF

Bailey Sullivan – Empire – UTL

Harley Smith – Elk City – UTL

Rosie Ward – Cache – UTL

Wanette High School senior softball and basketball player Taylor Pawpa leads by example on and off the field of play.

As a senior leader and a member of the Potawatomi Tribe, Pawpa has an appreciation for her heritage and what they accomplished in the past to give her generation the opportunities they have today.

“Being part of the tribe means quite a bit to me personally. I get to learn about my past Indian heritage, about the ways that everyone was back then. I think its really cool being able to know all of it,” said Pawpa.

In every athletes life there is someone that influenced them or inspired them to be the best they can be in competition and in their personal life. For Pawpa that person was her Grandfather.

“A big influence in my family would have been my pawpaw. He worked 24/7 in so many different places, just trying to provide for us. He was a hero to me. He never gave up,” said Pawpa.

That influence has translated into Pawpa becoming a leader at Wanette High School.

“Being a leader means having the fight to be able to be brave against whatever comes your way. People are watching and following in your footsteps, why would you want them to go on a bad life course because of you? I don’t. That is why I try my hardest at mostly all I do so everyone can see that and do the same. You have to have perseverance and responsibility,” said Pawpa.

At school Pawpa is involved in STUCO and serves as Class President. She also serves on the Health and Fitness board.

For Pawpa having an influence over the younger members of the community is something she takes very serious.

“For the younger members of the tribe, I want to be someone they look up to and I want them to be able to come to me anytime no matter what, about anything they need. I will do my best to help any way possible,” said Pawpa.

After high school Pawpa plans to attend college at East Central University and pursue a masters degree in nursing.

Cyril senior Shekinah Gilliam is known as the hometown hero and a standout athlete from a long list of great athletes.

The family raised one All-State basketball player, one baseball player that was drafted out of high school by the Florida Marlins, then 10 years later along comes a surprise to keep the family sports tradition alive and well.

Shekinah was awarded the female Scholar Athlete of the Region.

Entering the season the Lady Pirates were ranked No. 1 in Class A, which put a big smile on the faces of the Gilliam family. The school and fans were excited to start the season. Pastor Donnie Miller led the community into renovating their softball field, pushing back the fence in the middle giving the stadium a deeper porch in center field. Now the stadium is known as the BIG BLUE, Cyril Lady Pirate Stadium. Gilliam hit an epic walk off homerun in her first home game this season and the legend began to grow.

Now a school record breaker, Gilliam was chosen to the All-Region and All-State teams, and led the Lady Pirates to a State runner-up finish. She was also selected as Miss Cyril High School and Most Respected this year. Her softball stats this season include 15 homeruns with the most RBI’s and best on base average. From the circle she accounted for 277 strikeouts in 30 games with no fielding errors. And who can forgot the memorable walk-off grand-slam?

Despite things not going their way in the state championship game, they family knew God’s grace is sufficient. Long time Pirate fan and retired President of the Cyril Bank Homer Thompson said, “She is just the everything softball here in Cyril.” One of her teammates said, “She was born to play the game. She was in a league of her own this season. It was amazing!”

Shekinah Star Gilliam will sign a scholarship to play for Seminole State and looks forward to working with coach Flores, a former Oklahoma 2-time Big 12 Player of the Year.

“I’ve met many of my goals but I still have my dream and that is to play in the Big 12 World Series back at the Hall of Fame Stadium on that same field. Softball has been life for me and my family. Home is the presence of God, green grass, and softball dirt, and I’m thankful to continue that journey,” said Gilliam.

Gilliam’s legacy at Cyril is clear. Hard work and dedication coupled with a passion for the game and a mental focus to see it through to your goals is the winning formula. Future players have the roadmap to follow and Gilliam has shown them the way.

By Lee Drake

Tawn Neidy is the captain of the NOC Maverick softball team for the 2016-17 season. An Oklahoma native from Chickasha, she has been playing softball since she was eight years old. She really got into softball as she progressed through middle school and started playing at the high school level. This season she is the starting center fielder for the Mavs.

Her true passion for the game makes her the perfect fit for team captain. “I get my passion from my older sister, as well as my father, but my mom is definitely my biggest fan,” says Neidy. She fell in love with the Mavericks team because of the camaraderie and the passion that all the girls have on the field.

Neidy originally did not think she would have the chance to play ball at the college level until she got a pair of offers over the summer after her senior year. Two Northern Oklahoma College teams, the Jets and the Mavericks, each made her an offer. She gladly chose the Mavericks and then began her college career playing ball. She spent her freshman year trying to improve as much as possible and bond with the team, and indeed it has paid off. Neidy loves getting on base and sharing glory with all of her teammates. She never wants one person to be the hero, because that is how you lose.

She loves playing softball for the Mavericks and so does her best friend, Brooklin Burns, also from Chickasha. One of the most enjoyable things for Neidy is just being able to step on the field with her best friend and her team. Whether winning or losing, she will fight to the last out. She doesn’t plan to play softball after the 2016-17 season unless she receives an offer. She admits that her true dream is to study abroad in Japan.

An International Business major, Neidy enjoys learning about different cultures and how we, as humans, can work together as one for the benefit of mankind. She plans to move on to the University of Oklahoma and pursue her dream of studying abroad.