Published: September 19, 2008 11:45 am         

Area teams face off in Comanche Invitational

Marlow, Comanche, Waurika and Central High go 2-0 on first day

COMANCHE — COMANCHE — Brian Miller knows his team is capable of just about anything when his defense comes to play. And Thursday night against Bray-Doyle, they did just that.

Kailee Roe pitched seven innings for the Lady Outlaws in a 3-2 win, earning the victory while striking out two batters and leaving the rest up to her defense. Roe was able to keep the ball down in the strike zone all evening, forcing 11 ground ball outs.

“If we could play six innings like that all the time we’d be in great shape,” Miller said.

Bray-Doyle scored both its runs in the top of the seventh inning, as it began to finally chip away at Roe. Capitalizing on Marlow’s lone error, the Lady Donkeys were able to load the bases only to see Codie Solomonthrown out at third base for the final out, on a two-run single to left field by Jordan Brown. Head Coach Joe Knapp said he was disappointed by the loss, but liked the way his team played up until the end.

“You’d rather have the girls play aggressive than timid,” Knapp said. “You can’t fault them for that.”

Marlow (18-8) went up 1-0 in the first inning, as Tasha Dodd drove in Bretlie Richardson with an RBI single to left. Richardson reached base all three times she came to the plate, singling once and drawing two walks. The Lady Outlaws played small ball most of the evening, sacrificing runners into scoring position and taking advantage of a few Bray-Doyle miscues. Marlow’s third run came in the fifth inning as Richardson scored off a Sydney Shannon RBI double.

“We had some good cuts, some real good at bats,” Miller said. “This was definitely overall one of our better games all year.”

Bray-Doyle’s pitcher Jordan Brown also threw well but couldn’t get the run support she needed. Brown struck out six batters yet could not keep Marlow off the base paths—allowing the Lady Outlaws to get into scoring position on several occasions.

Marlow played earlier in the day as well, beating Lawton Mac high school 9-1. Hayley Harris pitched for the Lady Outlaws, earning the win as Marlow’s bats came to life, comfortably putting them ahead

The loss to Marlow dropped Bray-Doyle’s record to 14-12, after losing earlier in the day to Comanche 3-2. Jordan Brown pitched, not allowing an earned run but took the loss.

The Lady Indians jumped out to a 3-0 lead, scoring two runs in the first and one in the fourth. The first two runs came courtesy of Jacquelyn Martin, whose single scored Shayna Milam and Tanya Whaley. An RBI single by Madison Taylor in the fourth plated Cassie Sanders.

Bray-Doyle forged a comeback in the fifth with two runs. Whitney Mayes reached after getting hit by a pitch and Briscoe also reached on a single. Both would score.

Whaley picked up the win for Comanche with Milam coming in on relief for the save.

Just like Marlow, Comanche would pick up the sweep in a 7-0 win over Lawton Eisenhower. Kenzie Reed got the start and went the distance for the win, giving up three hits and striking out six.

Comanche jumped out with to an early 3-0 lead on a two-run double by Jacobi Clark and an RBI groundout by Nicole Martin. Whaley and Reed also had two-run base hits with Martin and Sanders each going 2-for-3.

Comanche and Marlow will meet Saturday morning for the right to advance to the championship game in Pool C and Pool D.

In Pool A and B, Central High and Waurika each went 2-0, one game away from the championship game.

Lyndsey Johnson pitched effectively against Wilson, helping propel Central High to a 6-1 victory. Central’s offense got off to a quick start, scoring 5 runs in the first inning, taking advantage of several sharp base hits and a few Wilson errors.

Johnson had six strikeouts, improving the Lady Bronchos record to 17-4. The team reached its 16th win with little trouble, defeating Empire 18-0. Johnson threw two innings to pick up the win. Central High picked up 10 hits in the win, with Ashley Smith picking up three RBIs and Mackenzie Payton plating two runs.

The Lady Bulldogs also fell in their second game. The team struggled early against Temple, getting down 3-0 in the fourth inning before eventually falling 7-2. Kaylee Price pitched for Empire, striking out three batters while taking the loss. The game drops Empire’s record to 2-15.

Waurika improved to 11-9 on the season with wins over Walters and Turner. The Lady Eagles piled it on early, beating Turner 12-1. Brittany Elkins pitched for the Lady Eagles, picking up 10 strikeouts, as the team provided more than enough run-support to impose the mercy rule in the fifth inning.

Elkins also picked up the win in a 3-1 victory over Walters. The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Waurika’s Kayla Salazar doubled and scored moments later. Salazar also had a solo home run in the fifth inning and Sage Perry’s single scored Elkins who reached base on a triple. Elkins gave up one earned run while striking out 10.

The tournament will resume Saturday morning.

     

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