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Oklahoma high school slowpitch softball: Top storylines, players to watch in 2026 season

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Oklahoma high school slowpitch softball: Top storylines, players to watch in 2026 season


The 2026 Oklahoma high school slowpitch softball season is upon us.

Programs with rich histories — such as Dale, Mustang and Washington — return to the field eager to add more hardware to their collection. Meanwhile, other teams like Deer Creek, Guthrie and McLoud continue to chase unfinished business and secure a first-state slowpitch title.

With the 2026 high school slowpitch season underway, here are a few notable storylines and 10 OKC-area players to watch:

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Top storylines

Mustang aiming to win second softball title of 2025-26 season. Lacy Darity and the Broncos were finally able to get over the hump last fall. After nearly a decade of competing deep into the postseason, Mustang won its first state fastpitch title since 2017. A thrilling 17-12 loss to Choctaw in the 6A slowpitch state title game last spring fueled the Broncos entering the fall. The Broncos have talent loaded through the roster and have opened the season undefeated at 6-0 while defeating teams by 10.5 runs on average. Stars such as Alexis Kierstead, Rylann Beeson and River Mount continue to shine this spring.

Washington looking to win third straight state softball title. There’s another team looking to add to its dominant championship streak. Fresh off of slowpitch and fastpitch titles in 2025, Washington continues to be one of the top softball programs statewide. Tylor Lampkins’ Warriors have opened the season 7-0 while shutting out its last five opponents in Class 5A. They’re chasing the program’s 15th state slowpitch title, powered by a star trio of Julie Hoehner, Emersyn Massey and Ava Salcedo, with Kelby Beller in the circle.

Can Dale pull off a repeat? 19th-year coach Andy Powell is no stranger to success. His Dale Pirates have dominated both 2A in fastpitch and 4A in slowpitch for the last five seasons. Dale has opened the season 5-0 and recently shutout Little Axe 23-0 in the opening week of the season. The team has one of the best batting lineups in Oklahoma. With stars such as Kinley Patten, Kinsley Hill, Teague Muncy and Heartly Snyder still on the roster, there’s a strong chance that Dale will be back competing in the state tournament in Shawnee this May.

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Players to watch in the Oklahoma high school slowpitch season

Kandace Burnett, Jr., Southmoore: The Sabercats are fresh off a state tournament appearance a year ago and have made noise so far in 2026. They’ve jumped out to an 5-2 start thanks to Burnett’s efforts, who recently signed with Iowa State.

Payton Carrillo, Sr., Choctaw: The Yellowjackets have been one of the best teams in Class 6A since Carrillo arrived. She led Choctaw to its first-ever slowpitch state title in May after batting .736 at the plate with 35 home runs and 92 RBIs on 67 hits last season.

Boo Herber, Sr., Dale: A transfer from Carney, the South Carolina signee has been one of the best pitchers across the state and led Dale to a state tournament appearance in the fall.

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Julie Hoehner, Sr., Washington: Hoehner has been one of the best hitters in the OKC-metro dating back to her junior season, helping spark a seven-game win streak for Washington to open the season.

Payton Jackson, Sr., Pryor: Jackson played an integral role as the lead-off hitter for Pryor in the fall and is back for me this spring. She hit .466 on the year with 46 runs scored, 27 RBIs and 18 stolen bases during the fastpitch season.

Alexis Kierstead, Sr., Mustang: Kierstead has guided the Broncos to the state tournament in each of her seasons at Mustang, yet again headlining their efforts at the plate.

Ryn McCormick, Jr., Guthrie: McCormick continues to shine for the Bluejays after leading the program back to the state tournament in the fall. She recently batted .333 a week ago with nine hits, six RBIs and three stolen bases.

Reese Poage, Sr., Mustang: The OSU softball signee spearheaded the Broncos’ efforts in the fall en route to a stat title and is one of the top batters in Class 6A again.

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Ava Salcedo, Jr., Washington: Salcedo is off to a strong junior season and helped guide Washington to a Class 3A state fastpitch title in the fall.

