Tahlequah Daily Press

High School Sports

Related Photos

  • Sequoyah catcher Rain Thompson walks back to the dugout as Little Axe celebrates winning the Class 3A state fastpitch softball championship game Saturday at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. Photo courtesy of Kyle Phillips/CNHI

    softball1.jpg

  • Sequoyah-Tahlequah's Jessica Bluebird (8) pitches to a Little Axe batter during the 3A state fast pitch softball championship game Saturday at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. Kyle Phillips/The Transcript

    softball7.jpg

  • Little Axe's Aubree Branch (17) tags out Sequoyah-Tahlequah's Rhanda Walker (2) during the 3A state fast pitch softball championship game Saturday at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. Kyle Phillips/The Transcript

    softball9.jpg

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
October 8, 2012

Sequoyah shut out in 3A title game

By KENTON BROOKS CNHI

OKLAHOMA CITY — Saturday’s Class 3A state championship game will likely rank as the most heartbreaking of losses for the Sequoyah High School fastpitch softball team. And it came down to a mishandled play after 6 2/3 innings of scoreless ball at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

With the two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Sequoyah second baseman Taylor Thompson made a back-handed stop on a ball hit by Little Axe’s Reagan McDoulett up the middle, and Thompson tried to flip it to teammate and shortstop Kara Linch for the force out.

However, the ball bounced off Linch’s glove and Little Axe’s Ally Allen raced home from third base safely and the Lady Indians’ first appearance in the finals ended in tearful disappointment, losing 1-0.

Thompson pointed a finger to herself after the game.

“I should’ve stepped on second base,” she said. “I knew we had a chance to step on it, but I didn’t do it. I think I got caught up in the moment and I panicked.

“This hurts a lot because I feel like it’s on my shoulders. I’m going to tell Kara I’m sorry.”

Linch wasn’t blaming Thompson.

“It’s partly my fault for not taking the ball,” she said. “Being a senior, this is pretty hard to not catch the ball on the last play of the game. She and I just didn’t talk on that play. This does hurt.”

It’s especially hurtful as the Lady Indians made their first appearance in the state championship game after reaching the semifinals for five straight years.

“We’ve got this out of the way and hopefully we can be on the other side of the score next time,” Sequoyah coach Jeff Turtle said. “To lose 1-0 is tough on me and tough on them. You hurt, but that’s part of life. Somebody’s going to go home a winner and hopefully, one day we will.”

Sequoyah ended the season at 31-8. The fastpitch success came after the slowpitch team had to give up its state title for having an ineligible player.

Meanwhile, Little Axe (28-10) won its third straight state title, capturing the 4A championship in 2010 and the 3A crown in 2011. Through all of that, success has been pitcher Andee Frazier. She struck out 15 Sequoyah batters and tossed a two-hitter in Saturday’s finale.

“She has a good rise ball,” Turtle said. “Thank goodness she’s a senior and won’t be around any more.”

Sequoyah had a chance to score in the second. Left fielder Rhanda Walker singled and tried to advance to third base, but Allen threw her out from right field. Designated player Baylee Ratliff’s fourth-inning single was the Lady Indians’ only other hit.

Katie Phillips, relieving starting pitcher Jessie Bluebird, was the losing pitcher. Bluebird, who yielded four hits, hugged family and friends after the loss.

“When I saw the ball hit the ground (on the last play), I knew they had scored,” she said. “I’m proud we made it this far, but I really do wish we could’ve won it. I’m disappointed right now.”

Text Only
High School Sports
Poll

Should storm shelters be a mandatory part of construction in tornado-prone areas?

Yes, in all structures, whether they be public buildings or private homes and businesses.
Yes, but only in public buildings, like schools or stadiums; no for private homes and businesses.
No, storm shelters should not be mandatory, but perhaps government funds or grants should be available to those who choose to build them.
No, they should not be mandatory, and there should be no government funds for them.
Undecided.
     View Results
Press Sports Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
AP Video
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Stocks
Bedlam