Late Checotah rally dooms Lady Diamonds in softball season opener

One big inning by the visiting Checotah Lady Wildcats doomed the Sallisaw Lady Diamonds in their home and season opener of the 2025 fast-pitch softball season Monday evening on “The Turf of Dreams,” the Lady Diamonds’ new home, as the Lady Diamonds fell 8-3.

Trailing 3-2 after two innings, the Lady Wildcats (10) erupted for five runs in the fifth inning and sent nine batters to the plate to take the lead for good at 7-3.

The Lady ’Cats got an insurance run in the seventh inning.

After the Lady Wildcats scored twice in the opening inning for a 2-0 lead, the Lady Diamonds (0-1) grabbed the lead with a three-run second inning as RBI singles by Abby Webb, Natalie Gonzalez and Sydney Weedon gave Sallisaw a 3-2 lead. The Lady Diamonds tried for a second run scoring on Weedon’s RBI single, but Gonzalez got caught in a rundown between home plate and third base for the final out to put an end to the rally.

Checotah’s Shaelynn Casey (1-0) got the win as she struck out five batters and scattered seven hits. She retired Sallisaw in order in each of the final two innings.

In defeat, Gonzalez was 2-for-4 with a run batted in for Sallisaw. Compton (0-1) suffered the loss.

CHECOTAH 8, SALLISAW 3

Checotah 200 050 1 — 8 9 0

Sallisaw 030 000 0 — 3 7 1

WP — Shaelynn Casey (C) (1-0). LP — Delaney Compton (S) (0-1).

2B — Layna Vandiver (C), Shaelynn Casey (C), Aurora Madewell (C).