Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat The Durant Lady Lions softball team will have its first home game of the season Aug. 14 with McAlester. Durant Softball 2025 Schedule Aug. 12 Pryor Festival Away TBA Aug. 14 McAlester Home 5 p.m. Aug. 15-16 Broken Arrow Tourney Away TBA Aug. 18 Tishomingo Away 5 p.m. Aug. 22 Murray State Festival Away TBA Aug. 25 Shawnee Home 5 p.m. Aug. 26 Shawnee Away 5 p.m. Aug. 28 Tahlequah Away 5 p.m. Sept. 2 Del City (doubleheader) Home 5 p.m. Sept. 4-5 Duncan Tourney Away TBA Sept. 8 Dickson,Antlers Home 5 p.m. Sept. 11-13 Durant Tournament Home TBA Sept. 15 Coweta Home 5 p.m. Sept. 16 Tahlequah Home 5 p.m. Sept. 18 Caddo Home 5 p.m. Sept. 22 McAlester Away 5 p.m. Sept. 23 Latta,Valliant Home 5 p.m. Sept. 25 Coweta Away 5 p.m. Sept. 27 Northeastern Festival Away TBA Sept. 30 Sulphur Home 5 p.m. Oct. 3 Bixby Festival Away TBA Oct. 6 Broken Bow Home 5 p.m. Durant Lady Lion softball player Kenzee Petty hits the ball during a recent practice before the start of the season. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat The Durant Lady Lions softball team will have its first home game of the season Aug. 14 with McAlester.
After seeing a string of Class 5A state tournament appearances snapped a year ago, the Durant Lady Lions are back and focused to begin another streak as the fastpitch softball season begins next week.
Coach Jimmie Wyrick returns several key players along with several newcomers, but has already seen the injury bug strike after severely hampering the DHS effort last season.
Shortstop Ajonay Samuel was lost for the year with an offseason ACL injury and returning infielder Kenzee Petty was sidelined with a broken ankle during preseason drills. The Durant skipper is hopeful that Petty can return however by the later part of September to aid in a playoff push.
“We have quite a few back that saw varsity action last year but have had a couple of key injuries hinder us a bit on the infield,” Wyrick commented. “We have had a little time to adjust though and get some other players work in those spots. We have a lot that are capable and have shown some tremendous flashes, they just need to get more experience.”
Experience shouldn’t be a problem in the all-important pitching circle where sophomore Emma Sherrer returns to lead the way with a full year of seasoning under her belt. A season ago, Sherrer was thrust into the ace role and had to learn under fire while posting a 7-11 record and 4.36 earned run average. She struck out 59 in 99-plus innings.
Senior Daryan Eubanks will add a change of pace in the circle with a little different style and there are also high hopes for the developing freshman Kenzie Trotter, who could be a key hurler by season’s end.
“Emma will be a lot better this year,” Wyrick said. “She has improved her repertoire and knows what to expect. Daryan has a more sling pitching style that isn’t seen much anymore and Kenzie is going to be a really good one for us in her career. She is smart and eager and should help us as the season progresses.”
On the infield, Anslee Morse is expected to fill the role as starting shortstop while looking to add to her .281 average as a full-time bat in the order. She has good speed and was one of the club’s top base stealers last season with seven.
Mia Ibarra will move into a starting slot at either second or third base with Brynn Ritenour filling the other position. Ritenour finished with the top batting average on the squad at .375 with seven runs batted in in 40 at bats.
One of the three pitching candidates will step in at first base when they aren’t in the circle with Sherrer adding the biggest bat after notching a .316 average with five extra base hits and 11 RBI in her first high school campaign.
A critical spot will be catcher where the Lady Lions will have to replace a four-year fixture after the graduation of Lylith Harris, who manned that position for her entire career.
Freshman Ryan Uber, Harper Plymale and Alli Pratt are all vying for time in that position and possess good skills and talent.
Seniors Kaitlen Rush and Ava Booth will be keys in the outfield along with Korbyn Robinson, Pratt, Maggie Martin and Lola Henry all challenging for time. Robinson hit .259 with a pair of doubles and 12 batted in as a regular last year.
Expectations are also high for freshman Dasia Lewis, whose sister Destinee starred for the Lady Lions at the plate during her high school career. She will provide solid pop in the middle of the order and likely fill the role as the squad’s designated hitter this year.
“We are looking for more stability on the infield this year, but we like the group we have,” Wyrick said. “We have the puzzle pieces there but just have to find the right combination. Kenzie was consistently on base for us last year and we’re going to need someone to fill that role. Our youngsters just need to continue to trust themselves as well as their teammates.
“We should have the same mix offensively. We’ll need timely hits and be able to play small ball when we need to. We are looking for hard hit balls up the middle and force opposing teams into miscues. I think we are more patient at the plate this year and have better strike zone discipline. They have a better understanding of offensive strategy I believe. We should also be quicker on the bases.”
One of the first factors in returning to the Class 5A state tournament is likely hosting a regional, which could be a challenge with powerhouses Tahlequah and Coweta once again in the district. Tahlequah sports one of the best pitchers in the state in any class and Coweta graduated six starters but welcomed several transfers.
A challenging non-district slate should also get Durant prepared starting with a festival at Pryor next week.
“I think we can compete with Tahlequah and Coweta and challenge for one of those regional host spots,” Wyrick added. “We have another tough schedule and are going to have to be on our ‘A’ game most every day.
“The expectation is to not just go to state but compete to advance once we get there. The girls don’t feel the pressure but understand it. We are trying to practice at a 10 level, so we are ready to go when it comes time. If we can win 75 percent of our games, it will put us in a good position.”
