Wynnewood tournament showcases several local teams
Stratford is once again the RWB Tournament Champions, and the hosting Wynnewood Lady Savages placed third.
“This was the most exciting tournament of all my four years,” said Stratford senior and centerfielder Ryleigh Ardery. “We weren’t seeded as high as we usually are. We normally are first or second seed, but we came back and won it.”
The Lady Bulldogs went 2-1 in pool play before winning three straight games in the single elimination bracket.
“I’m extremely proud of this team for their championship victory today,” said Coach Tony Prichard. “We’ve gone through a lot of adversity early in the season. We overcame it and came together as a team. This victory and this tournament will be our stepping stone as we head into playoffs.”
In the championship, Stratford took the lead in the top of the second when Kortni Green hit a fly ball to right field and multiple errors allowed Callaway Davis-Stroud to score.
Gemma Carotenuti hit a grounder to second base that batted in 2 runs to put the Lady Bulldogs at 3 in the top of the fifth.
Davis only managed a single run in the bottom of the fifth.
Carotenuti pitched the championship win, with no walks, 2 strikeouts, and 15 total outs.
In the semifinal game, Stratford beat Wynnewood 6-2.
The Lady Savages took an early lead, with Skylar Tinnin scoring on an error.
Stratford responded by scoring 4 in the top of the second. A Green grounder batted in Davis-Stroud, an error sent Rhayce Ardery home, and Ryleigh Ardery batted in Hannah Lester and Green. In the third inning, Mckenlie Hatton scored off an error.
Wynnewood scored again when Reagan Reed scored on an error after Annika Pittman hit a single to right field.
Stratford scored a final time when Carotenuti batted in Callie Sandlin.
In the bottom of the fifth, Carotenuti as pitcher threw 2 crucial outs to first base and then struck out the last batter.
“I was super excited to pitch,” she said.
Before the Stratford game, Wynnewood had a habit of falling behind and coming back.
In pool play, they beat Maysville 6-5 after trailing 5-1 in the fourth inning. Then against Konowa, the Lady Savages tied the game at 2 in the bottom of the fifth to send the game to a tiebreaker that ended with a 5-4 win.
In bracket play, Wynnewood tied Maysville at 4 in the first inning, then sealed the win in the bottom of the third.
“We were getting down and having to come back,” said Wynnewood Coach Terry Rogers. “We’re very happy and very proud of our kids for their time and effort.”
Wynnewood faced Asher in the third-place game. The Lady Indians had a 7-6 lead going into the bottom of the fourth.
Olivia White hit a double to left field that batted in Tinnin. Then Reed hit it to center field to send White home for the 8-7 win.
“It’s a heart attack for the fans and the coaches, but I praise the kids for never quitting,” Rogers said.
Maysville lost all three games in pool play before being eliminated by Wynnewood.
“We just need to clean up those little things,” said Maysville Coach Macey Arnold. “We are right there, but those little things keep holding us back.”
