For the first time since 2012, the Deer Creek School softball team has qualified for the state tournament.
The Lady Warriors accomplished this feet by finishing runners-up in the Class A North State Tournament in Lake Providence, Louisiana.
“This sure means a lot to us,” Deer Creek Coach Rob Ballinger said. “The girls just kept playing hard and giving their absolute best. Making it to the state tournament has been a goal of theirs, and I am so proud of them for accomplishing this goal.”
Deer Creek begins its quest for a Class A state championship Saturday morning when it takes on Prarie View (La.) at 11 a.m. The tournament will take place at the Magee Sports Complex.
While making it to the state tournament was a total team effort for Deer Creek, Warrior coach Rob Ballinger said eighth grade pitcher Josie Azlin deserves extra credit because of the many fine pitching performances she had during the North A tournament.
Azlin was the winning pitcher in four games of the tournament.
After pitching the Warriors to two wins on the same day, Azlin finally ran out of gas in the championship game of the tournament against Briarfield, who many believe is the favorite to win the state championship.
“Josie did her best, and we could not have asked any more of her,” Coach Ballinger said.
Deer Creek’s Ashlee Sluder, Allie Bre Taylor and Katelyn Trotter also starred for the Lady Warriors during the North A Tournament. Taylor and Trotter drove in two runs each in Deer Creek’s victory over Calhoun and Sluder had seven total hits in the tournament.
“If we go out and play like we did this week, I expect us to have a chance in every game we play,” Coach Ballinger said.
