Lady Pirates take down Antlers, Valliant

Congratulations to Coach Jimmy Hurst and the Lady Pirates, who beat Antlers 11-4 to qualify for the State Tournament.

The Lady Pirates took down the Valiant Lady Dawgs, 7-3 in Regional action Tuesday in Pocola.

Though the team lost their first go-around with Antlers 5-10, the Lady Pirates redeemed themselves in the second match-up, blowing out the Lady Bearcats 11-4, allowing them to punch their ticket to State.

— Antlers 10, Preston 5 The Lady Pirates fell 10-5 to Antlers despite out-hitting them 10-8. Alynn LeBlanc led the Lady Pirates with three hits.

Antlers were the first to get on the board in the first when Cady Buchanan hit into a double play, but one run scored. Taylan Starr homered to center field, which helped the Lady Pirates tie the game at one in the bottom of the first.

The Lady Bearcats retook the lead at the top of the second, scoring five runs on three hits, 6-1. A home run to center field by Kinlynn Hembree drove in three.

The Lady Pirates then scored two runs in the bottom of the third on a home run to left field by Na’Braijhanae Phillips.

Preston accumulated 10 hits in the game. Preston – R: 5, H: 10, E: 0 Antlers – R: 10, H: 8, E: 2 — Preston 7, Valliant 3

The Lady Pirates took down the Valliant Lady Dawgs 7-3, getting on the board first thanks to three singles, one by Celeste Pineda, who scored, followed by a run after Taylan Starr grounded out.

Pineda earned the win for the Lady Pirates as they gave up 12 hits and three runs (two earned) over seven innings, striking out two and walking four.

Preston had a total of 11 hits in the game. Olivia Beaver, Josie Cope, and Na’Braijhanae Phillips each had two hits for the Lady Pirates; while Kristen Houlby, Taylan Starr, Kinlee Basquez, Celeste Pineda and Olivia Beaver each drove in one run.

Preston – R: 7, H: 11; E: 3 Valliant – R: 3, H: 12, E: 3 — Preston 11, Antlers 4

Na’Braijhanae Phillips hit two home runs and drove in four as the Lady Pirates defeated Antlers 11-4 on Tuesday. Phillips homered in the first and fourth innings.

The Lady Pirates took the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the first as Phillips and Jaiden Harley both hit home runs. Josie Cope added a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the third for the Lady Pirates.

Celeste Pineda earned the win for Lady Pirates, as she allowed five hits and four runs (two earned) over seven innings, striking out none and walking three.

Preston collected 12 hits in the game, and sending the Lady Pirates to the State Tournament next week.