CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY

Fastpitch softball teams wrap up the season Saturday with championship games

SHAWNEE — Purcell beat Hilldale 10-0 in six innings in the Class 4A fastpitch semifinals Friday.

Up 8-0, Purcell hit backto-back solo home runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to seal a run-rule win and a place in the state title game. The home runs were hit by pitcher Katelynn Carwile and shortstop Chelsea Spain.

“They grew up together… they spend year round together,” coach Sarah Jones said. “So for them to go back to back, especially since they're both seniors, and go out the way they're going right now. It's phenomenal and it gives you chills.”

Purcell will play Newcastle in the title game at noon Saturday.

Newcastle beats Oologah to return to state title game

Newcastle beat Oologah 7-0 in the Class 4A semifinals Friday for a spot in the state title game.

Newcastle j umped out to the lead and kept adding to it as the game progressed, and Oologah could not put anything together. Coach Mike Crossley credits Newcastle's tough schedule for preparing it for the pressure of the state tournament.

The Race rs played in the state title game last year but lost to Tuttle.

“We were in the title game last year and came up a little short,” Crossley said. “Let's give it another try.”

Newcastle and Purcell will play for the Class 4 A title Saturday.

Piedmont beats Durant for shot at state title

Piedmont beat Durant 18-0 in five innings Friday to advance to the Class 5A state title game.

Piedmont scored 11 runs in the second inning to take a commanding lead and added seven runs in the third. Pitcher Chloe Bohuslavicky held Durant to just four hits in the shutout win.

“Going into it we thought we'd have to win a low scoring game,” coach Keith Coleman said. “Kind of got on a roll there and we got some breaks.”

Coleman said his team' s experience has made it ready for the title game. Piedmont played in it two years ago and made it to the semifinals last year. The Wildcats know the challenge they will face against Carl Albert.

Piedmont will take on the two-time defending champion Titans in the championship game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

OKLAHOMAN] Newcastle's Kennedy Cook (9) drives in a run in the third inning against Oologah-Talala in a Class 4A high school softball game during the semifinals of the state fastpitch softball tournament at the Ballfields at Firelake in Shawnee, Okla. on Friday. [NATE BILLINGS/ THE

Piedmont's Chloe Bohuslavicky pitches in a Class 5A state tournament softball game against Durant on Friday at the Ballfields at Firelake in Shawnee. Piedmont beat the Lions to advance to Saturday's state championship game. [NATE BILLINGS/ THE OKLAHOMAN]