The Preston Lady Pirates faced tough competition in recent scrimmages, highlighting areas for improvement as they gear up for the upcoming season. On Tuesday, at Carl Albert State College Vikings, they encountered formidable opponents in the Tahlequah Tigers and Durant, resulting in two challenging matchups.

— Preston battles Tigers in 5-0 loss

In their first scrimmage, the Lady Pirates struggled to match the offensive firepower of Tahlequah, ultimately falling short with a final score of 5-0. The Tigers took an early lead in the first inning when Gracee Byrd smashed a solo home run to left field. Despite a solid defensive effort by Preston, who committed no errors throughout the game, they couldn’t overcome Tahlequah’s strong start. Pitcher Taylan Starr showcased her skills, striking out six batters over four innings while allowing four hits and one run. Offensively, Kynlee Martin stood out with a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate.

— Lady Pirates fall 3-1 to Durant

In their second scrimmage, Preston faced Du- rant in a tightly contested game that ended with a walk-off hit favoring Durant, resulting in a 3-1 defeat for the Lady Pirates. The game was tied at one until the bottom of the fifth inning when Durant capitalized on key hits to secure the win. Josie Cope and the Preston pitching staff showed resilience, limiting Durant’s offense, but ultimately fell short in the later innings. Brooklyn Gertner contributed offensively with a crucial RBI, while Kynlee Martin continued her strong performance with two hits in two at-bats.

– The scrimmages provided valuable insights for Coach Jimmy Hurst and the Lady Pirates as they fine-tune their strategies and prepare to start the season. With a focus on refining both offensive and defensive aspects, Preston looks forward to showcasing their potential in upcoming matches.

These scrimmages serve as crucial learning opportunities for the team as they aim to build momentum and achieve success in the upcoming season.