Being a contender in Class 4A fastpitch softball is tough. A fact not forgotten by head coach Kaleb Murray at Elk City High School. It takes great defensive play and an offense that can produce runs. Two things the Elk City Elks have this season.https://4217ceb70eb362ee58d6f51d710f02c4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
“This season I have seen our team’s willingness to take the hard work and perpetration from this summer and turn it into results on the field,” said coach Murray. “I think by jumping out to a hot start we quickly learned our potential for being one of the better teams in Class 4A.”
This team has shown the ability to fight through challenging situations and their swagger is coming to life as each player becomes more comfortable in their role. But having everyone on the same page is not easy for any coach, but Murray has them all buying in to what this coaching staff is selling.
“It’s fortunate that all the girls have the same end goal as me which is to get to the state tournament. I demand their best effort every single day whether it was workouts in June, practice in July, or in the classroom. These girls have accepted this challenge and that’s the contributing factor to our success. The girls understand how important every district game is, we’ve got in on one game and been left out by a game, so they understand what’s at stake in September,” said Murray. “I’m very lucky to get to coach this team, this is a very talented, hardworking, and fun group of kids. I’m most excited for what these girls will accomplish in life off the field just as much as I enjoy seeing them work on the field.”
Danni Sottile has been stellar in the circle for Elk City. When she is locked in, there may not be a better thrower in the class.
“Our senior pitcher has thrown most of our innings, Danni Sottile, she is one of the best pitchers in our class,” said Murray. “This year we go pretty deep at the plate. One through nine could get a hit at any time. Our pitcher is hitting over .500 right now and she’s driven in quite a few runs, but our lead off Ella Sottile, and two-hole Rylee Wyatt have been swinging it very well this year as well.”
2021 Elk City Elks Roster
Seniors: Danni Sottile (P), J’Lynn Hodnett (OF/INF), Dustee Warnke (OF)
Juniors: Rylee Wyatt (INF), Jill Meador (OF/INF), Jada Kimball (OF), Arleth Luna (OF), Alivia Geno (INF), Abby Robbins (C), Alyssa Brott (INF), Hailey Buie (OF), Brynlee Bustin (INF), Bianca Norbit (OF)
Sophomores: Karissa Ballard (OF), Emily Lowrance (INF/P), Brianna Butler (INF), Madison Holliday (OF), Adyson Cupp (INF), Hensley Fritzler (OF)
Freshmen: Abby Brown (OF/C), Ella Sottile (INF), Taylor Thomas (OF), Jayden Marks (INF),
Arianna Vasquez (OF), Analiese Whittington
