Elgin Lady Owls win play-in series, advances to regional tourney

ELGIN – Winning the best two of three games was the goal, and that’s what happened Saturday as the Elgin Lady Owls swept a pair from Sulphur to advance to next week’s Class 4A regional tournament in Weatherford.

Elgin defeated Sulphur 7-1 in the first game and then exploded for 14 runs in a runaway matchup to win a play-in series. Elgin finished fourth in District 4A-4 with a 9-5 district mark.

Fourth- and fifth-place district teams are required to compete in a cross-over play-in series to qualify for the regional tournament.

“I’m very proud of them. They executed all of the little things very well,” Elgin head coach Levi Garrett said. “Everybody is doing their part to make things go offensively, and the pitchers set the tone for the day.”

Leading 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, Elgin pushed across five runs to seal the first win. Two singles, three Sulphur errors, two hit batters and a sacrifice fly allowed the Lady Owls to score the five runs. Mikayla Arnold, Kelby Carter, Cora Holmgren, Jordan Johnson and Keylee Ranabarger all had RBI hits.

Senior Jordan Johnson pitched seven innings, allowing one earned run on six hits while striking out six Sulphur hitters and walking one.

The second game was a runaway affair as Elgin tallied three runs in the top of the second inning, added another run in the top of the fourth and then exploded for six in the top of the fifth. Braisley Wilson had a solid day at the plate as she had four hits in four at-bats, including a solo home run in the fourth inning. Wilson also singled in the second, fifth and sixth innings to account for her four RBIs. She also scored two runs in the game.

Johnson also had two hits in four at-bats, two RBIs and scored twice in the deciding play-in game. Holmgren had a big game with three hits.

Pitcher Dez Monoessy was credited with the win as she pitched six innings and allowed zero earned runs on five hits while striking out five Sulphur hitters.

Elgin, which defeated Lawton Mac 18-0 on Sept. 29, enters the regional tournament with a 26-9 record. Elgin will play Weatherford, 25-6 overall and 11-1 in district, in the first round, while Plainview takes on Perkins-Tryon in the other first-round game. Game times will be available Monday.