Oklahoma high school slowpitch softball: Shattuck, Caddo, Oktaha claim championships
For the fourth time in school history, Shattuck is a slowpitch softball state champion.
The Indians’ offense exploded for 12 runs in the second inning against Canute and went on to roll to a 19-7 victory in five innings for the Class 2A crown Wednesday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.
Abbey Elam had a team-high two homers for Shattuck (39-3) and drove in four runs, while Camryn and Sayler Bullard each homered once and had five RBI.
Ellery Woods and Jordi Oakley also homered as Shattuck overpowered Canute (30-9) and claimed its first title since 2018.
Shattuck’s strong second inning proved to be the difference.
Camryn and Sayler Bullard each had a grand slam in the frame, Woods had a two-run blast and Elam had a solo homer. Camryn Bullard also had an RBI single in the inning.
The victory capped an outstanding season for Shattuck.
And although Canute beat Shattuck 13-12 in the regular season, the Indians avenged it and looked dominant in the process.
“They had some hits that fell and we hit some right at them,” Shattuck coach Troy Bullard said of his team’s first game against Canute. “We hit the ball a lot better today.”
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Class 3A: Caddo 13, Dale 8
Caddo and Dale appeared to be on a collision course to facing each other in the finals heading into the state tournament.
The top two ranked teams in Class 3A, they were on opposite sides of the bracket and the favorites to meet with the title on the line.
That’s exactly what happened Wednesday, and when they faced off, a classic battle ensued.
In the end, Caddo came out on top.
The Bruins scored six runs in the sixth inning as they rallied for a 13-8 win over Dale at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.
Caddo (37-4) trailed by a run in the sixth before Rylan Peevyhouse hit a solo homer to tie it at 8.
Paityn Lowry hit a two-run homer later in the frame before a bases loaded walk and a two-RBI single by Timber Hensley gave Caddo a five-run lead.
“Defensively, played lights out like we always do,” Caddo coach Dustin McKay said. “We pride ourselves on our defense.”
Caddo won its first slowpitch title last year while competing in Class 2A.
The Bruins have claimed two straight fastpitch championships in Class A.
“Gritty players that love to work,” McKay said of why the program has transformed into a powerhouse. “That’s all I can say. Good players that love to work and want to compete every day. Hate to lose. They’ll do anything in their power to give themselves a chance to win.”
Daley Lang had a great performance for Dale (35-6) in the loss. She went 3 for 3 with two homers and had three RBI. Chayse Caram and Karsen Griggs each had one home run.
Hensley led Caddo with a 3-for-4 performance with four RBI, while Peevyhouse finished with two homers.
Caddo star junior and OU commit Kadey Lee McKay hit a two-run homer in the first inning, drew three walks and finished with three runs scored.
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Class 4A: Oktaha 11, Pocola 10
Oktaha center fielder Ryleigh Bacon stood under a high flyball during the final play of the Tigers’ championship game against Pocola, and all of her teammates were eagerly watching for it to hit her glove.
A routine play, but with a runner on first and Oktaha holding just a one-run lead, the Tigers’ state title dreams were on the line.
Bacon made the play look easy though, and when she secured the out, the whole team rushed to the pitching circle to celebrate a big moment in Oktaha slowpitch softball history.
Oktaha claimed its first slowpitch championship with an 11-10 victory against Pocola in the Class 4A title game Wednesday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.
A tight battle throughout, Oktaha (28-7) scored five runs in the fifth to take an 11-8 lead and held on from there.
Brynn Surmont ignited Oktaha’s rally in the fifth with an RBI single, then Kirsten Berry drove in a run on a double, Brynna Rodden had an RBI single, Bacon had an RBI double and Cambree McCoy drove in another on a single.
Oktaha doesn’t have a lot of power in its lineup, but the Tigers did a great job Wednesday of putting the ball in play and finished with 18 hits against Pocola (34-4).
“We are not a home run hitting team,” Oktaha coach Kia Holmes said. “We’re really not. The few that we’ve hit this year have really been accidents anyway.”
Oktaha had a well-rounded offensive performance and had three players finish with two RBI — Surmont, Peyton Bryan and Payton Stewart.
Kylee Smith led Pocola with two homers and four RBI.
Oktaha has consistently made state tournament appearances throughout the years, but a title evaded the Tigers.
Holmes is thankful to have gotten over the hump.
“It’s really nice to finally win it,” she said.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS slowpitch softball: Class 4A-2A state championship roundup
