By Clay Horning
Mike Bread and his Little Axe softball team didn't want to be in this position, having to win three games today to reach the Class 4A state tournament.
Yet on the other hand, it's the Indians' season-long success, the same thing that made Friday's regional split difficult to accept, that has Bread confident heading into today.
"I fully expect for us to come back and have a chance to win three games (today)," said the Little Axe coach. "These girls have worked too hard to just let it end now."
Playing at Pauls Valley a day earlier than originally scheduled, The Indians crushed Atoka 14-0 behind pitcher Devon Frazier's two-hit, 12-strikeout performance.
But the Indians erred in their nightcap with Newcastle. The Racers took advantage of three Little Axe errors to score five unearned runs and take a 7-0 decision.
Little Axe faces an elimination contest at 11 this morning against Pauls Valley. Win that one and they get Newcastle again. Win that one and they get Newcastle yet again with a trip to the state tournament on the line. Lose any of those games and the season's over.
Bread believes in his players.
"They're 24-5 and not used to getting beat," he said. "I think they're going to bow up and get after it (today)."
If Little Axe can pull it off, it's bound to get contributions from the same nucleus that produced such an outstanding regular season.
Shortstop Peyton Watson's one of those players. Wednesday, she went 2 for 3 against Atoka, one of the hits her third home run of the season. Also against Atoka, Lacey Williams added a double, two RBIs and three runs scored.
Frazier's been in the circle for every win.
The Indians should have every reason to believe they can still reach the state tourney. Ranked No. 4, three of their four losses have come to top 5 teams: Class 5A No. 1 Lawton MacArthur, Class 4A No. 2 Tuttle and Class 6A No. 4 Moore.
The toughest part of today may be dispatching the host Panthers, who earned homefield advantage in regional play with a 21-7 regular season and No. 9 ranking.
The Racers have gotten hot at the right time. But Little Axe still has a chance.
Clay Horning 366-3526 cfhorning@normantranscript.com
