Okmulgee County high school teams hit the diamond hard this week, producing dramatic late-game rallies, dominant pitching and explosive offensive outbursts in both baseball and softball action. From Preston to Beggs, Henryetta to Morris, student-athletes showcased grit and determination as they battled in early-season contests.

— Pirates strike late to top Dale The Preston Pirates snatched a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Dale Pirates on Monday, thanks to a clutch double from Weston Cope in the fifth inning that drove in two decisive runs.

Dale jumped ahead early, plating two in the first after a walk by Cruz Garrett and an RBI single from Hunter Watkins. Preston responded immediately with back-to-back singles in the bot- tom half, tying the game at two on a sharp single by Cope.

A Preston error in the second allowed Dale to briefly reclaim the lead, but Nick Costanza blasted a solo shot to center in the bottom half, knotting the score at three.

The game remained deadlocked until the fifth, when Cope stepped to the plate with runners aboard and ripped a double, giving Preston the advantage for good. On the mound, Jace Basquez earned the win in relief, allowing just one hit and no runs over four innings while striking out three. Starter Kaden Dean struck out five but surrendered three runs in his three-inning outing. Dale starter Chase Harris allowed five hits and three runs over two innings, striking out three.

Cope and Tyler Stevenson anchored Preston’s offense with two hits each, while Cope led the way with two RBIs. Dale was paced by Watkins, Harris, Garrett and Braylon White, who each collected hits.

Next up, Preston heads to face the Cameron Yellowjackets on Friday. — Starr shines as Lady Pirates down Newkirk Taylan Starr dominated in the circle Monday, fanning 10 batters as the Preston Lady Pirates beat Newkirk 6-1. Starr went the distance, allowing just four hits and one run across seven innings.

The game was scoreless until the sixth, when Preston broke through in a big way. Kristin Holuby, Josie Cope and Alynn LeBlanc delivered consecutive RBI hits, fueling a three-run frame that put the Lady Pirates firmly in control.

Preston collected 10 hits overall, with Kynlee Martin driving in two runs. Holuby, LeBlanc, Starr and Ashleigh Hurt all recorded multi-hit games, while Starr also swiped two bases. Brooklyn Gertner anchored the defense with 12 putouts as the Lady Pirates played error-free softball.

Newkirk’s Jordyn Carelton led her team with two hits, while Brooklynne Reyes drove in their lone run.

Preston returns home Tuesday to host the Bartlesville Lady Bruins.

— Beggs Lady Demons run wild in victory

The Beggs Lady Demons exploded for nine runs in the third inning en route to a 15-5 win over Wewoka.

Beggs took advantage of 13 walks and combined speed with power, stealing 16 bases on the day. Willow Herod, Emma Trimble, Ruby Tenison and Taytum Mills delivered key hits in the decisive third frame. Trimble’s bases-clearing triple highlighted the outburst.

Herod and Mills led Beggs with two hits apiece, while Trimble, Tenison and Herod all drove in two runs. Kaylynn Hamilton earned the win, striking out seven in four innings of work.

Despite patience at the plate that drew nine walks, Wewoka managed just one hit, coming from Nevaeh. Sandi S. and Sammy each knocked in runs, while Emma S. and Mariah stole multiple bases.

The Demons will travel to Kiefer for their next matchup Monday.

— Rock, Hicks power Lady Knights past Morris At Morris, the Henryetta Lady Knights blanked the Morris Lady Eagles 10-0 behind a strong outing from Allie Davis and a perfect day at the plate from Maddie Rock.

Rock went 3-for-3 with a double, while Ailanee Hicks sparked the offense with an RBI single in the opening inning. Davis scattered three hits over six innings, striking out eight without issuing a walk.

Henryetta pounded out 11 hits, with Keegan Hamric and Hicks also recording multi-hit games. Defensively, the Lady Knights were flawless, with Serenity Rex recording eight chances without an error.

Morris got hits from Alayna Fixico, Katelyn Sparkman and Tenli Barnett, while Brooke Thomas took the loss despite striking out seven.

— Additional County Results

• The Preston JV Lady Pirates defeated Newkirk 7-2, highlighted by a bases-clearing triple from Olivia Beaver and strong pitching from Isabella Turner.

• The Henryetta Lady Knights and Morris Lady Eagles battled to a 3-3 tie Monday, with Morris’ Reese Ellis and Henryetta’s Aubrey Taylor driving in runs.

• The Prague Red Devils overwhelmed Morris 11-0 Tuesday, fueled by a six-run first inning and a big day from Taelyr Norman.

• The Sperry Pirates topped Beggs 12-2 Tuesday, as Beggs struggled to contain Sperry’s 13-hit attack.

• The Lexington Lady Bulldogs defeated Henryetta 6-2 Tuesday, despite a two-run homer from Hicks.

• The Preston Lady Pirates blanked Bartlesville 3-0 behind a shutout from Josie Cope, who went the full seven innings.