Oklahoma 6A-4A fast pitch softball state tournaments get under way later this week

It has been almost three decades since Owasso held the fast pitch softball state championship trophy in its hands. 

The program’s one and only title came in 1995.

However, the Rams head into this year's state tournament as the favorite in a crowded field of reigning and former state title holders.

“We feel really good about our team,” Owasso coach Shane Eicher said. “They work really hard and have seemed super focused this year.”

The Rams are the top seed in the Class 6A tournament, which kicks off Thursday at Firelake Ballpark in Shawnee. They will take on Choctaw in their opening-round game.

Owasso has amassed a 33-1-1 record this season. Their only loss came Sept. 23 against Troy Buchanon (Mo.) at the September softball Slam Invitational in Missouri. The Rams have not lost to any squad in Oklahoma this season.

Their victories include tight games against last season's 6A champion in Edmond Memorial and Choctaw. Both are in the state tournament field this week.

“To have a chance to win, we will have to play error-free and must be able to move runners and take advantage of every opportunity we get," said Eicher.

Also battling for the 6A crown are Mustang, Broken Arrow, Moore, Deer Creek and Southmoore. Except for Owasso, every team in the field has won at least one fast pitch title since 2000.

The Broncos, who last won in 2017, head to the state tournament riding an 11-game win streak. Their last loss came Sept. 16 against Stillwater.

“It takes a lot of resiliency and toughness, and a little bit of luck. Things are so chaotic at the state tournament, it's a new environment and tons of fans, playing on a new field,” Mustang coach Lacy Darity said. “Obviously you have to play really well, but the team that can handle the adversity and remain calm in the chaos is going to be tough to beat.”

Southmoore's Sabercats have won four championships since 2013. Their last one came in 2021, and coach Jason Lingo is itching to get his squad back on top of the mountain.

"Our kids are excited about the opportunity to get into the state tournament. We started the year 5-9 and we didn't know our identity as a team,” Lingo said. “But the girls have bought in and worked hard and have executed our team's game plan and we've been much more successful.

"We've won 15 of our last 18 games and we know we've got a big challenge ahead of us playing Moore, but our girls and staff are really excited and can't wait for Thursday.”

The Class 5A state tournament also kicks into gear Thursday at Firelake Ballpark. And just like last season, Piedmont (35-3) heads into the three-day event as the unquestioned leader.

Of the defending 5A champion Wildcats' three defeats this season, only a 4-1 loss to Norman North came against competition inside the state.

The Wildcats have already beaten No. 2 Midwest City Carl Albert, No. 3 Guthrie and No. 4 Elgin by a combined score of 31-12 during the NW Oklahoma City Festival in mid-September. All three are in the 5A field looking to topple Piedmont.

The rest of the field includes Durant, Pryor, Tahlequah and Coweta. Piedmont and Durant open the tournament with an 11 a.m. matchup.

In Class 4A, there will be a new champion this season with Lone Grove not making the state tournament. In fact, neither of the 2022 championship finalists are in the 2023 field.

That leaves the competition open for the likes of Tuttle, Weatherford, Purcell, North Rock Creek and Newcastle.

All three classes will play their opening games and semifinals at Firelake Ball Park. However, for championships, the contests will be moved to the University of Oklahoma on Saturday.

Class 4A kicks things off at noon, while 5A plays at 2:30 p.m. and 6A at 5 p.m.

“I still believe there is a little luck to be had to win this thing,” Eicher said. “All the teams that will be in the tournament are really good and sometimes you need that little bloop hit to fall and someone also has to step up and make a big play in the field.”

Photo of Edmond Memorial winning the 2022 Class 6A state title

-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK