by Byron Beers/Staff Writer

Lynetta Keller had visions of rebuiling the El Reno softball program from the ground up when she arrived as head coach in 2005.

In just her third season, Keller has lifted the program to new heights — more than any El Reno coach before her. Keller and the Indians will start another chapter to a remarkable season on Thursday when they open the Class 5A state tournament against Coweta. The two schools will square off at noon at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

It’s the first time in school history that an El Reno softball team has reached the state tournament. The program first started in 1978. It folded in 1990 before being established again in 1996.

The Indians have faced two of the eight teams remaining in 5A. El Reno blanked third-ranked Skiatook 1-0 in a late September matchup in Tulsa. The Indians lost to top-ranked Carl Albert 7-2 at home on Aug. 27.

But those two schools will be playing on the other side of the bracket. The Titans are the top seed overall going in.
The Indians, 25-13 overall on the season, will turn their focus to Coweta, the top seed from the East. El Reno is seeded fourth from the West.

A good number of the El Reno players spent time soaking in the atmosphere at Hall of Fame Stadium last weekend while watching the Class 4A state finals.