After a few years of struggling in slow pitch softball, including last season when the Lady Tigers won just two games, coach Chris Ray feels like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for the upcoming season.

“We had low numbers last year. In fact, I was scouring the hallways at school trying to recruit enough players to even have a team and then we had some injuries on top of that, so last year was a season I’d just as soon forget. But this year we’ll have 17 players on the roster which will give us the numbers to have some meaningful depth.”

Tahlequah returns four starters from last year’s team in seniors Alayna Stopp and Cadence Kirk as well as sophomores Raylee McCarter and Addie Davis. There will also be added talent from the fast pitch team that will play this year including senior Riley Dotson and junior Zoie Griffin.

“Given our success last fall, think the excitement level for slow pitch is pretty high this year with the added talent of players who play fast pitch and travel ball though it may take some of them a bit to learn the nuances of slow pitch aa opposed to fast pitch,” said Ray. “Who will play where is still a work in progress in some places. Cadence will definitely be in the circle most of the time with freshman Jordyn Dotson also getting some pitching experience. Zoie has shown a good knack for chasing down flies and with her speed she’ll probably be in the outfield along with move-in Abby Reneau. Alayna will play second base if her troublesome knee injury lets her. Alix Kimble, who split time with Zoie pitching in fast pitch, will likely be at first base.”

Ray also mentioned several freshmen that he expects to see action this spring including Lilly Garcia, Gypsy Calcotte, Holly Vick, Kallie Stopp, Natalie Vanbuskirk, Maddie Spradlin, Kayden Trammel and Rylee Cruse.

“We’ll have more speed and power and talent this spring, so I think we’ll have as good a chance as anyone to make it to state this year,” said the veteran coach.