ATWOOD, May 5 — The Atwood High School girls’ softball team became the 1951 Oklahoma state champions by downing a determined Cowden team by a l8-5 score in a 10-inning game before one of the largest crowds ever to assemble for a sports event here.

Atwood broke a 5-5 deadlock in the first half of the tenth inning to get three runs and go out ahead 8-5. The score had remained 5-5 from the end of the seventh inning until Atwood came through with the three runs. Cowden was unable to score in the bottom half of the tenth inning.

Cowden got three runners on base during the crucial period fo the eighth inning but tight play by the Atwood girls prevented any runs.

The Atwood girls, coached by Supt. Henry Wood, gained the state finals by virtue of an 8-1 defeat plastered on Checotah there Friday night. The Atwood girls were defeated in the state finals last year by Gotebo.

Homers in the game were hit by Betty Blackburn and Wanda Long of Atwood and by Davis of Cowden.

Betty Blackburn and Wanda Merriman got two runs each during the encounter.

Atwood picked up 18 hits while Cowden got 9.

Wanda Merriman handled the hurling assignment for the championship Atwood girls.

Fine sportsmanship was exhibited by both teams during the game. The championship trophy will be sent to Supt. Henry Wood and his Atwood team from the state athletic association.