Stroud, NRC, Dale advance to regionals
Stroud, Dale and North Rock Creek won district slow pitch championships last week and moved into the regional tournaments. If they win or finish second in their regionals, they will advance to state. The 18-4 Lady Tigers play Washington at Washington at 1 p.m. Thursday in their Class 4A regional. Coalgate and Latta meet in the other first-round game. Dale, which is 35-2 and has won the last four state championships, will host a 4A regional and will face Hobart at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Pocola and Amber-Pocasset meet in the other game. North Rock Creek,which is in its first-ever slow pitch season, will go to Sulphur to play Cache in the first round. North Rock Creek is 24-7 and in Class 5A. Pictured at the top, Stroud shortstop Skyla Baker makes a diving grab that she turned into a force out at second. Above left, North Rock Creek celebrates as Olivia VanAntwerp double-stomps home plate following her second home run against Newcastle. Above right, Chandler coach Bryan Herring low-fives Jaelynn Robertson after she homered against Stroud. Photos/Brian Blansett