SOFTBALL: SANDITES HAVE 5 NAMED TO DIST. 6A-4 TEAM

Sand Springs softball ended its season at the state tournament, and five Sandites were named to the all-district team. Jacie Taber, Madelyn Blair, Sabrina Usher, Kimi Presnell and Felicity Horn all made the team, and they are all underclassmen. “The season had some success,” said head coach Shelli Brown. “I thought we played really well during the Bixby Tournament, and we placed second in districts. We hosted and won regionals and had another trip to state. We just have to figure out how to win once we get there.” Juniors Taber and Blair were selected as pitchers, and Taber was named the Dist. 6A-4 pitcher of the year. Taber was 16-3 on the mound with an ERA of 2.042. She struck out 118 batters, walked 52 and gave up 89 hits. When she wasn’t on the mound, Taber played in the outfield. Blair was 6-3 on the mound with an ERA of 2.962. She struck out 27 batters, walked 13 and gave up 54 hits. She spent most of her time at short stop. Usher and Horn, both sophomores, were selected to the team. Usher was picked as a catcher and Horn a utility player. Horn spent most of her time in the outfield. Presnell, a junior second base man was impressive in the infield, but it was her play at the plate that was most impressive. She led the team in hits (48), doubles (15), triples (2), runs (32), and batting average (.522). Makenna Skaggs, Cameron Clemons, Jensen Arnold and Liz Luttrell were named to the honorable mention team. “Hopefully, with all the starters, plus the kids that got playing time through the season, it will help with that experience in getting back to state and going further into the tournament,” Brown said. Luttrell led the team in home runs with three, and Clemons, Taber, Presell and Usher hit at least one out of the park. Taber led the team in RBIs with 32, and Usher had the most singles with 33. Horn and Presnell recorded the most triples with two each. The Sandites ended the season with a 23-8 record, second place in the district, a regional title, and a trip to the Class 6A state tournament. They lost to Choctaw, 4-1, in the first round. “We will continue to work on team chemistry and fine tune some that I saw through the end of the season. I’m proud of what we accomplished but want to accomplish more. These kids can do that, and that’s what we will work on this spring,” Brown said.