The Preston Lady Pirates launched their 2025-26 fastpitch softball campaign with an impressive 12-4 extra-inning road victory over the Pawhuska Lady Huskies on Tuesday, sparked by a dominant performance at the plate by senior standout Kynlee Martin.

Martin went 3-for-5 on the day, collecting key singles in the first, third and pivotal eighth inning. Her offensive momentum helped ignite an explosive eight-run rally in the top of the eighth that broke a 4-4 tie and sealed the win for the Lady Pirates.

— Eighth-Inning Eruption With the game knotted after seven innings, Preston’s lineup came alive in the eighth. Ashleigh Hurt and Kristin Holuby delivered back-to-back RBI singles to begin the scoring surge. Martin followed with a clutch two-run single, giving Preston breathing room. Josie Cope added another RBI single before Brooklyn Gertner blasted a two-run double into the outfield gap. A wild pitch brought in one final run, bringing the total to eight runs in the inning.

— Early Action & Momentum Swings

The Lady Pirates took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Josie Cope doubled home a run. They added two more in the third on a sacrifice fly by Martin and an RBI single from Aiyana Beaver to go up 3-0.

Pawhuska answered with a four-run bottom of the fourth. Their rally was powered by a two-run single, an RBI single, and a run-scoring groundout to briefly take a 4-3 lead.

Preston tied the game in the top of the fifth with a sacrifice fly from Alynn LeBlanc, setting the stage for the dramatic finish in extras.

— Pitching Breakdown

Taylan Starr started in the circle for Preston, allowing four hits and four runs across four innings, striking out four and walking two. Josie Cope came on in relief and earned the win, tossing four scoreless innings while giving up just four hits and striking out one.

Pawhuska took the loss after allowing 12 hits and 11 runs (nine earned) over 7.1 innings.

— Offensive Highlights

The Preston bats were sharp, piling up 14 total hits:

• Kynlee Martin: 3-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored

• Josie Cope: 2 RBIs, win in relief

• Brooklyn Gertner: 2-run double

• Alynn LeBlanc: 2 RBIs including a key sac fly

• Olivia Beaver & Sophia Bunner: Each collected multiple hits Preston also turned one double play on defense. — Looking Ahead

The Lady Pirates will look to continue their winning momentum on Friday as they travel to face Bristow. With a strong offensive showing and resilient pitching, the Preston squad appears poised for a competitive season.