Oklahoma high school softball storylines, players to watch for Class 6A-4A state tournament

Oklahoma high school fastpitch softball state tournaments for Classes 6A-4A will start with Thursday and Friday games at Firelake Ball Fields in Shawnee. Then the Saturday finals will take place at At OU's Marita Hynes Field in Norman.

State fastpitch tournaments were held at USA Hall of Fame Stadium in previous years, but the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association constructed a new plan this year as the cost to play at Hall of Fame Stadium rose.

In last week's Class 3A-B state championships, Perry (Class 3A) and Tupelo (Class B) won their first-ever state titles while both Dale (Class 2A) and Caddo (Class A) won their third respective state championships in the last six years.

Reigning champions Edmond Memorial (Class 6A) and Piedmont (Class 5A) will return to their respective tournaments, while Class 4A will crown a new winner. Here’s a look at storylines and players to watch:

More: Mustang softball 'leaning on' Amelia Mason in circle as Broncos rebuild in Class 6A

Newcastle looking to capitalize in first postseason appearance in four years

Racers softball is back to business as usual in Newcastle.

Before their state title in 2019, Newcastle head coach Mike Crossley took the Racers to state 28 times in his first 32 years with the program. However, they haven’t made an appearance at state since winning Class 4A four years ago.

This year the Racers are back competing at a high level, finishing the regular season with a 31-4 record. Crossley has stressed to his players to take advantage of the opportunity to do something special in the next few days.

“We know that this weekend will not be easy whatsoever,” Crossley said. “There are some unbelievable teams in 4A that will be ready to compete this weekend and strive for the same goal we do. I’ve told them to take it one day at a time and then worry about what’s next after we handle our business.”

Newcastle heads into the postseason riding a 22-game win streak highlighted by the play of pitcher Aubree Ferguson and first baseman Brooklyn Lyles. Ferguson has struck out 239 batters in 29 wins in the circle and has an ERA of 1.20. She recently eclipsed 700 career strikeouts in Newcastle’s regional win over Wagoner.

Lyles has dominated when up to bat for Newcastle. The UCO commit has yet to strike out in 119 plate appearances and is batting .387 on the season despite battling through a torn hip labrum that has affected her play since her freshman year. Her femur has popped out of the socket multiple times throughout the year and has elected to not get surgery until after the season in defiance of playing through pain.

Crossley is leaning on the experience of his four-year starters to help bring another state title to Newcastle.

“We have the type of ball club that has been in tough situations before so I believe we have a great shot to win at all,” Crossley said. “There will be adversity we’ll have to push through with the amount of quality teams in the tournament, but we're excited to get out there and hopefully we'll be hoisting that trophy come Saturday.”

More: Oklahoma high school softball storylines, players to watch for Class 3A-B state tournament

Will Piedmont three-peat?

Since missing the postseason altogether in 2020, Piedmont has yet to look back.

The Wildcats have won three of the last four Class 5A state championships under eighth-year head coach Keith Coleman and look to win another title after finishing the regular season 36-3.

“It's going to be an extremely difficult challenge in every game we play this weekend,” Coleman said, “But best believe we’ll be ready to play. We have an experienced and competitive group that understands what it takes to win in the postseason.”

Piedmont is led by a strong cast of veteran pitchers in Addison Underwood and Payten Schibbelhute, who have combined for over 170 strikeouts in the circle. At the plate, senior Taybor Moss has led the Wildcats while batting .510 with 37 runs batted in and seven home runs.

With a strong cast of stars in the bullpen, the Wildcats are striving for its third straight 5A title.

“It's the same thing for us as it is every year — we want to try to be as calm as we can,” Coleman said. “We want to be the first team that settles into the crazy environment that you experience at Firelake where you can hear all the games going on at once. So for us, we have to settle in early, do what we do best and just play the game the right way.”

More: Yukon softball's Ariah Mitchell savors senior night, but her dad coaches PC North to win

Riley, Moore looking to get over the hump for first time in 16 years

Moore has been clicking on all cylinders heading into postseason play.

The Lions have won 25 of their last 26 games and enter the state tournament ranked second with a school-best 32-3 record However, Moore is seeking their first Class 6A state championship in 16 years.

Head coach Stephanie Riley believes her group’s identity is built around their intensity.

“If you watch a lot of softball, you realize early that it's a game of energy,” Riley said. “Our success is predicated on the combined energy we put forth as a team. That's what I want the bottom bar to be for the next three games. I told them I want our energy as high as it’s ever been and they were really receptive to it.”

Moore is led by a dynamic duo in the outfield of seniors in OSU commit Libby Jacques and Rogers State commit Karlee Smith. Jacques has been on a tear in her last four games, scoring eight runs with seven hits and 10 runs-batted-in.

Since being hired as coach in 2008, Riley has led Moore to second-place state title finishes four times in that span. The former three-time national champion at OCU is now looking to win her first fastpitch state championship as head coach of her alma mater.

“I can remember us starting this thing in July with our offseason and preseason workouts in the weight room — so it’s night and day to see where we were then and where we are now,” Riley said. “The main thing for us is making sure we go into each matchup together and remain strong in the toughest moments to come out on top.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school softball players to watch for 6A-4A tournaments