Lady Tigers softball to lean on pitching depth in 2026

Pitching is usually a strength for Tahlequah softball, but this year, it's going to be different. The Lady Tigers will be downright loaded with pitching depth.

"We're deep this season; I think we should do pretty well," Griffin said. "If we score some runs, we're sitting in a good spot. Our pitching staff doesn't give up a whole lot of runs, so I think we're going to be pretty good."

Cloud pitches

Kylee Cloud delivers to the plate at THS practice, Thursday, July 16.

Usually THS has one or two good pitchers, but this season, the Lady Tigers have five or six pitchers who can come in, take over a game and give a different look when needed. Led by reining Gatorade Player of the Year Zoie Griffin, the Lady Tigers trotted out Alix Kimble, Kylee Cloud, Holli Vick, Bentley Kelso and Payton Phillips over the summer.

"I think they all have different strengths and weaknesses," THS catcher Addie Davis said. "They all have things they can and can’t do, but we’re going to be solid in the circle this season."

Last season, Griffin and Kimble were the ace and secondary ace for the Lady Tigers and are expected to be a stout one-two punch this season. Griffin finished with a 20-3 record last year, 0.771 earned run average and 301 strikeouts, with four perfect games and a no-hitter. Griffin added a win in the State Tournament.

In her freshman season, Kimble held a 12-4 record with a 2.68 ERA and 78 strikeouts.

"We have more depth at pitching than any other position; we're going to have four or five players we can rely on to win a lot of ball games," THS head coach Chris Ray said.

Those two will likely receive a bulk of the varsity innings on the mound, but Cloud, Vick, Kelso and Phillips will develop in junior varsity and potentially come off the bench to help the Lady Tigers.

The Lady Tigers start their scrimmage season at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 23, vs. Eufaula at home.