grove city alumni softball tournament








A brief rainshower was welcomed by Enid’s softball team on the first day of workouts Monday morning at Pacer Field.

“It’s been getting up to 108 for our summer games, so it was a good way to start off practice,’’ said Pacers coach Lee Linsenmeyer. “We got a little wet, but other than that it went pretty well.’’

The Pacers went 10-2 in a Tulsa summer league and won all 18 games against smaller school competition in its own summer league.

However, there were no formal practices to go along with the strength and conditioning drills the team had twice a week during the off season.

“We did a lot of teaching stuff, some of the boring stuff,’’ Linsenmeyer said about the first practice. “Once we get it going, we’ll put in some more things.’’

The team will have nine scrimmages in three-game implements at Putnam City North, Aug. 5 (Westmoore, Putnam City and Norman); Owasso, Aug. 8; and Yukon, Aug. 10 before opening the season at Putnam City North Aug. 13 with the Lady Panthers and Moore.

Linsenmeyer was “pretty pleased’’ with how the team did over the summer. Both losses at Tulsa came on “mental mistakes,’’ in the last inning.

The Pacers beat “some teams I would rate in the top 10,’’ in Tulsa, Linsenmeyer said.

“Some of the younger girls surprised me,’’ he said. “ I was not thinking any of them would be able to help us on the varsity level, but now I think some of the younger girls can.’’

The conditioning and strength workout drew a large percentage of the players.

“I think we’ll benefit from that a lot,’’ Linsenmeyer said.

The top priority of the preseason is to find a replacement for pitcher Alex Jones, who struck out 1,043 batters in her illustrious career. She is now at the University of Kansas.

She hit a school record .643 as a senior, stealing 45 bases.

Linsenmeyer’s current plan is by committee with returnees Ty Washington, Regan Crowl and Baily Jones. Sophomore Brooke Benge could figure in the rotation if she can come back from a broken wrist and fractured ankle.

“We don’t have that one pitcher who can just shut everyone out,’’ Linsenmeyer said. “We want to get four strong innings from somebody and then throw somebody else three innings. All three of these girls can give batters different looks. That will help us to keep the opposition off balance.’’

EHS returns All-Centennial Conference performers Hayley Hudson at third and Kaleena Castor at short. Washington was an all-conference outfielder.

Catcher-outfielder Chantel Bay and outfielders Brittany Havens and Courtney Goodwin have starting experience as well.

“I think defense is going to be a real strength for us,’’ Linsenmeyer.

Goodwin, Meghann Bennett and Kenda Case will get a look at second base.

“We’re probably as deep at every position since I’ve been here,’’ Linsenmeyer said. “We have had good players at every position before, but we haven’t had as strong as backups as we do now. We have a strong backup at every position now.’’

The JV team will have a Centennial Conference festival Aug. 12.

Kara Toigo is the only returning assistant coach. Bridget Davis has joined the staff as a high school assistant. Danielle Hinkley is the new junior high coach. Longtime assistant Donna Bunch has retired from coaching. Mandy Jones has gone to Grove with her husband Will.

Baily Jones is playing in the 18-under nationals this week in Florida. Hudson will participate in the 18-under Gold Nationals at Oklahoma City’s Hall of Fame Stadium beginning Aug. 3.


A brief rainshower was welcomed by Enid’s softball team on the first day of workouts Monday morning at Pacer Field.

“It’s been getting up to 108 for our summer games, so it was a good way to start off practice,’’ said Pacers coach Lee Linsenmeyer. “We got a little wet, but other than that it went pretty well.’’

The Pacers went 10-2 in a Tulsa summer league and won all 18 games against smaller school competition in its own summer league.

However, there were no formal practices to go along with the strength and conditioning drills the team had twice a week during the off season.

“We did a lot of teaching stuff, some of the boring stuff,’’ Linsenmeyer said about the first practice. “Once we get it going, we’ll put in some more things.’’

The team will have nine scrimmages in three-game implements at Putnam City North, Aug. 5 (Westmoore, Putnam City and Norman); Owasso, Aug. 8; and Yukon, Aug. 10 before opening the season at Putnam City North Aug. 13 with the Lady Panthers and Moore.

Linsenmeyer was “pretty pleased’’ with how the team did over the summer. Both losses at Tulsa came on “mental mistakes,’’ in the last inning.

The Pacers beat “some teams I would rate in the top 10,’’ in Tulsa, Linsenmeyer said.

“Some of the younger girls surprised me,’’ he said. “ I was not thinking any of them would be able to help us on the varsity level, but now I think some of the younger girls can.’’

The conditioning and strength workout drew a large percentage of the players.

“I think we’ll benefit from that a lot,’’ Linsenmeyer said.

The top priority of the preseason is to find a replacement for pitcher Alex Jones, who struck out 1,043 batters in her illustrious career. She is now at the University of Kansas.

She hit a school record .643 as a senior, stealing 45 bases.

Linsenmeyer’s current plan is by committee with returnees Ty Washington, Regan Crowl and Baily Jones. Sophomore Brooke Benge could figure in the rotation if she can come back from a broken wrist and fractured ankle.

“We don’t have that one pitcher who can just shut everyone out,’’ Linsenmeyer said. “We want to get four strong innings from somebody and then throw somebody else three innings. All three of these girls can give batters different looks. That will help us to keep the opposition off balance.’’

EHS returns All-Centennial Conference performers Hayley Hudson at third and Kaleena Castor at short. Washington was an all-conference outfielder.

Catcher-outfielder Chantel Bay and outfielders Brittany Havens and Courtney Goodwin have starting experience as well.

“I think defense is going to be a real strength for us,’’ Linsenmeyer.

Goodwin, Meghann Bennett and Kenda Case will get a look at second base.

“We’re probably as deep at every position since I’ve been here,’’ Linsenmeyer said. “We have had good players at every position before, but we haven’t had as strong as backups as we do now. We have a strong backup at every position now.’’

The JV team will have a Centennial Conference festival Aug. 12.

Kara Toigo is the only returning assistant coach. Bridget Davis has joined the staff as a high school assistant. Danielle Hinkley is the new junior high coach. Longtime assistant Donna Bunch has retired from coaching. Mandy Jones has gone to Grove with her husband Will.

Baily Jones is playing in the 18-under nationals this week in Florida. Hudson will participate in the 18-under Gold Nationals at Oklahoma City’s Hall of Fame Stadium beginning Aug. 3.