Tahlequah Lady Tigers Softball Preview – Presented by Junie’s Closet

TAHLEQUAH LADY TIGERS

Coach: CHRIS RAY

Last Year:  20-14

OUTLOOK

If you’re a fan of high school fastpitch, there’s reason to keep an eye on the Tahlequah Tigers this year, who have been to seven consecutive state tournaments. They finished two runs short of a 5A state semifinal appearance last year. “The Lady Tigers return six starters from last year’s state tournament qualifier,” head coach Chris Ray said. Pitcher Riley Dotson (Jr.), the defending district player of the year, is one of those returners. Dotson hit .450 last year while handling Tahlequah’s most important opponents in the circle.  “Riley took over the reins as our ace last year as a sophomore and led us back to the state tournament,” Ray said. “Riley is a well-rounded softball player who can pitch, hit it, field it and steal a base. She is the reigning 5A-4 player of the year. Amelia Miller (1B/C, Sr.) hit .454 for the year and will provide crucial veteran leadership in Tahlequah’s clubhouse. Syda Alley (3B, Jr.) and Alayna Stopp (2B, Jr.) will round out the team’s returning infield. Alley hit .213 while Stopp hit .280 as just sophomores on a state tournament run. Then a freshman, Holli Carnes (OF, So.) rose to the occasion and hit .300 for the year. “Joining these returning starters, Cadence Kirk (Jr.), Regan Jackson (So.), Adi Davis (Fr.), Raylee McCarter (Fr.) and Ella Watts (Fr.) look to step in and do their part to get Tahlequah to the 5A state tournament for the eighth consecutive season.”