The Class 6A-3A Oklahoma high school fastpitch softball state championships were held on Saturday at Devon Park.
Here are recaps from each game:
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Shane Eicher envisioned how the Class 6A state playoffs would go in Owasso's favor ahead of their quarterfinal matchup.
He also did it last year. And the year before that. And the year before that year.
In total, Eicher has previously led Owasso to six state postseason appearances and failed in all his attempts. So, when he received a Gatorade bath from his players after Owasso defeated Choctaw for a state title, he breathed a comforting sigh of relief.
For the first time since 1995, Owasso is the 6A fastpitch state champion.
"I guess the seventh time's the charm," Eicher said.
"This means the world to me, mainly because they're great kids. Many of them are multi-sport kids and still give their all to this game every time they step on the field. What more can you ask for?"
Throughout the season, Eicher stressed the importance of maintaining energy between games.
His players seemingly bought into that mentality early, opening the game with four runs in the first inning. Junior infielder Katelyn Knight got things going with a quick two-run single, bringing in teammates to score.
Owasso continued to pile on the runs, leading 7-2 by the bottom of the third inning, never looking back.
A key proponent in the victory was senior pitcher Preslee Downing, who dominated in the circle. The Stephen F. Austin softball commit pitched a complete game, striking out seven batters while contributing two RBIs at the plate.
"Since we were allowed to start practicing, we've had the mindset that we're going to be in the last game of the season, and we're going to win it all," Downing said.
"We've competed like we knew we'd be here in all our practices and games. We've worked hard for it, so I can't ask for a better outcome."
The title comes in a historic season for Owasso. They end the year with a 32-6 record while averaging eight runs per game and defeating opponents by nearly seven runs on average.
It's a bittersweet victory for Eicher and Owasso, as the program will graduate 10 seniors at the end of the year. But Eicher always figured his first state title would come with a cost.
"I'm just glad we were able to get our seniors one," Eicher said.
"I'm just so proud of the kids and of our community for coming out and showing love the way they do. Seeing players and coaches from other sports drive two hours east to watch us is huge. It's a great community we have. It really has a small-town feel even though it's big."
Tayla Vance didn't know what to expect when she took the field on Saturday.
The sophomore outfielder entered the matchup with anxious nerves despite remaining confident. It was the biggest game of her young career, and the stakes were high.
To her surprise, Vance would emerge as a key contributor in Pryor's 7-4 victory over Piedmont in the Class 5A state championship.
"Honestly, this is the first time I've ever been through a game like this," Vance said. "We all knew it would be too. I just went into it praying and reminding myself to keep a good mindset and stay positive."
Pryor's win resulted in the program's third fastpitch state title and its first since 2016.
Vance ignited the team's offense in the bottom of the first inning, launching a double to center field. Moments later, freshman Zariah Diaz followed up with a single, bringing Vance home for the game's first run.
Pryor extended its lead in a dominant bottom of the second, scoring five runs. Vance struck again with another double, driving in two runners, and soon scored herself after junior Kenzi Bennett hit a two-run single.
It was a memorable day for Vance, who only realized the title's significance after the final out.
"I never even knew this was only our third state title until just now," Vance said. "I just hoped to win, but to know that now is crazy. I love all these girls, and it just means a lot to do it with all of my friends and family here."
Chell Looney joined the Pryor coaching staff as an assistant in 2017 and became head coach in 2021, leading the team to the state tournament the following season.
Pryor attacked the offseason with renewed vigor after a heartbreaking loss in the state semifinals last year.
Looney was impressed by the team's commitment during 7 a.m. workouts and summer scrimmages, and Saturday's victory was a culmination of that hard work.
"This championship is so rewarding mainly because I know they've worked extremely hard," Looney said. "They just never quit, and they never take days off. They listen and have been very coachable. We just have an outstanding group of girls, and I wouldn't have this happen any other way."
Ricky Morris stood surrounded by his players, drenched from head to toe.
It was a fresh sight for Weatherford softball fans. In recent years, Gatorade baths for coaches had only been a celebratory reaction in other sports around the school.
That is until now.
Weatherford is the Class 4A fastpitch state champion for the first time in program history.
“I’d let them drench me 20 more times if it meant we’d be winning a championship,” Morris said. “This is nine years in the making. When you just think back to all the work these girls have put in — man, this is awesome.”
The match began hitless for the first three innings before chaos ensued.
Weatherford struck first in the top of the fourth. After senior infielder Harlie Chism stole third base, Karson McPherson singled to center field to bring in Chism to score. The team would score three runs in the seventh inning to help further secure the title.
Senior pitcher Marley Teasley was instrumental in the win, striking out 11 batters and allowing only three hits in the shutout performance.
“Nobody believed that we could do it,” Chism said. “After we lost last year, we've just been going at it. Whenever we took a loss this year, we'd come back and do something about it — and we didn't plan on losing here.”
This victory caps a historic season for Weatherford, finishing with an impressive record of 33-2 after winning 28 of their last 29 games.
Following the game, the players gathered for a team photo before running to the student section and fans, proudly waving their newly acquired championship banner.
It was a full-circle moment for the team, which attributes much of its success to the unwavering support from their community.
“The community at Weatherford helps tremendously,” Morris said. “As you can see, our girls just feed off of their energy. You see it in basketball, football and baseball here. One thing I can always count on is our town showing up and doing a great job supporting its kids.”
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Head coach Gary Guthrie anticipated that Saturday would evoke deep emotions, regardless of the outcome.
After Lone Grove sealed the state title win over Washington, Guthrie turned to the sky and began to break down.
This moment not only marked his first title as head coach but also came without the presence of his longtime friend and former mentor, Dennis Furr, the Lone Grove coach who passed away in July after a long battle with cancer.
In a poignant gesture, both teams gathered for prayer after the game to honor Furr’s memory.
"Words don't do this moment justice — this is special," said Guthrie, who was promoted to replace Furr after his death. "Not only was Furr my coworker, he was a dear friend of mine. The girls, our community, our coaches — we all love and miss him dearly and wanted to go out and do this for him."
With Furr in their hearts, Lone Grove unleashed a powerful performance on Saturday.
After trailing 2-0 at the bottom of the second, the team scored all 13 of its runs in three consecutive innings. A pivotal moment came in the third inning when senior Kadence Lampkin launched a two-run home run to center field, sparking an eight-run rally.
Sophomore pitcher Braylee Spence continued her stellar play, silencing Washington's bats after allowing her first home run of the season to sophomore Raelee Adkins in the second inning. Spence finished the day with 12 strikeouts and only two hits allowed.
"I love these girls so much, and I wanted to get our seniors another one so bad," Spence said. "So I left everything I had on the field for them and Coach Furr this weekend. Coach (Guthrie) has done an amazing job stepping up and leading us."
This victory marked Lone Grove’s 40th win of the season. Entering the state tournament on a high with 20 consecutive wins, the team now closes the year with its streak extended to 23.
Saturday’s championship was Lone Grove's fourth in program history and their third in the last four seasons. The team has reached the state title game every year since 2020, with three of those appearances coming under Furr.
"Coach Furr definitely left his mark, and he will forever have impacted my life personally," Spence said. "I think we all play softball differently because of him. He was one of the best people you'll ever meet in the softball world, and we've been determined all year to play through him. I just hope that he's proud and glad that we were able to get him one."
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 high school softball: Owasso, Pryor, Lone Grove and Weatherford win state titles
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