The GHS slow-pitch softball team got one step closer to a state playoff berth Tuesday after winning their own hosted Class 5A district tournament.
Coach Kara Tarrant and the Lady Jays went 3-0 in their tournament games in what was the program’s first time hosting districts. They took down Bristow in game one, 10-4, then won back-to-back games against Fort Gibson, 7-3 and 7-6.
Guthrie also honored three senior players prior to game one; Kassie Hall, Ava Hebensperger and Shelbey Smedley, who all played their final games at GHS.
A five-run opening inning and a sixth-inning grand slam by Cody Hibbs pushed the Lady Jays past Bristow to start the day, then they battled back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Fort Gibson for the first time. Guthrie ran in six scores in the bottom of the sixth to separate themselves before their defense put the game away in the seventh.
Finally, Guthrie clinched the district title after rematching the Tigers and overcoming another 3-1 lead to win, 7-6. Savannah Ingle knocked in a three-run homer and Halle Hamilton won it in the final inning with a fly ball to center field, bringing Ingle home from third.
The Lady Jays now play for a spot in the Class 5A state tournament, as all district winners will be assigned to a double elimination regional tournament on Monday, April 28. It’s the first time Guthrie has advanced past the district tournament since the program was started in 2020.