The Lady Pioneer softball team used a 3-run 5th inning in front of a raucous crowd at Couch Park to beat Enid 5-1 in a high-stakes game that gives Stillwater home-field advantage in regionals next week.
“With the win, we now will be one of eight teams to host a regional,” Head Coach Linsenmeyer said of their big district win Monday night. “Hosting is always better than traveling to play at another team’s field.”
The game started with the Pioneers down 1-0 from a previously started game that was suspended due to lightning and rescheduled for Monday. Pitcher Brittani Murray held Enid scoreless the rest of the game.
Junior Calle Cox, catcher, had an important single that scored a run during the Lady Pioneers victory and said it was a great win for Coach Lisenmeyer’s birthday.
“I feel like it was really exciting, and I feel like it was the most fun we had playing this season,” Cox said. “Everyone was just so hyped and ready to go,” Cox said.
The young Lady Pioneer team tied the game in bottom of the third when freshman Grace Tonga hit a double that brought in sophomore Landen Warner. Tonga also produced a hit in the 5th inning.
“The key [to the game] was our freshman Grace Tonga coming up with a big hit in 5th,” Linsenmeyer said. “I also believe our dugout kept the energy high throughout.”
The crowd was also a big factor in the game.
“The crowd support was tremendous, and our young players really thrive on a supportive crowd,” Linsenmeyer said.