There will be new faces roaming the coaches boxes for Purcell High School softball this season.

After a dozen years under the direction of Sarah Jones, the Dragons’ new skipper is veteran coach Cody Tutwiler. He will be assisted by PHS alumnus Jason Tompkins.

Tutwiler has coached at a plethora of schools including Maysville, where he was head softball coach, Jones, Chisholm and most recently Bixby.
Tutwiler was assistant softball coach at Jones and Chisholm and begins his 17th year as a coach.

The Dragons return a handful of starters off last year’s 28-11 squad, including KK Vazquez at short stop, Mack McKay at catcher, Ava Sparks at pitcher, Kendra Anderson at second base and Miaca Martinez at first base. Anderson will also be counted on to pitch for the 2025 Dragons.

Newcomers that Tutwiler will be bringing along include Addie Thompson, Jaycee Holman in the outfield, move-in Kyndall Williams in the outfield and sophomore Kami Rendon in the outfield.

Other younger players that will be fighting for playing time are sophomore Chloe Morrow in the outfield, Kamdyn Stokes as a utility player and freshman Ava Midkiff in the outfield.

“We have so many open spots to fill,” Tutwiler said. “It’s just a matter of whomever steps up.”

Tutwiler reports the strength of the squad will be the infield.

“We have good leadership there with a lot of experience returning in certain spots,” the coach said. “Hopefully, we will be solid there to make it easier on our pitching.”

The coach reports he is looking for improvement in the play of his outfielders and the overall hitting for the team.

“We’ve got to improve on putting the ball in play, not striking out so much and improving our play in the outfield,” Tutwiler said.

Team chemistry is something the coach is looking for.

“They just need more playing time together,” he said. “A lot of these girls just haven’t had much playing time together.

“This is a group that is going to get a lot better from start to finish as we develop experience,” Tutwiler said. “We will get into those situations and learn how to work through them. We will have some growing pains but I think we will be playing our best come playoff time.”

Tutwiler, who is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, and his wife Julie live in Maysville.

“I’m excited to be here,” Tutwiler confirmed. “This is a great community that supports not only our softball program but all sports. We hope to sustain and continue the success they’ve had and hopefully make it even better.”

Tutwiler will teach Special Education at Purcell Junior High.

Purcell opens the 2025 season at home Monday with Lindsay.

They will play Perry in Oklahoma City Tuesday and travel to Harrah Thursday.

The Tuttle Festival is scheduled for Friday with Tuttle due here for a district contest Monday, August 18.