Fayetteville's Wilson Finds Fit With Rangers

FAYETTEVILLE -- Sara Wilson and some of her friends from back home are proof life in the far reaching outskirts of Oklahoma can be grand.

Softball is Wilson's sport of choice, and after a stellar career at Fayetteville, the two-time all-state selection began her college career in a different part of the Sooner State. But after one year at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Wilson has found her rhythm after transferring to Northwestern Oklahoma State.

"I had known Coach (Jeff) Anderson when he was at Central Baptist College," Wilson said. "I had wanted to go play for him there, but it didn't work out.

"But when I heard he was coming to coach here, I knew I wanted to come out here and play."

And that's exactly what Wilson has done. Just like her days at Fayetteville, Wilson has been a constant in the Rangers' lineup as a starter in all 36 games this 2014 season. As the Northwestern Oklahoma State starting second baseman, Wilson is hitting .293 with two home runs and 15 RBIs for a team that is 26-10 and currently in second place in the Great American Conference.

While Wilson's numbers are plenty strong for a sophomore transfer, the competition among her teammates is fierce. But that's one thing Wilson enjoys about the team, and the game.

"The girls here, some of them are better," Wilson said. "Some of them seem to play with more heart for the game.

"In high school different girls played different sports. But here you have your school paid for and you're only playing softball. So everybody is a lot more into it."

Fayetteville coach Jason Shirey remembers Wilson as one of the most steady and consistent players he has coached. That lunch pail and hardhat mentality should serve her well at the collegiate level.

"Sara just needs to get out there and play every day, and that's what she's doing," Shirey said. "She's a quiet kid who just goes about her business and likes to plug in, so that should fit her just right."

Wilson is five and half hours away from home in Alva, Okla. She gets back when she can, making it to Fayetteville during Spring Break and still holding her summer job at the local Harps during the offseason. But thanks to a couple of local ties on the team, she's never without that hometown feel even when she's with her team.

Shyanne Nichols of Gravette, is one of Northwestern's top hitters this season. The sophomore is fifth on the team with a .328 average to go along with four home runs, 25 RBIs and 26 runs scored. And fellow Fayetteville graduate Ashlye Pool, Wilson's roommate, is in her true freshman season with the Rangers and will look to work into the team's rotation in the future.

"It helps out a lot," Wilson said. "Ashlye and I are roommates and we get to spend a lot of time together, just like we did back in high school. So we can help out one another a lot."

Wilson wouldn't mind seeing more of her former teammates and more Arkansas players join her at Northwestern Oklahoma State in the future. And while the thought of Northwest Arkansas talent raiding Oklahoma colleges to play softball might have seemed silly in the past, Shirey believes the trend has changed.

"The state (of Arkansas) is not quite there yet as far as closing the talent gap. But it's gotten better," Shirey said. "There was a time, right or wrong, when the perception was the kids from our state couldn't play. And I think we've shown that we have good players and good coaches in this state."

Wilson is one who has shown it her entire softball career. And now she's found the ideal place to display her talents.

The location might be in the far reaches of the Sooner State, but that's fine with Wilson. She's playing the sport she loves, and as always playing with a purpose.

"We can't go to the postseason this year because we moved up (to Division II). So our goal is to win a conference championship and to just win every series we play, because that's all we can play for this season."

Sports on 04/04/2014