Pioneers top Broken Arrow

Ron Holt — Special to the NewsPress

Stillwater High’s late season surge took a major step forward Tuesday night at Couch Park as the Pioneers defeated second-ranked Broken Arrow, 6-1.

Senior right-hander Korbin Kenmore paved the way for SHS, which is on a three-game winning streak, as he tossed a six-hitter against the powerful Tigers. He fanned three and walked only one.

Stillwater (13-13) overcame four errors as the offense produced 10 hits against a trio of Broken Arrow (26-8) pitchers.

The Pioneers, who lost at BA earlier this season, took a 2-0 lead after two innings as third baseman Daniel Cassel doubled and scored on a balk, before Frank Arena reached on a fielders’ choice and raced home on second baseman Griffith Roark’s double to right-center.

Broken Arrow cut the deficit in half in the top of the third as Mitchell Osburn produced an RBI single to right-center field.

SHS pushed across three runs in the fourth on RBI singles by Roark and Tripp Callaway and a fielders’ choice by Michael Patman.

Stillwater added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth as designated hitter Matt Brown led off with a double. Alex Holt, running for Brown, scored on a double to left-center by rightfielder Shaun Brinker.

“We came out expecting to win the game and I was pleased with the way the team handled things,” said SHS coach Tony Holt. “There wasn’t any jumping around and no celebration because they played like they expected to win.”

“With Kenmore on the mound you always have a chance to win and I think we’re making improvement, which we did (Tuesday) against one of the best teams in the state. We’ve been looking to May and we want to keep improving to be at our best at that time.”

SHS junior Roark was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Patman and Cassel each finished with two hits.

“This was a big win for us,” Roark said. “… Hopefully it will motivate us to go out and get the job done every time out. I think it just takes beating (Broken Arrow) to prove that we can play with the best teams when we play well.

“With Korbin pitching we knew we had a chance, we always do. And, it was awesome to see us hit the ball like we did. I think everyone feeds off each other when we’re all hitting the ball.”

Kenmore (6-3) worked out of a jam in the first as the Tigers threatened when Zac Mills reached on an error leading off. He stole second and went to third on an error but was out at home on a throw from Cassel to catcher Kale Gaden.

Broken Arrow left three men aboard as Kenmore enticed Nick Pettus to fly out to center.

After giving up a run and finding himself trouble in the top of the third, Kenmore (6-3) settled down and got a pair of pop-ups to end the inning with two Tigers on base.

From the third through the sixth, Kenmore retired 11 of 12 batters. BA threatened in the top of the seventh as Corbin Ziegler reached on an error. With two down, the Tigers loaded the bases, but Jake Parsons grounded out to short to end the game.

“I really felt like I was a little off tonight, but I didn’t worry about anything because I knew the team would make the plays behind me,” Kenmore said. “This win is a big boost for our team to beat the No. 2 team in the state, but now we just have to press on.”

Stillwater will attempt to take more positive steps Thursday when the Pioneers visit talented Sand Springs for a doubleheader, starting at 5 p.m.

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