SANDITES SHUTOUT TAHLEQUAH IN SEASON OPENER, 8-0

Sand Springs pitcher Jacie Taber threw a one-hitter in the Sandites’ season-opening win over Tahlequah. Tahlequah Lady Tiger catcher Emily Sampson recorded her team’s only hit in the bottom of the fourth inning, but Sand Springs won, 8-0, in only five innings Thursday, Aug. 9 on the road. Sampson also made a big play at the plate in the top of the fifth inning. With an 8-0 Sandite lead, senior third baseman Cameron Clemons hit a pop fly to center field and Felicity Horn tagged up, taking off towards home plate. Sampson caught the throw from center field and tagged Horn as she was diving for the plate, stopping another potential run. “I thought (the game went) really well,” said head coach Shelli Brown. “Now, I’m looking for consistency. Jacie (Taber) threw well and we had good defense. We had some good hits and bunts.” Taber threw all five innings, giving up only one hit. She struck out four and walked one. The Sandites (1-0) scored three in the top of the second inning thanks to RBIs from Makenna Skaggs, Clemons and Madelyn Blair. In the top of the third, Taber singled to score Sabrina Usher and Elizabeth Luttrell, and Skaggs hit an RBI double to left that scored Taber for the 6-0 Sandite lead. In the top of the fourth, Usher hit an RBI double that scored Drew Hawkins, and Luttrell grounded out to score Usher for the 8-0 advantage. Taber ended the night 2-3 at the plate with two runs and two RBIs. Usher and Luttrell were both 2-3 with two runs and one RBI, and Skaggs was 1-3 with two RBIs. Horn, Usher and Skaggs all hit doubles, and Usher hit two. Sand Springs was supposed to start Tuesday at Claremore but the games were rained out. #GOLDRUSH