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The Class 3A-B Oklahoma high school slowpitch softball state championships were held on Wednesday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
Here are recaps from each game:
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Caddo's Kadey Lee McKay wasn't sure if she'd get on base in her final high school game.
Her patience began to run thin with Rattan. Each time she stepped up to bat, she was intentionally walked.
But as the game's climax approached and it was time to make a play, McKay stepped to the plate to a pleasant surprise.
"I was on deck, and I remember thinking, 'If we get a single, I can win this ballgame right with one swing,'" McKay said. "Then I got up to bat, and they started throwing some outside pitches. They had been throwing me inside all game before then. I remember telling myself all game that if I get one pitch close enough, then I have to swing it. So, I did."
McKay's final at-bat for Caddo sparked hysteria in the stands from her hometown peers. She crushed a walk-off grand slam, triggering the run rule as Caddo defeated Rattan 13-3 in the Class 3A state championship game.
With the win, the Bruins won their sixth overall softball state championship, having split with three each in fastpitch and slowpitch.
Caddo head coach Dustin McKay deems the program's recent success "a dream come true."
"I told our girls after our regional win that what they've been able to accomplish is pretty remarkable," McKay said. "It's next to impossible to do what they've been able to accomplish and the legacy they've created. They've built the culture that we've got. This feeling is just as special as it can be."
Caddo put on a dominant display of power hitting through five innings. It created notable separation in the second inning, scoring eight runs on seven hits to take an 8-3 lead. Then Rylan Peevyhouse brought in an additional run in the fifth before McKay's walkoff.
Kadey Lee McKay ends her high school career as one of the best softball players in Oklahoma and will continue her career collegiately at OU. She credits her dad and teammates for her success and is eager to take Love's Field next year.
"To win this trophy is just something that I can't even put into words properly," McKay said. "I'm just super excited for the future and want to keep winning. I'd be nothing without this program, though. I can't live without the people who have pushed me along the way."
Class 2A: Cyril 12, Shattuck 9
Tim Persinger vividly remembers begging players to join the Cyril slowpitch program in 2010.
Notable flashbacks from his inaugural season resurfaced as he prepared for Cyril's state tournament run on Wednesday. Persinger sought to cherish the moment, refusing to take it for granted.
For the first time in its softball program history, Cyril is the Class 2A slowpitch state champion.
"It always feels good to make it to state, but there's no words for how I'm feeling right now after winning it all," Cyril coach Tim Persinger said following Cyril's 12-9 state championship win over Shattuck.
"To win the last game of the year is what it's all about. From day one this year, we said we can play with anybody. And I think today we proved it."
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After trailing by two runs entering the fifth inning, Cyril began to strike into rhythm at the plate.
A double from Hadley Gibson got the bats churning early in the inning before a three-run home run from Rin Morton gave Cyril its first lead. Later in the inning, Hadley's sister, Audrey, crushed a single to center field to bring in another run.
Persinger attributes the fifth inning span as the turning point of the game.
"They never quit—that's one thing I've learned about the girls," Persinger said. "We've had our lips beat off this year a few times, but it made us better. Moments like those can really swing a game in our favor, and they kept their composure to finish it out."
The Gibson sisters continued to add to Cyril's total down the stretch. Both finished the evening with four hits, including an RBI single from Audrey, which gave Cyril an additional run late in the final inning.
After recently losing a few family members ahead of the state tournament, Hadley and Audrey credit their angels for their performances in the state championship game.
"Our family has been hit really hard with two close losses this year," Audrey Gibson said. "We dedicate everything we did this year to them."
Hadley Gibson added: "It's been so hard for us, but we just stayed together, and our motivation has been to play for them. They have the best seat to watch us play out our dreams. I just feel so great to know they got to see us make history."
EJ Forsythe envisioned leaving his mark at Turner ahead of the season.
When hired a year ago, he made it a goal to lead the team back to the state championship game, hoping to usher in a new era. He continued to manifest that same dream in the months leading up to the state tournament.
Forsythe concluded the first year of his tenure in grand fashion.
Turner defeated Binger-Oney 12-2 in the Class A state championship game. The win resulted in the Falcons' second slowpitch state title in program history after winning in 2022.
"This championship is all about the kids, man," Turner coach EJ Forsythe said. "I've got a group that works hard, constantly, but this is a true blessing. I tell everybody I was blessed to step into a situation where you get a group of kids who love competing. I never have to worry about them giving their best effort."
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The outstanding performance of sophomore second baseman Adlin Lee propelled the Falcons' triumph. She drove in four runs on three hits. Her three-run home run in the second inning catapulted Turner to a 7-0 lead.
Lee added to the Falcons' efforts further in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI single. Her at-bat sparked an avalanche of hits from Turner.
"I was just motivated to get on base today," Lee said. "My mindset was base hit, not hitting a home run or into the grass. I was trying so hard for my team and wanted to score badly. I know we'll be celebrating this win forever, and I'm just happy we could pull it off."
Turner concluded the season with a 32-3 record.
Caney is the Class B slowpitch state champion for the first time in school history.
The game drew a stalemate for the first three innings. Then, at the top of the fourth, freshman Cheyenne Daniel hit a two-run home run to center field while bringing in Leah Smith to score.
Daniel was walked in her next at-bat at the top of the sixth. A sacrifice fly from Alana Kendrick brought home Daniel and junior McKinnley Wheeler.
"Usually, I'm focused on getting base hits because I don't want to pop it up," Daniel said after Caney's 4-3 win over Lookeba-Sickles. "Well, when I hit it over, it just made me really excited to be here. I'm happy that I'm able to make plays for my team. It's a surreal feeling."
Yet, despite a four-run deficit in the seventh inning, Lookeba-Sickles nearly came back. With the bases loaded, senior Kamden Stocking crushed a two-out triple to left field, bringing in three runs.
However, a groundout in the very next at-bat clinched it for Caney.
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_ . Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS slowpitch softball: Caddo, Cyril, Caney and Turner win state championships
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