Braylee Spence, Jr., Lone Grove: Spence stands as one of the best pitchers in the state after guiding Lone Grove to its fourth state championship in five years in the fall. This spring will mark Lone Grove’s first slowpitch season in program history.

Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @thejordancdavis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com



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Every Oklahoma State Cowboys’ College Football 27 Preseason Player Rating

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Every Oklahoma State Cowboys’ College Football 27 Preseason Player Rating


Since the return of EA Sports’ iconic college football game, its release has become a summer rite of passage.

It’s not just because gamers like the game or because players like the game. Since its return post-NIL, players can be themselves in the game. They get a small cut through an NIL agreement, and they can play the game with them and their teammates in it. Plus, EA Sports has made a commitment to making its player ratings as realistic as possible.

For those reasons and a host of others, the game’s popularity has soared far beyond an initial surge over pent-up demand when the game was shelved.

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But it isn’t just the stars that get player ratings. Yes, those players get plenty of attention. But now every player that agrees to be in the game is in the game and gets a player rating. For Oklahoma State, that’s more than 70 players that are in the game and have player ratings.

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With the game in wide release on Thursday, let’s dive into how each player is ranked.

Every OSU Player’s CFB 27 Player Rating

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Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

EA Sports gives every player that is in the game an overall score, which is from 0 to 100. Those scores are based in part on six separate categories that also receive scores — speed, strength, agility, awareness, change of direction, injury and awareness. Those individual scores don’t add up to 100 and other factors go into the overall scores.

Going into the season just two Oklahoma State players have overall player ratings of 90 or better — running back Caleb Hawkins (91) and wide receiver Wyatt Young (90). Quarterback Drew Mestemaker is just outside that percentile at 89. Those scores can change during the season based on a variety of factors, including actual game play.

For now, here is the rating for every OSU player in the College Football 27 game:

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RB Caleb Hawkins: 91

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WR Wyatt Young: 90

QB Drew Mestemaker: 89

LB Ethan Wesloski: 87

CB Mo Horn: 86

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EDGE James Williams: 84

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WR Justin Bowick: 83

RB Ayo Adeyi: 82

WR Chris Barnes: 82

WR Miles Coleman: 82

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OG Johnny Dickson III: 81

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OT Braydon Nelson: 80

TE Donovan Green: 80

LB Isaiah Chisom: 80

WR Israel Polk: 80

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FS Christian Bodnar: 79

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OG Jacob Sexton: 79

SS Evan Jackson: 78

DT Jerry Lawson: 78

WR Rodney Harris II: 78

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EDGE Braylon Rigsby: 77

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DT Enai White: 77

DT Fatafehi Vailea II: 77

EDGE Jaleel Johnson: 77

TE Oscar Hammond: 77

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DT Saadiq Clements: 77

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OT Joseph Hanson: 76

WR Kam Powell: 76

CB LaDainian Fields: 76

EDGE Landon Dean: 76

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OG Louie Canepa: 76

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FS Mose Phillips III: 76

SS Cameron Epps: 75

RB KD Jones: 75

RB Tre Page III: 75

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FS Vincent Holmes: 75

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OT Ashton Lepo: 74

EDGE DeSean Brown: 74

DT Dominic Macon: 74

CB Kollin Lewis: 74

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EDGE Malik Charles: 74

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EDGE Rashod Bradley: 74

EDGE Billy Walton III: 73

EDGE Keviyan Huddleston: 73

SS Quinton Hammonds: 73

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K Sam Keltner: 73

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CB Trudell Berry: 73

RB William Mason: 73

LB Carl’veon Young: 72

CB Kobi Foreman: 72

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LB Tate Romney: 72

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LT Shaun Torgeson: 71

WR Terrence Lewis: 71

TE Bodie Boydstun: 70

LB Jack Puckett: 70

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LB Trip White: 70

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LB Dallas Winner-Johnson: 69

OG Desmond Magiya: 69

WR Jabarie Thornton: 69

P Lachie Pozzobon: 69

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CB Marrel Davis III: 69

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OG Miguel Chavez: 69

C Tyler Mercer: 69

QB Grant Jordan: 68

C Jakobe Sanders: 68

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OT Kai Holec: 68

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LB Taurean Davis: 68

SS Braeden Presley: 67

QB Broderick Vehrs: 66

EDGE DJ Jackson Jr.:65

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TE Caden Yates: 64

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LB Gunnar Wilson: 64

C Isaiah Bowman: 56

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Oklahoma’s Brent Venables named to 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason watch list

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Oklahoma’s Brent Venables named to 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason watch list


The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. have announced the preseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy, recognizing 20 college football head coaches from across the Power Four conferences, the Pac-12 and one independent program.

