Kaylee Davis and Tessa Spivey

Writers

Entering the 2023 season in full swing, the Lady Outlaws softball team is determined to stay resilient in the face of adversity.

Last year marked the first year for the Lady Outlaws to face 4A competition, making the jump from 3A. 

The Lady Outlaws have worked to improve postseason 2022 and are still looking ahead to that hard work paying off on the field. They played their first game of the season on Aug. 7 against the Walters Blue Devils.

Although the game resulted in the Lady Outlaws losing 14-0, it allowed the team to place even greater focus on how they will achieve their plans for becoming a cohesive team this season.

One person that believes that the girls are fully capable of achieving these plans for this new year is assistant coach Julie McCauley.

“Our record does not necessarily reflect the team’s potential,” McCauley said. “We are young this year and still trying to figure things out, but the girls’ effort and attitude are amazing. There are always ways to improve individually and as a team. However, as a whole, I think we could improve offensively.”

Moving deeper into their season, the Lady Outlaws competed in their second game of the season on Aug. 8 against the Tuttle Tigers, taking the loss 7-0.   

This game served as the Lady Outlaws first home game of the season, allowing easier access for community members to attend.

Senior Kenlee Wilson has played softball for 14 years and plays as third base for the team.

“I think the softball team gets a good amount of support from the community,” Wilson expressed. “We  have a great group that supports us unconditionally, and I think the softball team plays better when we have a bunch of support.”

For the third game, the Lady Outlaws traveled to Harrah to compete against the Harrah Panthers and resulted in a loss of 2-1 for the Lady Outlaws. 

The Lady Outlaws played their fourth game against the Elgin Wildcats, ending with a loss of 13-6 for the girls.

Each game played allows for each player to find a way to better than she was the game before including sophomore Lakyn Foss, who performed very well against the Wildcats.

Foss has played softball since she was six years old and plans to spend this season focused on practicing and improving as a teammate.

“I almost hit a ball over the fence at Elgin,” Foss explained. “I have played well this season and will improve by practicing everyday.”

The softball team played their sixth game and third home game on Aug. 17, hosting the Newcastle Racers.

The Lady Outlaws lost with a score of 11-1, but despite the loss, the Lady Outlaws were uplifted by the tremendous support from the community.

The MHS Bootleggers visited the game in order to support the softball team, one of these members being Sophomore Kory Scott.

“We came to show school spirit,” Scott stated. “We wanted to support the softball team and our senior Alisha Lemons.” 

Lemons has played for the softball team at Marlow since her freshman year and believes the team has potential for the season ahead.

“We have definitely had our ups and downs, but we have already improved as a team,” Lemons said. “I hope to get closer to the girls on the team and get over all obstacles through practice and team bonding.”

The girls have grown already since the start of the season and will only continue to get better as they head further into the season.

The Lady Outlaws will continue their season at a tournament hosted by Lindsay High School.  Games will be held at the Lindsay softball fields and run from Aug. 24-26.

The tournament will be held at the Lindsay softball fields and be hosted by Lindsay High School.