The Lady Antlers of Deer Creek, under the leadership of coach Trent Patterson, have continued to develop the softball program over the last three seasons. Using the slowpitch season to develop players and compete is something many programs have embraced.

“[The] main thing I’m looking forward to is continuing to compete with our players again. The extra reps we get in practice and the 35-plus extra games we get to compete with having slowpitch is something that I feel has been very beneficial to the development of our program as well as maintaining the success that we want to achieve in fastpitch and slowpitch,” said coach Patterson.

Playing in Class 6A against perennial programs like Mustang, Broken Arrow, Westmore, and others is tough, but the Lady Antlers are coming into their own and continue to work hard to make Deer Creek softball one of the top programs in the state.

Coach Patterson has dotted the Deer Creek schedule with tough opponents from all classes, giving his team different looks and styles to compete against. That experience will only help the returning players for next fall’s fastpitch season.

“We have a lot of great teams on our schedule from Class 6A down to 2A and anywhere in between. Our schedule this year is tougher than we have had in years past to try and challenge this young group and make them see how good they can become,” said coach Patterson.

When the Lady Antlers take the field, they will start a plethora of underclassmen. Coach Patterson said the team only has two upperclassmen on the roster.

“Senior Ashlee Hogg and junior Rylee Houska do a great job leading our program. We have a talented bunch of sophomores that are big time contributors for us and have been for the last two seasons as well as some freshman that are getting quality experience and succeeding in their roles,” said Patterson.

Hogg and Houska have taken on leadership roles on and off the field, but this is a young team, and more leaders are needed for the future.

According to coach Patterson, the Lady Antlers will start six sophomores and two freshmen this season with several underclassmen playing vital roles for the team.

“We are every young. Once this young group puts it all together, it will be a fun year to watch,” said Patterson.

Photo by Amanda Houska