Meet The Oklahoman's 2023 Big All-City high school softball first team
Here's a look at The Oklahoman's 2023 Big All-City high school softball first team:
More: Meet The Oklahoman's 2023 Little All-City high school softball first team
Player of the Year finalist: Lainey King, Southmoore
Position: Pitcher | Class: Senior
The story: King helped Southmoore overcome a rough start to the season and led the SaberCats to its third state championship in four years. The Southwestern Christian commit pitched 131 innings, struck out 65 batters, and threw four no-hitters in her final season with Southmoore. She ends her high school career with a 45-7 record in the circle with the Sabercats.
Player of the Year finalist: Libby Jaques, Moore
Position: Outfielder | Class: Junior
The story: The Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Player of the Year helped lead Moore to the state quarterfinals following a dominant regular season. Jaques, an Oklahoma State commit, batted .463 with a state-leading 15 home runs, 52 RBIs and 55 runs to lift Stephanie Riley's Lions to a school-best 32-4 record. The junior is a three-sport athlete at Moore, competing in fastpitch softball, basketball and track.
Player of the Year finalist: Payten Schibbelhute, Piedmont
Position: Pitcher | Class: Senior
The story: Schibbelhute is now 9-0 in three state tournaments with the Wildcats as a pitcher after her dominant postseason performance led Piedmont to win its third consecutive Class 5A state title. The Oklahoma Christian commit went undefeated in the circle in her senior season, pitching 110 innings for a 1.32 ERA while striking out 87 batters. At the plate, Schibbelhute tallied a .380 batting average, seven doubles and 26 RBIs as she was awarded Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year.
Beth Damon, Edmond Memorial
Position: Catcher | Class: Senior
The story: Damon batted .518 with six home runs, 17 doubles and 32 RBIs to help the Bulldogs to a 28-11 record and finish as Class 6A runner-up. In her four year career at Edmond Memorial, the Central Florida commit has only struck out eight times and was voted Class 6A-1 Player of the Year in 2023.
Eden Anderson, Mustang
Position: Third Baseman | Class: Senior
The story: The Southern Nazarene commit led the Broncos in nearly every statistical category en route to 23-7 record and a regional title. Anderson posted a .523 batting average as a senior with nine home runs, 18 doubles and 38 RBIs while being selected to the Large West All-State team following the season.
Brylee Fanning, Southmoore
Position: Infielder | Class: Senior
The story: Fanning served as the SaberCats' best player during their Class 6A state championship run in October. The Murray State commit batted .425 with two home runs, 16 doubles and 25 RBIs while receiving Oklahoma High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association All-State honors after an electric senior campaign.
Ausha Moore, Carl Albert
Position: Infielder | Class: Senior
The story: Moore lead the Titans in most statistical categories as a Senior, batting .518 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs. The North Texas commit was named to the Oklahoma High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association's All-State team after helping Carl Albert finish with a 24-8 record.
More: Yukon hosts Putnam North in Oklahoma high school softball senior night. See top photos.
Ariah Mitchell, Yukon
Position: First Baseman | Class: Senior
The story: The UCO commit proved to be one of the best hitters in the state after batting .552 with four home runs, 28 doubles and 48 RBIs. Mitchell's efforts at the plate lead her to receive District 6A-2 Offensive Player of the Year honors in November.
Haley Gallo, Guthrie
Position: Center Fielder | Class: Junior
The story: Gallo has consistently been one of the best outfielders in the state and she proved it again this season. The UCO commit batted .480 with 12 home runs and 62 RBIs to help lead Guthrie to another Class 5A state championship appearance. She also scored 47 runs.
Sydnee Seat, Edmond Memorial
Position: Left Fielder | Class: Senior
The story: Seat showed out in her final year with the Bulldogs, batting .475 with two home runs, 38 RBIs and scoring 27 runs. The Oklahoma Christian signee named district defensive player of the year after allowing zero errors while playing both outfield and middle infield.
Willa Ford, Edmond Santa Fe
Position: Utility | Class: Senior
The story: Ford had a stellar return to play after tearing her ACL prior to the start of last season. She batted .421 at the plate while hitting eight runs, 25 RBIs and scored 40 runs to lead the Wolves to the regional finals. Ford has committed to play college softball at Grand Canyon University.
Taybor Moss, Piedmont
Position: Utility | Class: Junior
The story: Moss' dominance at the plate was felt by opposing pitchers as she was walked 29 times throughout the Wildcats' state title run. The District 5A-2 Player of the Year batted .476 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs to win her third consecutive 5A state championship.
Coach of the Year: Jason Lingo, Southmoore
The story: Lingo managed to revive the SaberCats’ season after only winning five of their first 14 games before finishing 19-3 to end the regular season and win his third state title in the last four seasons.
—Jordan Davis, Staff writer
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Meet The Oklahoman's 2023 Big All-City HS softball first team
