The Preston Lady Pirates and Preston Pirates showed no signs of slowing down as they delivered a week of strong performances both at the plate and in the circle, overwhelming their opponents in a series of decisive victories.
— Starr shines in 10-0 shutout
Preston’s star pitcher and hitter, Taylan Starr, delivered a commanding two-way performance on Monday to help the Lady Pirates secure a 10-0 shutout over the Tonkawa Lady Bucs at home. Starr was dominant in the circle, throwing five innings of shutout ball, striking out 10, walking just one, and scattering five hits.
Preston took control early. In the first inning, Kynlee Martin grounded out to score a run, followed by Alynn LeBlanc’s bases-clearing triple to make it 4-0. By the second inning, a double from Kristin Holuby extended the lead to 5-0.
Starr helped her own cause in the third inning with a two-run triple, followed by a fielding error and another triple from Martin that plated more runs. She later added an inside-the-park solo home run in the fifth inning to cap off a flawless offensive display.
Offensively, Starr went 2-for-3 with a home run, triple, and three RBIs. LeBlanc also drove in three. Brooklyn Gertner recorded two hits and was a defensive wall, making 10 plays in the field.
Tonkawa’s #7 pitcher went 2.2 innings, giving up nine runs (six earned) on four hits and three walks, and was tagged with the loss.
— Preston Stats
• Taylan Starr (P/H): 5 IP, 10 K, 0 ER; 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
• Alynn LeBlanc: 1-for-2, 3B, 3 RBI
• Kristin Holuby: 2B, 1 RBI
• Kynlee Martin: 3B, 2 RBI
• Brooklyn Gertner: 2 H, 10 plays in field
• No errors committed — Lady Pirates power past Newkirk, 15-3
Two days later, the Lady Pirates added another win with an offensive explosion against Newkirk, winning 15-3 in six innings. Starr was again the standout performer, striking out 15 batters and allowing just four hits and three runs over six in- nings. At the plate, she hit two home runs – including a third-inning grand slam – and drove in five runs.
After a solo shot in the first to open the scoring, Preston trailed briefly in the third. Newkirk responded with RBI hits from Jordyn Carleton, Teagan Morton, and Haley Free. However, the Lady Pirates responded with a seven-run third inning, anchored by Starr’s grand slam.
Kristin Holuby joined the home run parade with a three-run blast in the sixth. Ashleigh Hurt led the hit parade, going 3-for-4. Preston tallied 14 hits total, with multiple hits from Gertner and Holuby.
— Preston Stats
• Taylan Starr (P/H): 6 IP, 15 K; 2 HR (1 Grand Slam), 5 RBI
• Kristin Holuby: 1 HR, 3 RBI
• Ashleigh Hurt: 3-for-4
• Team Hits: 14
• Walks: 6
• No errors committed — Pirates cruise over Tulsa NOAH Not to be outdone, the Preston Pirates baseball team also impressed with a 9-1 win over Tulsa NOAH on Tuesday. Southpaw Kaden Dean was lights-out, striking out 10 and allowing just one earned run over five innings.
The Pirates scored three in the first and never looked back. Tyler Stevenson doubled to start the rally, and Weston Cope and Peyton Fjeldsted added to the damage with walks that led to runs. Dean helped himself with a sacrifice fly in the second, and in the third, the Pirates broke it open. Nick Costanza singled in a run, followed by a three-run homer from Hunter McElhannon.
Costanza and McElhannon both went 2-for-2, with McElhannon tallying three RBIs. The Pirates displayed patience at the plate, earning seven walks. Bryce McNac was a defensive leader with 10 putouts and Preston committed no errors.
— Preston Stats
• Kaden Dean (P): 5 IP, 10 K, 2 H, 1 ER
• Hunter McElhannon: HR, 3 RBI, 2-for-2
• Nick Costanza: 2-for-2, RBI
• Tyler Stevenson: 2B, 1 R
• Team Walks: 7
• No errors committed