The annual award honors the head coach whose program exemplifies success on the field while promoting scholarship, leadership and integrity, the three principles that defined legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s philosophy.

Oklahoma’s Brent Venables among nominees

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is one of six Southeastern Conference coaches included on this year’s watch list. Coaches became eligible after leading their current programs for at least two seasons and maintaining an Academic Progress Rate (APR) above the national average of 971.

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The selection committee also considered each program’s Graduation Success Rate, community service efforts and projected performance during the 2026 season.

Coach School Conference APR (2024-25)
Bret Bielema Illinois Big Ten 988
Jeff Brohm Louisville ACC 972
Curt Cignetti Indiana Big Ten 989
Mario Cristobal Miami (FL) ACC 993
Spencer Danielson Boise State Pac-12 985
Ryan Day Ohio State Big Ten 1000
Kalen DeBoer Alabama SEC 1000
Sonny Dykes TCU Big 12 987
Mike Elko Texas A&M SEC 1000
Kirk Ferentz Iowa Big Ten 997
Jedd Fisch Washington Big Ten 991
Marcus Freeman Notre Dame Independent 1000
Willie Fritz Houston Big 12 989
Josh Heupel Tennessee SEC 993
Brent Key Georgia Tech ACC 997
Dan Lanning Oregon Big Ten 988
Lincoln Riley USC Big Ten 993
Steve Sarkisian Texas SEC 990
Kirby Smart Georgia SEC 981
Brent Venables Oklahoma SEC 997

Key facts

  • Twenty coaches were named to the preseason watch list.
  • Oklahoma’s Brent Venables included with a program APR of 997.
  • The Big Ten leads all conferences with seven coaches on the list.
  • Four previous Dodd Trophy winners are included.
  • Watch list coaches have combined for four national championships, 31 conference titles and 1,841 career victories.

What’s next for the award?

A midseason watch list will be released this fall and could expand or narrow the field. Finalists will be selected after the 2026 regular season by a panel that includes previous winners, national media members, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame representative.

The 2026 Dodd Trophy winner will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

We used AI tools to help with editing and formatting this story. A human journalist reviewed everything before publication.

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Kip Lewis reveals why he returned to Oklahoma for senior season

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Kip Lewis reveals why he returned to Oklahoma for senior season


Kip Lewis returning for his redshirt senior season with the Oklahoma Sooners was one of the biggest wins of the offseason. Lewis has built an impressive career in Norman, racking up 209 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks with two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.

Beyond his production, Lewis has become one of the emotional leaders of the Oklahoma locker room. Although the NFL was an option, Lewis believed another season learning under Brent Venables would put him in the best position for long-term success.

In a video shared by Oklahoma, Lewis explained the factors that led him to return to Norman for another season.

“I talked to a lot of people,” Lewis said. “Mostly, my family and then my dad. He was just giving me key points that he felt like I should have come back… Mostly talked to a couple of my teammates like John (Mateer) and Isaiah (Sategna), getting their thoughts on what their plan was. I asked Danny (Stutsman) for advice. Talked to him for a little bit. Advice from Danny really stood out to me.”

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Getting advice from Stutsman likely played a significant role in Lewis’ decision. Stutsman was in a similar position following a strong 2023 season. Stutsman elected to return to Norman in 2024 and had another strong individual season. That resulted in him being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Lewis’ decision to return gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced and talented linebackers in the country for another season. By following the same path as Stutsman, Lewis is betting on development and another opportunity to improve his draft stock.

If he continues to lead at the level he has throughout his career, his final season in Norman could be the one that cements him as one of the top defensive players in college football.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.

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