SOFTBALL: Verdigris, Sequoyah drop season openers
Aug. 9—Verdigris softball coach Brian Keith's premonition of a difficult season opener came to fruition Monday.
The Lady Cardinals struck first with a double from Taelynn Ballinger in the second inning, but it was all Stigler from there as the Lady Panthers cruised to a 6-1 victory in the Pryor Festival. It was the first season-opening loss for Verdigris since 2019.
Stigler, which qualified for the Class 4A state tournament last season alongside Verdigris, accounted for nine hits in the win, including an RBI double and a solo home run. The Lady Panthers took the lead for good in the bottom of the second after that double and a bases-loaded walk, and the homer made it 3-1 in the third.
Stigler scored once more in the third before capping the scoring in the fourth with a sacrifice fly and another single.
The Lady Cardinals managed only four hits, two of which were credited to Presley Tipton. Tipton tripled on a bunt while facing one out in the fourth, but a ground out and a line out kept her from reaching home.
Reagan Bennett took the loss for Verdigris after allowing four runs on two hits and five walks on 41 pitches through two innings. Kaydence Bender tossed 41 pitches as well in two innings of relief, striking out two while surrendering seven hits and two runs with no walks.
Sperry 10, Sequoyah 0: The Lady Pirates took care of business and in a hurry.
After making the Lady Eagles go three up and three down in the top of the first, Sperry peppered them for seven runs on four hits and a groundout in the bottom half while also earning six walks.
A 2-RBI double in the second made it 9-0, and an RBI groundout the following inning brought the score to its final resting place. The Lady Pirates hit as many doubles in the victory (three) as Sequoyah had hits.
Sydnee Bass, Avery Hyde and Landry Roland accounted for the Lady Eagles' only hits.
Reagan Hanson took the loss, striking out two while allowing 10 runs on six hits and eight walks on 88 pitches through three innings.
