Sparks take second in home tourney
Stigler’s 10-and-under Sparks fast pitch softball team hosted a five-team double elimination tournament at Stigler Sports Complex on March 11. Teams traveled to Stigler from Lavaca, Ark., Henryetta, Moore and Oktaha.
The Sparks started the tournament against the Oktaha Aces. The Sparks grabbed an early lead on its way to a 18-1 victory over the Aces, scoring six runs in the first inning. Avery Williams started the game pitching by putting out the first three batters she faced. Next, the Sparks nailed six more points to the scoreboard.
Dally Engle started the second inning on the mound, striking out two batters and catching a steal at home plate for the third out. Sparks closed the game in the third inning, getting six runs to finish the game. Jordan Johnson had the big hit, getting a double while Kambry Williams lead the Sparks with stolen bases.
Sparks advanced to face the Moore team Oklahoma Shocks 06.
The Sparks jumped to an early lead over the Oklahoma Shocks 06. Sparks won the coin toss and took the field with Williams at the mound in their second game of the day. Avery came out ahead for the Sparks with three strikeouts.
Payton Rea and Johnson stole home to score the first runs against the Shocks. Engle caught a fly ball and a player trying to steal home behind the plate to finish the second inning for the Sparks. Madi Jones hit a ground ball to shortstop and received two RBIs as Rea and Johnson crossed home plate.
Sparks collected ten hits against Oklahoma Shocks 06. Jones went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Sparks in hits. The Sparks were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Caitlyn Lovett led the Sparks with three stolen bases as they ran wild on the base paths with 10 total stolen bases to seal the game 7-1, sending the Sparks to the next round against Swat 06 from Lavaca, Ark.
The Sparks fell behind early and couldn’t come back as Swat 06 defeated the Sparks 5-2. The Sparks lost the coin toss and was up to bat first with no hits. Williams started at the mound for the third straight game for the Sparks to get the first two outs by strike outs. Swat 06 scored two on a fly ball to right field while Johnson picked up the third out with a ground ball to short stop and a throw to first for the out. Swat 06 walked three players, but the Sparks failed to get their bats warm.
Cook took the mound for the Sparks when it became a team effort to get three outs in the bottom of the second inning. The top of the third for the Sparks didn’t help either when they fell short of getting the ball out of the infield. The Swat 06 was able to steal two runs when the Sparks committed an error allowing them to score.
The top of the fourth provided some promise after Engle, Jones, Kambry Williams, Avery Williams reached base. Engle scored getting the Sparks final run. Swat 06 won 5-2 sending Sparks to the losers bracket against the Henryetta team Oklahoma Slyme 06.
The Sparks defeated Oklahoma Slyme 9-1 as two pitchers teamed up to throw a no-hitter. Sparks grabbed an early six-run lead in the first inning. The Sparks tore up the base paths as Cook had three stolen bases while Johnson led the way with five stolen bases.
The big hit came from Engle when she hit a screamer to left field for her second home run of the season. Then, the Sparks headed to the championship game against Swat 06.
Cook started the championship game for the Sparks after they won the coin toss.
The Sparks fought behind Cook for two outs as Cook set down the third out. Johnson tried to steal home on a high throw at third, but was gunned down by the left fielder at home plate. The Swats bats came alive, getting five runs while the Sparks struggled to hold on. Cook scored on a passed ball to third base for the Sparks final score.
Engle started the third inning on the mound while it was another team effort to get three outs. Johnson took a bad hop to the chest at second base for the first out and Avery Williams picked up a sacrifice bunt to gun down the runner at first.
The Sparks lost 8-1 after time expired. Swat 06 went home with the gold championship rings. Sparks took second place with the silver finalist rings.