OKLAHOMA CITY – A four-run fifth inning was too much for Bethany to overcome as Class 6A defending state champs Southmoore beat the Lady Bronchos, 6-3, Saturday (Aug. 25) in the final day of the Oklahoma High School Fast Pitch Festival.

Trailing 1-0 in the third inning, junior Berkley Johnson was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Ella Davis laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Johnson to second base. Senior Ireland Riley singled and Johnson made it to third. Johnson scored on a groundout by junior Madison Bibbs to tie the game at 1-1.

The Sabercats got the run back in the fourth to make it 2-1 and had the big inning in the fifth, taking advantage of two errors, two singles and a double to open up a 6-1 lead.

Bethany wasn’t done, though. Riley singled to open the sixth. Bibbs doubled to left field, scoring Riley. Sophomore Jules Barger doubled to center, bringing home Bibbs.

Riley went 3-for-4 on the day. Bibbs added a 2-for-4 performance with two runs batted in. Barger went 2-for-3 with the other RBI.

“I think this tournament showed us our potential and what we need to do to be better,” Bethany coach Booker Blakley said via text. “Playing such quality competition really forces us to be on point with everything both large and small.

“I think these last three days should benefit us as we approach a district-heavy schedule this week.”

UP NEXT

Bethany (4-8, 1-1) hosts Clinton (3-7, 1-2) in a Class 4A District 1 matchup Monday (Aug. 26) at 5 p.m.

TEAM	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Bethany (4-8)	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	3	8	2
Southmoore (7-1)	1	0	0	1	4	0	X	6	7	0