Manship a cut above the rest...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Another Saturday, another trio of all-state softball games. This time it was the slowpitch variety at the OU softball complex.

And once again, it was the Small East winning, followed by the Middle West and Large West coming out on top. Pretty conclusive where the power of the respective sides were at this season.

My No. 1 thought after watching all six games: Southeastern got the steal of the state in getting Ali Manship of Harrah.

She is ridiculously good. She showed it last Saturday with her pitching, hitting and base running.

Then two days ago, it was her fielding. She threw out two runners from her knees at shortstop, showing tremendous arm strength.

Her bat was as strong as ever, knocking in four runs on a two-run single and a pair of RBI singles in a 20-3 whipping of the Large East.

I talked to Harrah coach David Shannon around the time of All-City selections, and I’ll never forget what he said about her: “she’d cut your throat if it meant a win.”

Good stuff. The Manship family is not gone from Harrah as Ali’s younger sister, Beth, will be a senior next season. Shannon said Beth’s swing is more natural than Ali. That’s a scary thought.

I focused on Southmoore’s Brittany James because two things: 1. Thought it was interesting for her to leave Moore to go to the first-year school. 2. Wondered what her thoughts were about playing with those Moore and Westmoore girls again.

The MVP was probably Kayla McKinley of Westmoore. She drove in four runs but oddly enough, it was her pitching that raised my eyebrows.