Mustang: Ashley Paxton earns honor...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

All year on the west side of the state, it felt like a battle between Mustang and Yukon as the top softball team. One big reason for the Broncos’ was the emergence of senior pitcher Ashley Paxton.

Hmm, maybe emergence is the wrong word as she had been consistent as a junior but took her game (and with it, the team) to another level.

Paxton has been named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Oklahoma high school softball and is the first softball player from Mustang to earn the honor.

Paxton was 21-1 with an minuscule 0.74 ERA in helping Mustang to the Class 6A championship game. She only walked 21 batters and also drove in 32 runs at the plate.

“When she’s in the circle, her level of intensity, the talent that she brings and her competitiveness elevates the players,” said Mustang Head Coach Tim Wade. “It’s like when Mariano Rivera goes to the mound. Any time she goes to the circle, the team says, ‘We’re winning. It’s over.’ She wanted the ball. Ashley brought a high level of confidence, and the confidence in all the girls was elevated.”

She will be a member of the Large West all-state team Saturday in Norman and has signed to play with Oklahoma Christian.