Area trio named fastpitch All-Staters
Nov. 10—Three area softball players were named to the 2023 Oklahoma High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association All-State teams that were released earlier this week.
Ada senior Abbey Strong was named a Utility Player for the Middle East team. Latta senior Laraby Jennings was named an Outfielder for the Small East Team and Ava Sliger was named a pitcher for the Small East squad.
The All-State games will be played on June 8 at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond. The Small West will battle the Small East at 10 a.m., the Middle West will battle the Middle East at noon, and the Large West will battle the Large East at 2 p.m.
ABBEY STRONG
Ada High School
Utility fit Strong perfectly, as she played several positions when called upon during her senior campaign as a Lady Cougar. She even logged a few innings from the pitcher's circle. Third base was Strong's regular home on the Ada infield.
"I am proud of her and for her. She has worked so hard for so many years. I'm proud to see others recognize her for it," said Ada's head coach (and Abbey's father) Jeremy Strong.
Strong hit .417 with a triple, six doubles, 18 RBIs and 15 runs scored for the Lady Cougars. She also had 16 stolen bases as the team's leadoff hitter. She has signed to play college softball at East Central University.
LARABY JENNINGS
Latta High School
Not only was Jennings one of the best outfielders in the region, but she was also one of the top pitchers in a strong rotation for the Lady Panthers.
Jennings was instrumental in helping guide the Lady Panthers to the Class 2A State Tournament this fall. Latta finished the season with 33 wins.
Jennings hit .380 with five doubles, 30 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
"We are very proud of Laraby for this honor," said Latta head coach Jeremy Bates.
Jennings has signed to play college softball at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton.
AVA SLIGER
Tupelo High School
Sliger was dominant on the mound during a stellar senior season that ended with the Lady Tigers winning the Class B State championship.
She struck out 284 batters and walked just 19 in 176.2 innings of work this fall and held a 0.95 ERA. Sliger logged 14 shutouts.
"It's a very prestigious achievement and I'm extremely proud of her," said Tupelo head coach Dustin Romines. "She's had an outstanding fastpitch career."
The Lady Tigers finished their state title run with a 30-4 record.
Sliger has signed to play college softball at Wichita State University.
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Following are members of the 2023 Oklahoma High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association All-State teams and coaches:
LARGE WEST
Pitchers: Payten Schibbelhute, Piedmont. Jaiden Coffey, Deer Creek; Lainey King, Southmoore.
Catchers: Beth Damon, Edmond Memorial; Abbie Eichler, Guthrie.
Corner Infielders: Ariah Mitchell, Yukon; Nichelle Marshall, Moore
Middle Infielders: Ausha Moore, Carl Albert; Willa Ford, Edmond Santa Fe
Outfield: Sydney Seat, Edmond Memorial, Tylar Short, Piedmont; Adelaide Haack, Westmoore
Utility: Brylee Fanning, Southmoore; Eden Anderson, Mustang; Rylee Houska, Deer Creek; Kaylee Carter, Southmoore; Bre Curry, Choctaw; Kaylee Davis, Carl Albert.
Coach: Trent Patterson, Deer Creek.
LARGE EAST
Pitchers: Brooklyn Stohler, Pryor; Addy Ewing, Owasso; Dasia Mason, Coweta.
Catchers: Jordyn Davis, Broken Arrow; Kindal Biggs, Bixby.
Corner Infielders: Aliya Scarborough, Broken Arrow; Addyson Brown, Stillwater.
Middle Infielders: Brynn Daniel, Bixby; Brookley Foster, Owasso.
Outfield: Chaney Helton, Coweta; Jaliyah Simmons, Muskogee; Maysie Chidlers, Broken Arrow.
Utility: Kelsis Hilton, Sand Springs; Natalie Ackenhausen, Owasso; Kenzie Cothran, Jenks; Sawyer Strange, Durant; Chelsea Goddard, Bartlesville, Sierra Soto, Coweta.
Coach: Blake Dunn, Coweta.
MIDDLE WEST
Pitchers: Aubree Ferfuson, Newcastle; Oakley Vickers, Tuttle; Brooklyn Charnock, Plainview.
Catchers: Aeryn Shuman, Lone Grove; Dynver Darling, Blanchard.
Corner Infielders: Maddison Tate, Cache; Brooklyn Lyles, Newcastle.
Middle Infielders: Emjay Lucas, Washington; Kennedy Hight, Perry.
Outfield: Brook Lanford, Lone Grove; Asia Timmons, Cache; Madelyn Torrenueva, Newcastle.
Utility: Madison Kastl, Perkins; Riley Lee, Plainview; Savanna Edwards, Purcell; Kailyn Taylor, Lindsay; Riley Mays, Dickson; Lilly Hacker, Lone Grove.
Coach: Bryan Hayes, Perry.
MIDDLE EAST
Pitchers: Serenity Jacoway, Tecumseh; Haley Hacker, North Rock Creek; Avery Williams, Eufaula.
Catchers: Avery Beaucamp, Silo; Adyson Custar, Prague.
Corner Infielders: Annika Dill, Poteau; Shelby Kilhoffer, Henryetta
Middle Infielders: Ava Yocham, Bristow; Taya Ross, Stilwell.
Outfield: Liyah Dauman, Prague; Brooklyn Duff, Bethel; Brynlie Delk, Sperry.
Utility: Josie Pollet, Kansas; Abbey Strong, Ada; Addisen Hall, Valliant; Hannah Earlywine, North Rock Creek; Carson Jackson, Chandler; Parker Patterson, Poteau.
Coach: Shelton Fairchild, Kiefer.
SMALL WEST
Pitchers: Carolyn Overton, Ripley; Morgandee Sawatzky, Arapaho-Butler; Kenzli Lock, Lookeba-Sickles.
Catchers: Dakota Hall, Ripley; Whitney McHugh, Cyril.
Corner Infielders: Shelby Spence, Sterling; Sabre Henderson, Minco.
Middle Infielders: Adison Lee, Turner; Kendyl Overton, Ripely.
Outfield: Avery Cearlock, Leedey; Briley Hedrick, Binger-Oney; Bella Spellman, Healdton.
Utility: Hallie Carney, Mt. View-Gotebo; Kenly Kauk, Frontier; Avery Rempel, Navajo; Danica Kowalik, Empire; Jacqueline Berry, Texhoma; Morgan Curry, Sterling
Coach: Luke Thompson, Arapaho-Butler
SMALL EAST
Pitchers: Ava Sliger, Tupelo; Hayden White, Red Oak; Raylin Morgan, Haskell.
Catchers: Marti Yaerger, Dewar; Peyton Bryan, Oktaha
Corner Infielders: Karsen Griggs, Dale; Cady Ammons, Red Oak.
Middle Infielders: Kadey McKay, Caddo; Ava Scott, Oktaha.
Outfield: Gracee Waller, Dale; Ryleigh Bacon, Oktaha; Laraby Jennings, Latta.
Utility: Mazie Flud, Preston; Kaydence Hargo, Wyandotte; Karsyn Nye, Howe; Abagail Tovar, Red Oak; Maci Maxwell, Pocola; Brylen Bartley, Wyandotte.
Coach: Dustin McKay, Caddo.
