Learning curve
Softball coach expects better results down the road after rough opener
KINGFISHER FRESHMAN LILY VOTH delivers a pitch during the first inning of the Lady Jackets’ season opener against Bethany last Tuesday. The Lady Jackets were defeated 15-2, but coach Morgan Dutton said Thursday she expects her team to learn from the los
KHS SOPHOMORE Liliana Garramone delivers a single in the first inning Tuesday. Garramone was 3 for 3 at the plate and drove in a run. [KT&FP Staff Photo]
It wasn’t the season opener Morgan Dutton wanted.
It wasn’t even close to what she expected.
Still, the Kingfisher High School softball coach hopes some good comes from the Lady Jackets’ 15-2 home defeat Tuesday to Bethany.
The lesson? “It’s a very good group and they have a ton of talent,” said Dutton on Thursday when speaking to the Kingfisher Lions Club.
“But if we’re not prepared, things won’t turn out the way we wanted.”
Things certainly didn’t go the Lady Jackets’ way in the second inning when Bethany plated seven runs off five hits and three KHS errors.
All three miscues - plus a walk and a hit batter came with two outs in the inning.
The barrage helped Bethany stake an 11-0 lead before Kingfisher got its second hit of the game.
The visitors led 14-0 before KHS scored in the fourth inning.
“Things just snowballed on us,” Dutton said. “But hopefully they’ll use it as a learning tool and be ready this weekend.” (Note: KHS played in the Pauls Valley Tournament beginning Friday, after press time of this edition.)
Kingfisher collected eight hits in the game, three of them off the bat of sophomore Liliana Garramone.
She singled in the first, third and fifth innings.
Her last hit drove in Adlee Friesen, who led off the inning with a double.
That was the second hit of the game for Friesen, also a sophomore.
KHS got its initial run in the fourth.
Kinlee East got the inning started with a leadoff double and later scored on a single to left by Jancee Matthews.
Addi Wilson had the team’s other hit.
Overall, Kingfisher had five errors in the game, which resulted in five unearned runs for the Lady Bronchos.
Freshman Lily Voth got the start and threw 1 2/3 innings. She surrendered eight hits and seven runs, six of which were earned.
East entered with two outs in the second inning.
She pitched the final 3 1/3 innings and gave up five hits. Five of the eight runs she gave up were earned.
The game was a District 4A-1 matchup for both teams.
KHS returns home Tuesday to host Weatherford, last year’s district champion that returns two of the top players in the class.
The Lady Jackets will host the Highway 33 Classic beginning Thursday.