Slowpitch softball storylines, athletes to watch
Washington coach Tylor Lampkin knew it wasn’t going to take much to motivate his squad this year.
After running through the Class 4A state tournament last year, outscoring its opponents 38-13, the Warriors are moving up to Class 5A. Now, more challenges await the slowpitch and fastpitch defending state champions. And Washington is excited about it.
“That’s kind of just made us a little bit more hungry,” Lampkin said. “New class, bigger class and same competition with a lot of people returning starters. So, we know we’ve got to take care of our business.”
The Warriors return eight starters from last year’s team, which includes seven seniors, six of which start. So, even with the move up, Lampkin has high expectations for Washington.
The Warriors are 4-0 so far this season, taking down Elgin, Lawton Eisenhower, Dickson and Madill. Washington has given up just one run while plating 72 runs in the stretch.
It’s a promising start, but will Washington be able to keep its title-winning ways in the new class?
“We know that North Rock Creek won it in (Class) 5A last year,” Kulbeth said. “And they return pretty much their entire squad so we know they’re going to be a tough team to try to knock off.”
With the high school slowpitch season underway, this is one of the top local storylines. Here are two more, as well as five players to watch:
Can North Rock Creek repeat?
North Rock Creek rallied its way to its first softball title last season, behind streaky hitting. The Cougars outscored its state tournament opponents 46-10 and looked unstoppable.
Now, North Rock Creek will have an ample opportunity to repeat as champions. NRC graduated just one player from last season’s run and returns nine. That type of experience has the Cougars off to a 3-0 start.
“We’ve hit 17 home runs in three games,” North Rock Creek coach Chance Griffin said. “It’s been going well. I was a little nervous too because of how much it’s been raining, we haven’t got to hit as much as I’d like so I was pretty pleased with the beginning of the year for sure.”
One of the biggest games of the year will be when North Rock Creek takes on Washington on March 27.It will give each team a good idea of how they’ll fare in the state tournament.
How well will Southmoore reload?
The defending Class 6A state champion graduated six key players from last year’s team.
So the lineup will look different this year but James Lingo expects his team to compete again this season. It’s why he’s scheduled to play some of the best softball teams.
Southmoore has a 2-1 record so far, falling to Westmoore (5-0) by one run and taking down Cyril and Dibble. But if the SaberCats can put it together with its schedule that includes, Washington, Choctaw, Mustang, Deer Creek and others, it’s bound to have a strong case for another title.
Five players to watch
Caty Baack, Sr., North Rock Creek: Baack hit seven home runs last year and already has smashed five over the fence in North Rock Creek’s three games this season. After her powerlifting workouts, Griffin has high expectations for the Rose State College commit.
Taitum Bradshaw, Sr., Southmoore: The Grand Canyon State signee, will be the leader for the SaberCats this season. After playing a big role in Southmoore’s latest championships, she has Southmoore off to a 2-1 start.
Karsen Griggs, Jr., Dale: The Kansas commit has got off to a good start this season. She’s hit one home run and been walked twice in the Pirates’ only game.
Serenity Jacoway, Jr., Tecumseh: A University of Texas at El Paso commit, Jacoway has helped the Savages to routinely make deep state tournament appearances. Her leadership may help them get there again.
Abby Wood, Sr., Washington: A dominant hitter and Grayson College commit, Wood has helped lead Washington to a 4-0 start.