It is that time of season and we have finally reached the State Tournament and congratulations to all the teams that have made it back to the state tournament. Follow along as I preview the State Tournament matchups and hear from the coaches as they give their thoughts. The State Tournament is at Devon Park formally known as the Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
#1 Caddo vs #11 Ripley
11:00am (Field Three)
Last Appearance: Caddo (Fifth consecutive since 2020) Ripley (Seventh consecutive since 2017)
Caddo’s road to state
Caddo’s road began with wins over Indianola 12-0 twice in districts and wins over Stonewall 23-3 and #16 Canute 4-1 and 5-0 in regionals to advance to state.
This particular group expects to go to the state tournament every year, and this year has been no different than previous years. Our group is focused and determined on playing their best softball when October rolls around. We are excited and ready for game one said Caddo coach Dustin McKay.
Ripley’s road to state
Ripley’s road began with wins over Barnsdall 12-2 and 13-1 in districts and Wilson 11-1, #6 Navajo 3-2 and Sterling/Cement 14-0 in regionals to advance to state.
#4 Arapaho-Butler vs #5 Cyril
1:30pm (Field Three)
Last Appearance: Arapaho-Butler (Fourth consecutive since 2021) Cyril (13th consecutive since 2011)
Arapaho-Butler’s road to state
Arapaho-Butler’s road began with wins over Fargo-Gage/Ft. Supply 22-0 and 17-0 in districts, Started with a win over Mooreland 11-2, Fell to #12 Waukomis 5-1 but won three straight over Mooreland again 8-6 and Waukomis 13-4 and 9-3 to advance to state.
We played an extremely tough schedule this year. I felt coming into the playoffs that we were as prepared as any time I’ve had here. We had to take the tougher route through our regional after dropping a game to a tough Waukomis team on Thursday night. We were able to come back Friday and win three games and punch our ticket. Our reaction was much more emotional than it was the last couple of years as it was different having to win three games on Friday. I was extremely proud of and happy for our seniors who have now qualified for the state tournament all four years said Arapaho-Butler coach Luke Thompson.
Cyril’s road to state
Cyril’s road began with wins over Ninnekah 14-0 and 13-0 in districts, Started off with wins over Union City 8-1 and #20 Rush Springs 6-1, Fell to #13 Turner 9-0 but bounced back 4-2 to advance to state.
#3 Dewar vs #9 Red Oak
4:00pm (Field Three)
Last Appearance: Dewar (First since 2012) Red Oak (21st consecutive since 2003)
Dewar’s road to state
Dewar’s road began with wins over Liberty 17-0 twice in districts, Defeated Quinton 6-5 and Allen 9-4 and 6-3 in regionals to advance to state.
Dewar hasn’t been since 2012 so it’s very exciting around here right now. We thought we had a great shot of doing it last year but it didn’t work out. We are a very young group we start 2 seniors 3 freshman 3 sophomores so we are very young group. Group has been solid for most of the year started our 29-0 which was a surprise. Have two girls that have logged all the innings this year and they have done a great job of carrying us. Our young kids have hit the ball well all year. Just hope when we get there we don’t let the moment be to big and show up and play like we can and what happens happens said Dewar coach Steven Castlebury.
Red Oak’s road to state
Red Oak’s road began with wins over Keota 13-2 and 10-0 in districts. Defeated #8 Drummond 7-2 and #17 Seiling 14-8 and 9-3 to advance to state.
Well this year has been full of adversity and we have overcome a lot of obstacles. Lots of people doubted us and said we couldn’t get there – so we adopted the phrase “they say we can’t so we have to”! This group has been a pleasure to coach – they are great young ladies! They are strong in their faith – giving God the Glory – win or lose. They know and believe they win – regardless of the outcome of the game because of their faith in God and playing for him. It has been very inspirational as a coach to be apart of this special group. They’ve had big shoes to fill with the graduating class last year in this area and these girls have fulfilled the task well said Red Oak coach Casey Butcher.
#2 Tushka vs #9 Cheyenne-Reydon
6:30pm (Field Three)
Last Appearance: Tushka (First since 2019) Cheyenne-Reydon (First since 1999)
Tushka’s road to state
Tushka’s road started with wins over Clayton/Moyers 19-0 and 15-0 in districts, Defeated Konawa 15-0 and #15 Hollis 11-1 and 11-0 in regionals to advance to state.
It’s really exciting anytime you get to make the state tournament but it’s a little extra with this being the first time these girls are getting to play in the fast pitch state tournament. Making it in slow pitch each season will give them some experience playing up there in that atmosphere though. We are ready to get up there and get started though. It’s obviously been something we definitely thought we were capable of and have talked about all along but now we are ready to get up there and get to playing to see what can happen now that we are there said Tushka coach Logan Brown.
Cheyenne-Reydon’s road to state
Cheyenne-Reydon’s road started with wins over Okeene 13-1 and 19-0 in districts, Defeated Shattuck 6-0 and Okarche 6-5 and 5-0 to advance to state.
We are lead by our Senior Pitcher Lily Barfield. She has gotten better and better every year, and has been lights out this year as a senior. Our road to state has really started with her. Lily is our only Senior and most of our starters are underclassmen. I felt going into playoffs, that with the experience we got last year after a couple of tough losses in the regional tournament, that we would be better mentally prepared to be in those moments. I also felt good going into playoffs knowing that we were playing our best softball of the year. It’s always awesome to go to the state tournament, especially when the program hasn’t been in 25 years. A couple of our girls’ moms were on that team 25 years ago. It’s just been really great to see the joy from all the girls, parents and community said Cheyenne-Reydon coach Levi Pierce.
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