CENTRAL SOFTBALL
TAHLEQUAH — As the opening week of the 2023 fast-pitch softball season ended last week, the Central Lady Tigers could not muster a win in the 2023 Big 8 Conference Tournament, which took place at Northeastern State University.
Central lost to county rival Vian 12-2, then lost 5-4 to Howe, 8-7 to Keys (Park Hill) and 6-2 to Westville.
In Central’s loss to Vian, the Lady Wolverines had a 10-0 lead after two innings.
In defeat, Ayrland Jiles doubled with two RBIs, Cambree Bair doubled and Kallie Henning and Brianna Taylor each singled for the Lady Tigers (0-5).
Jiles (0-5) took the loss.
In Central’s loss to Howe, the Lady Tigers fell behind 5-0 by the fourth inning, but Central rallied with four runs in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Jiles, RBI singles by Keeley Poindexter and Henning and a wild pitch to cut Howe’s lead to 5-4. However, after Central’s turn at bat ended in the frame, the game was called due to the time limit.
In defeat, Jiles hit an RBI double and scored once, while Poindexter, Henning, Avery Warner and Allie Harris all singled. Jiles took the loss.
In Central’s loss to Keys (Park Hill), the Lady Cougars scored twice in their last at-bats to snatch away the victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Lady Tigers took a 7-6 lead in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single by Avery Warner, scoring her sister Alyvia Warner, setting up Keys’ comeback win.
Things got started well for Central as the Lady Tigers scored five runs in the first inning, keyed by an RBI triple by Jiles, an RBI sacrifice bunt by Riley Rowland, a bases-loaded walk to Cheyenne Busch and a two-run single by Taylor for a 5-0 lead.
However, the Lady Cougars tied the game at 5-all with a two-run first inning and a three-run second inning.
Central regained the lead in the third inning on an RBI single by Busch, scoring Bair, for a 6-5 lead, only to see Keys (Park Hill) knot the game at 6 in the home half of the frame, setting up the dramatic fifth inning.
In defeat, Avery Warner was 2-for-3 with an RBI single and a run scored, Jiles hit an RBI triple and scored once and Bair tripled and scored twice for Central. Jiles took the loss, despite striking out four batters in 4.2 innings.
In Central’s loss to Westville, the Lady Yellowjackets scored three runs in the first inning and twice in the second inning for a 5-0 lead.
The Lady Tigers scored their two runs in the third inning on an RBI double by Brianna Taylor and an RBI groundout by Jiles to cut the deficit to 5-2, but they got no closer.
In defeat, Bair was 2-for-2 and Taylor was 2-for-2 with an RBI double and a run scored. Jiles suffered the loss, despite fanning four batters in four innings.
