The Preston Lady Pirates softball team has punched their ticket to the Class 2A State Tournament after an impressive sweep in the Regional Tournament. With dominant performances in both games against the Merritt Oilerettes, the Lady Pirates are now set to compete for a state title in Oklahoma City this Thursday.
In their first game of the regional competition, Preston secured a commanding 5-0 win, thanks in large part to a standout performance by Na’Braijhanae Phillips and a nearly perfect outing from pitcher Taylan Starr. Phillips went 3-for-4 at the plate, contributing a double and two singles, while Starr was un-hittable on the mound. The ace pitcher struck out an astonishing 16 batters, allowed no hits, and walked none over seven innings of work.
Preston got on the board early, with Phillips singling in the first inning and Kynlee Martin doubling to drive in the game’s first two runs. Martin also played a key role in the Lady Pirates’ offense, finishing the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Merritt’s starting pitcher, Addison Krueger, managed to hold off Preston’s offense in the middle innings but struggled early and late in the game, surrendering nine hits and five runs (two earned) over six innings. However, her effort wasn’t enough to overcome Starr’s dominance on the mound as the Lady Pirates cruised to victory.
— Walk-Off Drama in Game Two In the second game, the Lady Pirates were pushed to the limit but ultimately prevailed in dramatic fashion with a 4-3 walk-off win. With the score tied at three in the bottom of the seventh inning, it was Kynlee Martin who once again delivered for Preston, hitting a game-winning single to send her team to the state tournament.
Preston took an early 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, with Ashleigh Hurt driving in two runs with a clutch double. However, Merritt fought back in the top of the seventh, tying the game after Caityn Lowry’s two-run double. The game hung in the balance until Martin’s heroics sealed the Lady Pirates’ spot in Oklahoma City.
Pitcher Taylan Starr earned her second win of the day, throwing five innings and allowing just two runs on five hits, while also striking out three. Josie Cope, who started the game in the circle for Preston, held Merritt scoreless for two innings before handing the ball over to Starr.
Offensively, Ashleigh Hurt had a stellar day at the plate, going 2-for-3 and driving in two runs from the nine-hole. Martin also added two hits to her game-winning RBI, helping Preston finish with eight hits overall.
– With their Regional Championship in hand, the Lady Pirates are now looking ahead to their opening matchup in the Class 2A State Tournament. Preston will face off against Oktaha on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Devon Park (Integris Field) in Oklahoma City. A win will advance them to the semifinals on Friday at 4 p.m., where they will face the winner of the Dale vs. Howe game.
The State Championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. at OGE Field in Devon Park, where the Lady Pirates hope to cap off their remarkable season with a title.
