By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
ENID – Okarche (4-8) nearly nabbed its fifth win of the season, but a three-run sixth inning plagued the Warriors in a 7-5 loss to Oklahoma Bible Academy last Thursday.
The Warriors jumped out to an early lead, scoring once in the top of the first inning on a RBI double by Karsyn Vallerand and once in the top of the second on a RBI single by Savannah Mingus for a 2-0 run advantage. OBA quickly tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice fly.
Okarche regained the lead in the top of the third with a pair of runs on four hits, including RBI singles from Vallerand and Emma Stover. However, the Trojans once again tied the game, scoring two runs on three hits in the bottom half to notch the score at 4-4.
The two teams played scoreless in the fourth and the fifth innings before OBA tacked on three runs on four hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 7-3 lead. The Warriors tried to rally in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs. A bases loaded walk by Ady Arms made it 7-4 before the final two outs were recorded to seal the Warriors’ eigth loss of the fall.
Five Warriors finished with at least two hits, including Vallerand who went 2-for-4 with a double. Marly Hill went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, Arms went 2-for-2 two singles and a walk and Mac Schneiter went 2-for-3 with two singles. Hayley Coffey and Stover each finished with one hit.
Vallerand went the distance in the circle for Okarche, giving up seven earned runs on 11 hits and three walks with three strikeouts. She threw 108 pitches, including 66 for strikes and faced a total of 33 batters.
The Warriors continue their season against cross-county rival Class 4A Kingfisher (9-8) today at 4:30 p.m. at home before traveling to Class B Calumet (4-10) Friday at 4:30 p.m. After five days off, Okarche will travel to Pioneer-Pleasant Vale for the 2019 Pioneer Tournament next weekend.
