WARR ACRES – Putnam City’s softball team has a new leader as the Lady Pirates try and rebuild their program.

The Lady Pirates’ new coach is Brooklyn Sparkman, who played collegiately at Southern Nazarene. Sparkman went 34-18 in the pitcher’s circle for the Crimson Storm from 2019-2021. She pitched for Northern Oklahoma College-Enid from 2017-2018, going 29-20.

The Kingfisher native hopes to use her experience to improve her team.

“As this is my first year in this program, we are really looking forward to changing the culture of Putnam City Softball and I have a great group of girls who are excited to build this program from the ground up,” Sparkman told West Metro Sports.

Putnam City has sophomore catcher Francis Meza returning as well as two sophomore pitchers and utility players in Tessalyn Goodner and Maece Bourbonnais.

Sophomore Samantha Tidmore, a catcher and utility player, also figures to make an impact, according to Sparkman.

Putnam City went 3-21 last season under Shavon Prince. Jamie Gatz led PC to a 16-16 record in 2020. Original’s last season above .500 was in 2015 when Sarah Ligon led the Lady Pirates to a 21-14 mark.

The Lady Pirates open the season Thursday (Aug. 15) at Owasso at 6 p.m.