James D. Jackson|Oklahoman
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The 2022 slowpitch softball season is underway. Here’s a look at the top storylines and players to watch from the city-area teams.
2021 state champions
6A: Mustang
5A: Broken Bow
4A: Dale
3A: Morrison
2A: Binger-Oney
A: Red Oak
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Can Mustang repeat in 6A?
Mustang is fresh off its first slowpitch state championship after storming from behind in the final innings of the title game.
The Broncos took down No. 4 Jenks, No. 1 Southmoore and No. 3 Moore in its magicaltitle run. Mustang returns five starters from its championship team, including sophom*ore third baseman Eden Anderson, whohit 28 home runs as a freshman.
But like the Broncos, theircompetitionhasregrouped. Staring them down is agroup of city-area teams that are ready to sit at the top of the hill.
Southmoore isat the top of the Class 6A standings just one month into the season with the help of Grand Canyon commit Taitum Bradshaw and others,while No. 3 Choctaw, led by Stephen F. Austin commit Lily West, No. 4 Deer Creek and No. 5Moore sitwith them in the top five.
All of the teams are filled with talent and are likely to make noise this postseason.
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Can Dale be stopped?
Dale has been one of the most consistently dominant teams in the state under head coach Andy Powell.
Madison Conley smashed a grand slam to give Dale its fifth consecutive slowpitch state championship last season. Now, the Pirates will look for theirsixth straight and they returnkey players such as Conley.
And after hitting 60 home runs last season,the junior already has eight home runs in the 2022 campaign.Dale is off to a 3-1 start in Class 4A, only falling to Class 6A Choctaw so far this season.
Washington is on the rise and is on the Pirates' coattails. The Warriorswon the 2021 Class 3A fastpitch state championship after run-ruling each of theiropponents in the tournament and they haven'tshown any signs of slowing down.
Washington returns nearly every player from its championship club, including Oklahoman Little All-City selections Mattie Richardson and Maggie Place.
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Is this a statement year for North Rock Creek?
The goal is simple for North Rock Creek this season.
Prove it can be a force to be reckoned with.
North Rock Creekmade its first slowpitch state tournament appearance last season and fell in the first round. ButNRC bounced back and advanced to the fastpitch state championship game in its first year of eligibility last season.
Now, North Rock Creek will try to carry its momentum from the fastpitch season into its slowpitch campaign this springwith key players Hannah Earlywine, Haley Hacker and Katie Larson returning.
It won't be easy. North Rock Creek willhave to get past Class 5A defending state runner-upTec*mseh, led by Serenity Jacoway and Bristin Hayes, along withNewcastle and a hefty field of other talented teams.
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Players to watch
Kalie Amos, Sr.,Westmoore:The Lamar signee had14 home runs, 46 RBIs and .691 batting average last season to lead Westmoore to a state tournament appearance.
Bella Cabral, Jr., Choctaw: AVirginia commit, Cabral put together a great fastpitch season last year, hitting 16 homers to finish as one of the top home run hitters in the state. Now with just a toss from the pitcher, Cabral could hit double-digit home runs again.
Tallen Edwards, Jr., Southmoore:The Oklahoma State commit has been one of the state’s best players since she first stepped on the diamond. Edwards has helped Southmoore to two fastpitch state championships andher travel ball team to a national title.Shewill look to earn her first slowpitch state championship this season.
Abbie Eichler, So., Guthrie:Eichler recorded a .655 batting average with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs in slowpitch last season, and she'll look to lead a Guthrie squad that is gaining steam.
Jayden Haney, Sr., North Rock Creek:AnEastern Oklahoma State College commit, Haney is the only senior for North Rock Creek. She'll try to lead a talented group to another deep state tournamentrun.
Tara Hoehner, Jr., Minco:After falling just short of the slowpitch postseason last year, Hoehner led Minco to the fastpitch state tournament with outstanding play from multiple positions. Hoehner tallied a .721 batting average, 20 home runs and 62 RBIs in her previousslowpitch season.
Ashlee Hogg, Jr., Deer Creek: Hogg recorded a .606 batting average last season to go along with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs. Deer Creek is a young squad with just three upperclassmen, but Hogg can lead them far.
Skyla McPhillips, Sr., Harrah: The Southwestern Oklahoma State commit recorded a batting average of.612 and nine home runs as Harrah struggled to find its footing. But that can all change this season after McPhillips helped Harrah to a fastpitch state tournament appearance last year.
RyleeRoss, Sr., Newcastle: A Cameron commit, the outfielder put together a .745 batting average, seven home runs and 46 RBIs last season. Ross has already tallied four home runs and 19 RBIs this season.
Gracie St.Hilaire, Sr., Moore:The Central Arkansas commit was a part of the Moore team that advanced to the slowpitch state championship last season. The outstanding hitter will look to take the Lionsall the way this season.
James D. Jackson covers high school sports across the Oklahoma City metro and state. Have a story idea for James? He can be reached at jjackson@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @JamesDJackson15. Support James'work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
