SALLISAW LADY BLACK DIAMONDS SOFTBALL

By Payton Moody 

The Sallisaw Lady Black Diamonds softball team is gearing up for an exciting upcoming season with clear goals and a focus on building their program. Head coach Hillary Gehrke provided some insights into the team’s preparation, key players, strengths, challenges and their ambitions for the season ahead.

“The girls have worked hard all summer during summer pride, lifting weights and conditioning,” Gehrke said.

The team boasts several key returning players worth keeping an eye on. Gehrke highlighted Emma Lessley, the only senior on the team, along with Madison Green, a talented junior, and Sydney Weedon, a promising sophomore.

Among the notable newcomers, Gehrke mentioned two players who could make a significant impact on the team. “Freshman Channing Wilson will be a big hitter in the lineup and playing third base,” she said. “Additionally, Delaney Compton, a sophomore, has joined the team as a skilled pitcher.”

One of the team’s strengths is their cohesiveness. “They are a close team that works hard together,” Gehrke said, indicating a strong sense of camaraderie, on and off the field, within the group.

However, the team also faces challenges, particularly in terms of numbers and pitching options. According to Gehrke, “Having a roster that’s few in numbers and not many pitchers might pose a challenge throughout the season.”

Fans can anticipate exciting matchups, especially during the district games, which Gehrke emphasized are crucial for the team. These games will undoubtedly be significant and hotly contested.

The team hopes to build upon the standout performance from the last season when they won Bi-Districts and made it to the regional tournament, a significant achievement for the program. Gehrke noted that last year’s experience, with its ups and downs, strengthened the team’s chemistry and prepared them for the regional tournament.

As a coach, Gehrke is most excited to witness the growth and development of her young team. With only one senior and starting three freshmen and sophomores, the 2023 Lady Black Diamonds will be youthful, and she is eager to see them progress on and off the field.