Despite graduating five starters, including two All-Staters, Stroud’s Lady Tigers haven’t missed a beat this fast-pitch season.
They rolled through three games of the 66 Conference tournament Thursday and Saturday, beating Meeker 9-0, Seminole 7-4 and Chandler 11-5 to win the championship and establish themselves as contenders for a repeat trip to the Class 2A state tournament.
“I felt we had a really good core coming back,” said head coach Lezli Robinson. “I was a little uneasy about pitching because, obviously, when you lose an All-Stater you have a pretty big hole. “But that aspect of our game has been phenomenal.”
That’s due to the strong right arm of Jadyn Young, who took over in the circle this season from departed All-Stater Alyssa DeLeon.
She threw a no-hitter in the first round of the tournament Thursday against Meeker, then came back to throw 235 pitches in Saturday’s heat against Seminole and Chandler.
“Jadyn has solidified the spot,” Robinson said. “The offense knows she’s only going to give up a run or two per game, so the hitters can relax.”
A season ago, the Lady Tigers were 27-5 and made it to the first round of the state tournament before falling to eventual state runner-up Dale. Robinson said she believes the team can make it that far again.
“Maybe farther,” she said. “I have those thoughts. I think we can go back to the state tournament. I think that’s within reach.”