Published: May 07, 2008 09:42 pm            

Wolves and Antlers ready for action

After rainy weather forced a delay in the Class 5A and 6A state baseball tournaments, the Edmond Santa Fe and Deer Creek squads are ready to get their title quests started this afternoon.

The No. 2-ranked Wolves are hoping this could finally be there year they bring home a Class 6A state title. After being knocked out of the tournament last year by rival Edmond Memorial, the Wolves return an experienced group that is stocked with strong pitching and power hitting that makes them one of the favorites this year.

Coach Lonny Cobble believes his team’s strong finish in last week’s regional tournament will be beneficial during the state tournament. After falling to Norman North in their second game, the Wolves stayed alive with a run-rule victory over Norman. Santa Fe then punched a ticket to state with back-to-back wins over the Timberwolves, by a combined score of 24-0.

“It showed our guys that we can come back in a tournament, and it also teaches them that other teams can do the same thing,” Cobble said.

Santa Fe (36-7) has some familiar company in their bracket, which includes Jenks, Moore and Broken Arrow. The Wolves topped the No. 6-ranked Trojans 14-4 in the Broken Arrow/Jenks Tournament, and split two-game series with Broken Arrow and Moore.

The Wolves will begin their championship runt at 1:30 p.m., when they take on No. 6-ranked Jenks (27-9) at Bixby High School. No. 3-ranked Broken Arrow (22-9) and No. 12-ranked Moore (21-14) will play in the second game, which is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. The losers of each game will meet at 6:30 p.m., and the winners advance to play at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The Deer Creek squad is also looking to make some noise this year in the Class 5A tournament, after an early two and out exit last time around.

“I think they feel like they have some unfinished business from last year,” Deer Creek coach Ron Moore said.

To do so, the Antlers must first fight through a tough bracket, which includes top-ranked Chickasha, No. 3-ranked McAlester and Skiatook.

The Antlers (27-10) will face McAlester (28-7) in their first round contest, which is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. at Tulsa Union. Deer Creek took the only meeting between the two clubs, a 1-0 win in the finals of the Pryor Tournament on March 29.

Moore said he plans on sending Derek Vaughn to the mound for game one. The senior, who has seen limited action since breaking his non-throwing hand, a few weeks ago, was very impressive in his last out. Vaughn helped the Antlers mow down Lawton MacArthur in the regional tournament, by striking out nine in 4 1/3 innings of work.

The Fightin Chicks and Skiatook will start things off at 1:30 p.m. The Chicks (35-4), who swept the Antlers this season, have been one of the teams to beat all season long. The Bulldogs (17-18) meanwhile overcame a mediocre season with strong run through the regional tournament.

The losers of both games will meet at 6:30 p.m., and the winners will play Friday at 4 p.m.

        

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