BARTLESVILLE SOFTBALL RETURNS SEVERAL STARTERS; SEASON OPENS AUG. 15
Bartlesville High School’s head softball coach Kyle Minton hits warm-ups during last season. The Lady Bruins season begins Aug. 15.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
July 21, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
The sunshine of optimism is sweeping over the Bartlesville High School varsity fastpitch softball team.
The Lady Bruins return two top pitchers and six other starters from last year’s state-tournament team that finished at 28-12.
That was Bartlesville’s best record in more than a dozen years and its first time at the state fastpitch tourney since 2010.
“When you return that many people, you are very balanced,” said veteran Lady Bruin head coach Kyle Minton. “We have some really good defense. … We have really good pitching. We also have some power in places and some speed.”
Few people saw it coming a year ago. The Lady Bruins struggled to a 13-34 record in 2023, their second-fewest wins in six years. But they put it all together last year to surge to 28 wins, including a sweeping unbeaten through the regional.
That leads to a mixed blessing going into this season.
“Last year not everyone knew about us,” Minton said. “This year we’re not up-and-coming. The girls have a target on their back. … This group is pretty self-motivated. One of the best things is they are pretty cognizant. They know they want to host a regional and they want to be one of the high seeds going into state.”
To fuel that vision, Bartlesville softball teams have qualified for softball three seasons in a row — in spring slowpitch in 2024, in autumn fastpitch in 2024 and in spring slowpitch in 2025.
As mentioned, many of the key warriors in Bartlesville’s wave of success are back in uniform — pitchers Kelsie Yales and Alison Rosson, first baseman Savannah Alden, second baseman Lola Redington, shortstop Erin Bridendolph, outfields Kenzie Denny and Maddie Czaja and catcher Madie Nachbor.
That leaves just two starting positions to fill — an outfielder and third baseman.
Two freshmen that probably will see a good chance of playing are Lydia Daniels and Josie Childers, Minton said, and also mentioned Jazmine Campbell as a potential versatile contributor.
“Jazmine Campbell had a really good spring,” Minton said. “She also pitches. I think she’ll have a chance to be impactful for us on the offensive end.”
Minton believes his batting lineup could produce competitive at-bats at every spot.
“We have some people out there that would start at a lot of places offensively,” he said. “We have depth as a whole. It kind of balances out.”
Minton expects his Lady Bruins to make their presence shown in a big way.
“I told them that when in inter-squad, when we face ourselves, that sometimes is going to be the hardest competition we’re going to face,” he said.
NOTES: The regular season opener is planned for August 15. … On July 26 the Lady Bruins see their first scrimmage action by traveling to Fairland. … During their previous two slowpitch seasons the Lady Bruins have burst to a cumulative 52-22 record and a state tourney appearance each year. As mentioned, last fall’s fastpitch team powered to a 28-12 mark and state spot. … Former Lady Bruin standouts from the past four seasons Lexi Durao-West and Isabell Daniels are slated to play in college at Grayson (Texas) College and Rose State, respectively.
Bartlesville High School’s Maddie Czaja catches a ball in the outfield during last season. The Lady Bruins start Aug. 15.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports