'STAND A CHANCE': THS slow pitch comes into 2026 with high expectations

With five games already in the books, things are already looking up for Tahlequah’s slow-pitch softball. Through the early stretch of the season, the Lady Tigers have three wins and nine home runs, surpassing both of their totals from last season. Despite THS and head coach Chris Ray being a perennial State Tournament team in fast pitch, the Lady Tigers haven’t had the same success recently in slow pitch.

However, that looks to change this season, as the Lady Tigers boast a deep roster and have high expectations. “When playoff time rolls around, we’ll stand a chance in the State Tournament,” Ray said. “We haven’t had a chance the past couple of years, but I really and truly think we’ve got as good a chance as possible.

” 8S4A7428. JPG Tahlequah’s Addie Davis tags out Owasso’s Kaylee Isam to save a run in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday, Sept. 9 during the fast-pitch season.

Davis is one of only two returning players for the slow-pitch team from 2025. THS already has a two-game sweep of Owasso, and wins over Eufaula and Poteau, with one loss to a Bartlesville team that was in the State Tournament last season. While there aren’t a lot of returning players from last season and the roster is mainly freshmen, the talent is there this season for the Lady Tigers’ slow-pitch team.