Around the bases: Dewey rides amazing turnaround into regionals; Bartlesville, Nowata reports
Following is an overview of the area prep softball scene.
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DEWEY IS REGIONAL BOUND
Despite navigating through a rugged path jam-packed with pitfalls, snakes and a thorny grove of growing pains, the Dewey High softball team has emerged into the promised land of playoff opportunity.
In other words, the Lady Doggers got to where they wanted to be — at the gateway of the Class 3A regional playoffs for the fourth-straight year.
Dewey girls are just three wins away from returning to state for the fourth season in a row.
But, this year’s gritty journey was the antonym of 2021’s thunderous charge to a 31-3 record and a state semifinal appearance.
The 2022 rebuilding campaign started off like a waterfall of woe — records of 0-9 and 3-14 out of the gate.
Not only did the regionals seem to be only a futile dream, but the Lady Doggers appeared to be hard-pressed to reach double-digit wins.
Then, it happened — call it a miracle, call it instant blossoming, call it momentum or call it destiny. Starting on the third day of September, Dewey made a U-turn that could have made an owl dizzy.
During a 23-day period, through Sept. 26, Dewey romped to a 13-3 record to finish the regular season at 16-17.
Next up are the regionals, set for this Thursday and Friday, in Tishomingo. Dewey eyes a grueling grinder to win the double-elimination regional.
The Lady Doggers open up at noon Thursday against tourney host Tishomingo (30-7), which will be followed by Spiro (17-10) taking on Eufaula (22-9).
The first elimination game is set for 4 p.m. Thursday, followed by the semifinals at 6 p.m. The elimination final is planned for noon on Friday, followed by the prospective championship contest at 2 p.m. The ‘if’ needed game is slated for 4 p.m.
Even though the other three regional teams own better records than Dewey, the Lady Doggers might be the hottest team headed into the 3A postseason gathering.
The Lady Doggers — guided by veteran head coach Niki Keck — ginned up their momentum with a 10-1 tune-up win Monday against Oologah.
The game ended when three runners scored on an error on a ball put in play by Reagan White.
Katie Wright’s three-home homer — with McKinsey Allen and Addison Dugger on the pond — in the fifth inning broke the game open.
Kyla Overton and Kirsten Kay each lashed three hits, including a double apiece. Dugger, Emma Holland and Taelynn Maddox delivered a sacrifice apiece.
Overton pitched the complete-game four-hitter while walking two and striking out six.
How many sunsets remain in Dewey’s season sojourn is unknown to the mortal mind. But, so far the Lady Doggers have churned past their challenges and no doubt they’ll keep battling to the final out.
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BROKEN ARROW 11, BARTLESVILLE 1
Broken Arrow heated up early and pulled ahead of the Bartlesville Lady Bruin in a Class 6A showdown.
Macie Schaper drove home Erika Niko for Bartlesville’s lone run. Niko and Parker Fielder each ripped a double and Chloe Robbins ripped a single.
Kelsie Yales and Lexi Durao-West took turns pitching for the Lady Bruins, finishing with similar numbers, although Yales didn’t give up a walk in 3.1 innings.
A. Scarborough hammered two doubles and drove in four runs for Broken Arrow, while E. Evans doubled, hit three singles and plated two runs.
A. Normandin tossed the four-hitter, with eight K’s, for Broken Arrow.
Bartlesville — which is coached by Kyle Minton — is slated to be back in action Thursday.
NOWATA EYES REGIONAL
The Nowata Lady Ironmen softball team is treading ground they haven’t stood upon very often, if at all,
After recording the top record (21-12) among area teams, the Ironmen are headed to the Class 2A regional playoffs — one step way from state competition.
Nowata — which is coached by Thad Hewitt — travels Thursday to Silo to open the regional with a noon game against Silo. In the other semifinal, Preston will take on Oktaha.
The first elimination game is set for 4 p.m. Thursday, followed by the winners’ semifinals at 6 p.m.
Play continues Friday afternoon until a regional champion is crowned.
Nowata finished off the regular season with a 15-11 loss Monday against Chelsea.
The Lady Ironmen remained pretty steady throughout the season, never putting together any massive winning streaks or never losing more than three-in-a-row.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Softball roundup: Dewey rides into regionals with momentum
