Stigler softball plays districts at Spiro

Stigler’s softball team entered districts against Spiro on Tuesday, Sept. 20, with five straight wins after beating Roland 7-3 at home the previous day. Saylor Thornton had two hits and two RBIs while Shauntey Hays also drove in two runs against the Rangers.

The Panthers (7-14) were unable to keep pace with the 10th-ranked Bulldogs (23-10) in the district tournament. Spiro won the first game 15-2.

“We ran into a buzzsaw. We didn’t field the ball well and they hit the ball really well,” Stigler coach Doug Cagle said.

Spiro had six runs in each of the first two innings. Hays gave the Panthers a spark by hitting a two-run home run in the third. Spiro scored three in the bottom half of the inning.

Stigler came back with more fire in the second game, but lost 15-4. After allowing three runs in the top of the first inning, the Panthers notched a run as Hays scored on an error. Spiro scored three runs with two outs in the top of the second.

Sarah Busse escaped the jam by winning a battle against Spiro slugger Shakerrah Gladness, forcing Gladness to fly out to left field.

“She worked hard, pitching 10 to 12-pitch at bats,” Cagle said.

In the bottom of the second, Madison Gilmore drew a bases loaded walk and Saylor Thornton hit an RBI groundout, closing it to 6-3. Thornton hit another run scoring groundout in the fourth. Cagle saw the team improve late in the season.

“The last seven or eight games, we got better. Our communication got better,” he said.

With Madison Gilmore as the only senior, Cagle expressed optimism for next year's fast pitch season.

"Everyone's coming back except Gilmore. We'll be a year older and a little bit better. Winning and consistency brings success and confidence," he said.