Play Ball! Fall Softball Season Opens For Lady Blue Devils

In the blistering heat of the hottest day of the year to date, pushing 115F on the heat index, Cordell’s Lady Blue Devils battled with the Lady Red Devils of Texhoma and came up short 13-1 and 18-1 in double-header action.

The score, said head coach Bobby Blackburn, was not how he measures his young team, which started three ladies in their first-ever games.

“We aren’t using the final score to measure ourselves,” he said. “I was proud of my team. I saw improvement in every girl as the games went on. We will get better everyday. These girls are willing to learn and they never complain. They are in 100-plus degree heat on a daily basis and work for two and a half hours.”

Blackburn highlighted several players for their outstanding efforts on the field, including starting pitcher Andrea Palmer, who added strong defensive play to her exceptional pitching. He also mentioned Evan Anderson for aggressive base-running and a nice running catch in center field. Makenzie Hougland, the short stop, hustled on every play to either field or provide back-up to a teammate and snagged a hard line drive for an out. She also pitched in relief of Palmer.He also commended catcher Paige Canterberry for her defensive play and hitting, as well as Abby Priebe for her hitting. He singled out Piper Gallagher for the hit of the day, a hard line drive into left center.

“We are young and inexperienced,” Blackburn said. “But we will get better every day.”

bob henline can be reached at

editor@cordellbeacon.com.