Lady Indians win regional

The Comanche softball team scored early and often as they moved one step closer to the state tournament by defeating Luther twice last week to advance to this week’s Super Regional at Kiefer.

The Lady Indians cruised through the regional tournament. They had a first-round bye and then outscored Luther 27-9 over two games.

Comanche scored in every inning in their first game against Luther on Thursday, as they run-ruled the Lady Lions in five innings, 13-3.

The Lady Indians jumped out with four runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed. They added two runs each in the second and third innings, one in the fourth and four more in the fifth. Luther scored one run each in the first, fourth and fifth innings.

Comanche pounded out 12 hits in the game and every Comanche starter had at least one hit. Bre Gill and Jentry Whaley led the way. Gill went 2-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored while Whaley went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored. Both players homered in the game. Josey Harris also picked up a pair of hits to help her own cause on the mound. Raylee Chaney, Mykayla Slovak, Caity Ramsey, Jaylee Roebuck, Kenley Rendon and Cloey Kinkade each had a hit.
Harris pitched a complete game to get the win on the mound. She gave up six hits, three earned runs, one walk and struck out four.

On Friday, it was the long ball that helped get the Lady Indians out front and helped them stay ahead as Luther looked for one final push not to have their season end.

After a scoreless first two innings, Slovak belted a grand slam in the top of the third as part of a five-run inning to give her team the lead.

The Lady Indians looked to be cruising to a rather easy win up 7-0 in the top of the fifth, but the Lady Lions fought back in the bottom of the fifth and scored five runs and suddenly the game was within reach for Luther.

Comanche would respond in the top of the sixth, however, to put Luther away for good. The Lady Indians exploded for seven runs, including a three-run home run by Gill.

It would end up being another big day at the plate for Comanche as once again everyone in the starting lineup had at least one hit. Chaney and Rendon each had three hits, Whaley, Kinkade and Harris had two each and Gill, Slovak, Ramsey and Roebuck each had a hit. Harris had two doubles in the game.

Kamrey Rendon started the game on the mound and picked up the win. She pitched five innings before being relieved by Harris in the final two innings to close out the game.

Rendon gave up five hits, three earned runs, walked one and struck out three.

Harris pitched a perfect two innings, giving up no hits or walks and striking out two.

Super Regional at Kiefer

The Lady Indians (20-11) have a long and tough road trip if they wish to make to their third straight state tournament. Standing in their way are the Kiefer Lady Trojans, located just outside Tulsa.

Kiefer was a state tournament team last year as well.

The Lady Trojans (28-4) are led by Kammie Smith, their lead-off hitter, who has committed to Division I program Wichita State.

Keifer is ranked fifth, but has suffered a couple of late losses, including being upset in the first round of the regional tournament at home against Idabel before fighting their way back through the loser’s bracket to win the tournament.

Game times are Wednesday at 3 and 5 p.m. The “if necessary” game would be played at noon on Thursday.