Calle Cox’s previous two swings had the power but drifted into foul territory in left field – but it was only a matter of time.
On the next pitch, Cox straightened things out and soared the ball over the center-field wall to extend the Lady Pioneer softball team’s lead against Edmond Santa Fe in the third inning.
“The part that was good for Callie tonight is she hit the ball where it was pitched,” Stillwater coach Karie Linsenmeyer said. “And that’s going to be a good night.”
A good night it was for Cox, who hit two home runs and helped lead the Lady Pioneers to a 13-1 win against the Wolves in five innings Tuesday night at Couch Park. Stillwater (7-1 overall, 3-1 district) is at the top of District 6A-3.
“I just think that we came out and did what we are capable of doing, just staying focused and getting the job done,” Linsenmeyer said. “We’re not too concerned about giving up runs. Obviously we don’t want to give up a lot of runs, but that’s not a problem. It’s managing it. And our pitchers’ jobs are to keep us in the ballgame. And the way they do that is throw strikes. … Just keep it close enough and let our bats do the job.”
That’s been the key to Stillwater’s fast start to the season. Since a 3-1 loss at Norman in the season opener, the Lady Pioneers have reeled off seven consecutive wins and scored at least six runs in each outing.
During Stillwater’s game Monday night at Mustang, sophomore pitcher Grace Tonga struggled early before sophomore Saisalui Kolone came in and kept the Lady Pioneers in the game. Stillwater went on to win, 9-6, in extra innings.
Tonga started at the mound again Tuesday, and this time she dominated, allowing one run in a complete outing. So far this season, and again against Edmond Santa Fe on Tuesday, Linsenemyer said the pitching staff has done what it needs to do – limit walks and throw strikes.
“They’re just gonna have to do that and just keep us close,” Linsenmeyer said.
The next pitch after Cox’s third-inning homer, sophomore Michelle Kolone rocketed a home run of her own and gave the Lady Pioneers a 4-1 lead after three.
The landslide really began in the fourth. Stillwater quickly tacked on three runs, then Cox hit her second home run of the night, this one for two more runs.
On Monday night, Michelle Kolone hit two home runs, and so did Saisalui Kolone.
“It was (Cox’s) turn,” Linsenmeyer said.
But the whole offense took a turn putting the ball in play against the Wolves. Stillwater scored nine runs in the fourth inning and put the game out of reach and in position for an early ending.
“Obviously home runs are fun, but we just want to hit the ball,” Linsenmeyer said. “We want to hit line drives, pick good pitches, hit the ball where it’s pitched.”
That’s the game Linsenmeyer wants the team to play, and it’s resulted in a nice start to the season. And when Tonga and the pitching staff can have an outing like the one Tuesday, too, the Lady Pioneers are a tough out.
“I think that we’re doing a really good job,” Linsenmeyer said. “We’re just staying confident, we’re calm and just doing what the game gives us. You give us seven innings, we’re gonna score some runs, typically.”
Stillwater is back in action at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Couch Park in a district matchup against Deer Creek (5-1 overall, 2-0 district).