Oklahoma high school slowpitch softball Class 6A-4A state championship roundup

The slowpitch softball state title games for Classes 6A through 4A were held Monday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. Here's what happened.

Class 6A: Southmoore 17, Choctaw 7 (5 innings)

Southmoore continues to assert its dominance in Oklahoma high school softball.

The SaberCats, who have won two consecutive Class 6A fastpitch state titles, rolled to a 17-7 victory in five innings against Choctaw in the slowpitch championship game Monday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.

With the win, Southmoore earned its third slowpitch title since 2014.

The SaberCats started strong against Choctaw in the top of the first inning, scoring three runs on a sacrifice fly from Brinly Maples, RBI single from Kaylee Carter and a bases loaded walk.

Choctaw responded, taking a one-run lead on Bella Butler's three-run homer.

But Southmoore’s offense started to be too much for the Yellowjackets, beginning in the third inning.

The SaberCats added four runs in the frame and blew things open with a seven-run fourth and three-run fifth.

“We just hit it all over the place today,” Southmoore coach James Lingo said. “A bunch of runs in all three games. A bunch of hits. Everybody contributed. It was just a total team win.”

Leading Southmoore’s offense were Carter, Oklahoma State commit Tallen Edwards, Lexi Hernandez, Taitum Bradshaw and Riley Sharp.

Edwards, Carter and Hernandez each drove in three runs, while Bradshaw and Sharp both had two RBIs.

Butler put on a show for Choctaw, accounting for nearly all of the Yellowjackets’ runs. She finished with three homers and six RBIs.

Karleigh Williams pitched the entire game for Southmoore. Lingo said he was impressed with the sophomore.

“In slowpitch, to hold opponents to 12 total runs in three games,” he said. “That’s an unbelievable job, and she was unbelievable.”

Molly Emerson pitched the first three innings for Choctaw before Lily West came in and stayed in the circle for the rest of the game.

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Class 5A: North Rock Creek 15, Perkins-Tryon 0 (3 innings)

Chance Griffin and his dad, David, had a feeling they might face each other in a state title game at some point.

Chance is the head coach at North Rock Creek, while David leads Perkins-Tryon. Both schools have solid programs, and the Griffins felt like it was just a matter of time before it happened.

The moment arrived Monday night after the father-son duo led their teams to victories in the Class 5A quarterfinals and semifinals.

The teams met with everything on the line, but the game didn’t last too long.

North Rock Creek beat Perkins-Tryon 15-0 in three innings as it earned its first team state championship in any sport.

“I’m building a house, so me and my wife and three kids are currently living with him, so it’s even funnier,” Chance Griffin said. “All year long, I talked about how special it would be. This was the fourth time actually that we’ve made it to the state tournament in the same class, and we have not played each other. To make it in the state championship playing each other there, it’s just unbelievable really.”

North Rock Creek, which is in Shawnee, was held scoreless in the first inning but exploded for seven runs in the second frame and eight in the third.

Katie Larson and Haley Hacker each had two hits and three RBIs, while Morgan Campbell and Raynee Bass both drove in two runs.

Caty Baack allowed just two hits in the circle.

“The jitters were definitely there in the first inning by us and them,” Chance Griffin said. “We made some diving catches that took the wind out of them, and we had some really quality at-bats late that ultimately won us the game.”

Class 4A: Washington 17, Dale 7 (6 innings)

Class 4A has a new slowpitch state champion.

Washington made a statement as it went on to beat Dale 17-7 in six innings, ending an impressive streak in the process.

Dale had won a slowpitch state title in every year since 2016, except for the 2020 season that was canceled by the coronavirus pandemic.

Washington dominated and used a 10-run third inning to build a comfortable lead before cruising to the run-rule win.

“Until somebody beat Dale in this game, they were still the best team,” Washington coach Tylor Lampkin said. “Even though we were ranked No. 1, we felt like they were still the best team in the class until somebody proved it. We had a pretty good mindset of trying to come in and make our own mark on history.”

Ellie Allison led Washington at the plate. The junior went 4 for 4 with two homers and drove in five runs.

Tinley Lucas had three RBIs and also went 4 for 4, while Ellie Loveless, Emjay Lucas and Halle Andrews each drove in two runs.

“There was something special in the air,” Washington senior Mattie Richardson said. “Who really gets to play on Mondays at a state tournament? Play all three games on the No. 1 field everyone wants to play on? The mood was right.”

Alexis Gay pitched all six innings for Washington. Kinsley Hill tossed the first four frames for Dale before Chayse Caram entered in relief.

Karsen Griggs hit two homers for Dale and drove in three runs.

Reporter Nick Sardis covers high school sports across the Oklahoma City metro and state. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nick_sardis. Support Nick’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at oklahoman.com/subscribe or by using the link at the top of this page.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school slowpitch softball 6A-4A state championships