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.
Piedmont vs Tahlequah
12:00pm (Field Three)
Last Appearance: Piedmont (Fourth consecutive since 2021) Tahlequah (Eighth consecutive since 2017)
Piedmont’s road to state
Piedmont’s road began with wins over Elgin 18-5 and 11-1 in regionals to advance to state.
We are excited to go compete in the state tournament. We know it will be incredibly tough, just like it is every year. Every team in the tournament can play at a very high level & are coached well. We just hope our kids play well & we can give ourselves a chance to compete said Piedmont coach Keith Coleman.
Tahlequah’s road to state
Tahlequah’s road began with wins over Grove 11-1 and 9-2 in regionals to advance to state.
I could best describe our road to the State Tournament as one of perseverance. With a limited roster of twelve players of which only four had any varsity experience, the Lady Tigers won the Class 5A-4 District Championship and the 5A-7 Regional Tournament with at times only nine healthy players. Tahlequah starts one senior, three juniors, two sophomores, and three freshmen. The excitement level is high in Tahlequah. For most, this was believed to be a rebuilding season with very little chance to make the State Tournament. These young ladies are excited for the opportunity to represent Tahlequah High School and compete against the best of the best. In the days leading up to the State Tournament, these young ladies talked about how they did not want to be the group that let the consecutive state tournament appearance streak end. So, when we captured the Regional Championship, one of the freshmen stated the streak is still alive coach. While we have become accustomed to qualifying for the state tournament, I constantly remind them to enjoy the moment because you never know when you will have the opportunity to get back said Tahlequah coach Chris Ray.
Coweta vs Claremore
2:30pm (Field Three)
Last Appearance: Coweta (Fifth consecutive since 2020) Claremore (First since 2021)
Coweta’s road to state
Coweta’s road began with a win over Glenpool 6-2, Dropped game two 4-3 but bounced back in game three 11-3 to advance to state.
The goal has always been the same. Make it back to the state tournament. Softball season can be a tough journey, with multiple hurdles to cross and obstacles that get in the way. This group of girls, together, have fought through every challenge put in front of them to play our brand of softball. We are excited for this group to continue to experience post season softball and check more goals off of our list said Coweta coach Blake Dunn.
Claremore’s road to state
Claremore’s road began with wins over McAlester 17-2 and Collinsville 3-1 and 6-1 to advance to state.
Guthrie vs Duncan
10:00am (Field Three)
Last Appearance: Guthrie (Fourth consecutive since 2021) Duncan (First since 2022)
Guthrie’s road to state
Guthrie’s road began with wins over El Reno 16-5 and 11-0 in regionals to advance to state.
We started our season at Pryor. We went 1-3, so it was not a good start, but it got the girls to refocus. We went 16-0 after the opening weekend. We had a strange couple of weeks and again had to fix attitudes and regain our team goals. We are again finding our grove just in time for the State Tournament. We are led by 4 seniors who have now been to the state tournament all 4 years (Haley Gallo, Kinley Duehning, Ava Hebensperger, and Saige Driscoll). Last season was the first time Guthrie softball had made it to the championship game. We lost it in the last inning, so we want to get back and change the outcome. We want to be the first to bring home gold for Guthrie Softball said Guthrie coach Kara Tarrant.
Duncan’s road to state
Duncan’s road began with wins over Santa Fe South 23-0 and Noble 10-1 and 12-4 in regionals to advance to state.
Pryor vs Carl Albert
5:00pm (Field Three)
Last Appearance: Pryor (Fourth consecutive since 2021) Carl Albert (11th consecutive since 2013)
Pryor’s road to state
Pryor’s road began with wins over Sapulpa 11-1 and Durant 11-1 in regionals to advance to state.
We have played a tough schedule this year to try and prepare us for district play and the playoffs. Our girls are excited to go play at state. This is the fourth year in a row to make it to state. Our juniors and sophomores have been there before but It will be the first trip down there for several of our girls. They are excited to go play said Pryor coach Chell Looney.
Carl Albert’s road to state
Carl Albert’s road began with wins over Ardmore 12-0 and Altus 7-2 and 5-1 in regionals to advance to state.
21-12 on the year, so we’ve had our fair share of ups and downs on the year. Lost six starters from the previous season, so we’ve had to move girls all around the field and lineup to find what’s fit the best. Girls have been great in the sense of accepting roles for the team and buying into what we coaches are instilling into them from a hitting, fielding, and pitching aspect, as well as a team aspect. The State Tournament is the expectation at Carl Albert. So all season, that’s been our goal as a team, to make it back to the State tournament because once you get to the State Tournament, anything can happen. Reaction to making it to State was great. Girls were excited and happy. As a coach, I was grateful. Never take for granted making it to back to State. Even though it’s the expectation, it’s still an accomplishment in itself. And the girls’ deserve all the credit. They’ve worked hard. They’ve bought in. They’ve done their part. Now they just gotta put together a three game win streak! said Carl Albert coach Garrett Wages.
The OKPreps Rundown 
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