Okmulgee County’s high school baseball and softball programs showed grit, firepower and determination in a full slate of weekend action. From Weston Cope’s slugging display for the Preston Pirates to Serenity Rex’s offensive explosion for the Henryetta Lady Knights, local athletes left their mark in a series of games that highlighted both talent and teamwork.

The weekend featured multiple shutouts, late-inning rallies and powerhouse offensive innings. Preston’s baseball team collected back-to-back wins behind timely hitting, the Lady Pirates found their edge in a pitcher’s duel, the Lady Knights overwhelmed Dewar with offensive and pitching dominance, the Morris Lady Eagles combined patience and speed to overwhelm Rejoice Christian and the Beggs Lady Demons split two games with flashes of brilliance at the plate.

— Pirates dominate at Dale

Cope leads charge against Colbert The Preston Pirates opened the weekend in convincing fashion Friday at Dale, blanking the Colbert Leopards 9-0 in a performance that combined power hitting and steady pitching.

Senior standout Weston Cope set the tone early, blasting a home run in the first inning that plated two runs and sent a clear message. He added another homer in the third inning, finishing the game with two long balls and four runs batted in. His power display electrified the Pirates’ dugout and provided the kind of early cushion a team craves in tournament play.

The opening frame was decisive, with Preston scoring five runs. Alongside Cope’s blast, Peyton Fjeldsted chipped in an RBI single, Jace Basquez tripled home another run and Nick Costanza singled to make it 5-0 before Colbert could settle in.

On the mound, Bryce McNac earned the win with five efficient innings. He limited Colbert to just four hits and one run while striking out four.

Colbert’s Eric Hokett provided the lone highlight for his team, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

• WP: Bryce McNac (5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 K, 4 BB)

• Preston Leaders: Weston Cope 3-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI; Tyler Stevenson 3-3, HR, RBI; Jace Basquez 2-3, 3B, RBI; Nick Costanza 2-3, RBI

• Colbert Leader: Eric Hokett 2-3, RBI — Late inning rally pushes Pirates past Latta

Less than 24 hours later, Preston returned to Dale and notched another victory, this time grinding out a 9-1 win over the Latta Panthers.

Unlike Friday’s slugfest, Saturday’s game was a pitcher’s duel for five innings. Latta struck first in the third inning when Landon Fortner delivered a sacrifice fly. Preston tied the game in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from McNac, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

The sixth inning saw the Pirates’ offense come alive. Preston erupted for eight runs, turning a tense battle into a decisive win. Tyler Stevenson provided the biggest blows, with two run-scoring singles in the frame. Hunter McElhannon doubled home two, while Kaden Dean drew a bases-loaded walk.

Karson Herbert controlled the game from the mound, throwing six innings of four-hit ball and striking out four.

• WP: Karson Herbert (6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 K, 2 BB)

• Preston Leaders: Tyler Stevenson 2-3, 3 RBI; Hunter McElhannon 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Bryce McNac SF RBI

• Latta Leader: Landon Fortner SF RBI — Lady Pirates grind out shutout Cope out-duels Bristow in 1-0 victory

Friday’s softball matchup between the Preston Lady Pirates and the Bristow Lady Pirates showcased just how dominant pitching can be.

Josie Cope was untouchable, striking out 12 Bristow hitters en route to a 1-0 shutout victory. The only run of the game came in the sixth inning, when Cope hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed the deciding score to cross home plate.

• WP: Josie Cope (7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 12 K)

• Preston Leaders: Josie Cope 1-3, RBI; Aiyana Beaver 1-3; Sophia Bunner 1-3; Taylan Starr 1-3 — Lady Knights sweep Dewar Rex powers Henryetta in blowout win The Henryetta Lady Knights wasted no time making a statement in their matchup with the Dewar Lady Dragons on Friday, cruising to a 15-0 rout.

Serenity Rex was the star of the game, going 3-for-3 with a home run, two doubles and five RBI.

• WP: Keegan Hamric (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K, 1 BB); Allie Davis (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K)

• Henryetta Leaders: Serenity Rex 3-3, HR, 2 2B, 5 RBI; Keegan Hamric 2-2, 2B, RBI; Maddie Rock 1-2, 2B, 3 RBI; Kynlee Wynne 1-2, 2 RBI

• Dewar Leader: Jaycie Berry 1-1 In their second meeting Friday, Henryetta squeaked past Dewar 1-0 behind pitching and flawless defense.

• WP: Kynlee Wynne (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K, 3 BB)

• Henryetta Leaders: Abigail Whitlow 1-2; Karsyn Goodman 1-2 — Lady Eagles soar past Rejoice Christian

The Morris Lady Eagles put together one of their most complete performances of the season Saturday, dismantling Rejoice Christian 11-1 with aggressive base running and clutch hits.

• WP: Brooke Thomas (3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB)

• Morris Leaders: Alayna Fixico 1-2, RBI; Brooke Thomas 1-2, 3B, RBI; Kailyn Fixico RBI; Gracey Leist steal of home

• Rejoice Leaders: Elli Tyrrell 1-1; Allison Bernett RBI — Lady Demons split Saturday games

The Lady Demons topped Booker T. Washington 7-4 on Saturday, using extra-base hits to set the tone.

• WP: Kaylynn Hamilton (4 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 K, 5 BB)

• Beggs Leaders: Kaylynn Hamilton 1-2, 2 RBI; Taytum Mills 1-3, 2B, RBI; Haylee Baughn 1-3, 3B, RBI; Abigail Harmon 1-3, RBI; Emma Trimble 2-2

• Booker T. Leaders: Claire Bendure 2-3; Alanna Lyons 2-3; Ainsley Cross RBI; Zoe Perry RBI In their second contest, Beggs fell 19-3 despite a six-hit performance.

• WP: Rylee Detweiler (2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 K, 1 BB)

• Beggs Leaders: Abigail Harmon 2-2, RBI; Abby Yandell 1-2, RBI; Willow Herod 1-2, RBI

• Chouteau-Mazie Leaders: Rylee Detweiler 1-1, 4 RBI; Jordan Newton 1-2, RBI; Shaelea Willerton 1-2; Kinzly Ellison 1-3