SOFTBALL STATE TOURNAMENT NOTEBOOK
The Washington fastpitch softball team is one step closer to fulfilling its ultimate goal.
The Warriors routed Chisholm 19-1 in five innings in the Class 3A quarterfinals Thursday at The Ball Fields at Firelake in Shawnee.
Behind 13 hits and a solid performance from Washington senior pitcher Katelyn Hicks, Washington was in control throughout the game.
“I thought some things went our way early, and we did our job,” Washington coach Jace Brewer said. “This is what we are supposed to do.”
Hicks tossed a complete game and got more than enough help from her offense.
Sophomore Tinley Lucas was one of the Warriors top hitters, and she launched a three-run homer over the leftfield wall in the second inning.
Class A: Binger-Oney tops Stuart with six-inning run-rule
The noise coming from Field 3 of the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium couldn't be ignored.
More than 150 Binger-Oney fans crowded the stadium and they were making their presence known.
“B- O- B, C- A- T- S,” Binger-Oney's massive crowd chanted as the game began to swing in its favor. After Jordan Anthony-Baade extended the lead with an RBI single, one of the Bobcats' best hitters was headed to the plate.
She didn't disappoint. Layne Smith smashed a ball over the left-center wall for a two-run home run in the third inning.
Smith's home run set the tone for Binger-Oney as they run-ruled Stuart 10-0 in six innings on Thursday evening.
“We are not 10 runs better than them,” Binger-Oney coach Jason Wilson said. "We had some breaks and had some balls that dropped just inside and we made more defensive plays than anybody should. I would have felt helpless if I would have been on the other side.”
Junior pitcher Addison Wilson allowed just three hits in her complete- game shutout.
Class 2A: Stroud beats AmberPocasset in quarterfinal
Kaylyn Baker didn't need to hesitate.
As the Amber- Pocasset pitcher bounced the ball across home plate, Baker took off for home. The ball jumped passed the catcher and Baker slid in for the score feet first. It was the second time the junior Stroud athlete stole home on Thursday afternoon.
With Baker's performance, Stroud topped AmberPocasset 9-2 on Field 4 of the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. Stroud scored four runs in the third inning to put the game out of reach. The rally was sparked by Baker's home-stealing play.
“She's definitely got that spark and she's really speedy so we encourage her to get a good read and go,” Stroud coach Lezli Robinson said about Baker. “She has the green light, she displayed that for us today.”
Amber-Pocasset was down six players due to COVID-19. It caused some of the Panthers to play in different positions. Stroud took full advantage and stole 12 bases in the seven innings played.
Stroud will take on the winner of Dale and Oktaha at 10:30 a.m. on Friday.