Published: May 08, 2008 05:07 pm            

Antler are state bound

Deer Creek has been finding different ways to win on the diamond all year long. The Antlers brought the creativity bug with them again on Thursday evening, along with a visit from lady luck.

“Over the course of the year, we’ve had to go out and win games different ways, and today was just a different way,” Deer Creek coach Ron Moore said.

Ardmore left-hander Stanton St. Claire dominated the Antler hitters for much of the night, but that all changed in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Tigers' wheels fell off. Deer Creek scored two runs on a balk and an RBI-single by Cale Coshow to tie the game 2-2. But with two outs and two men on, Moore took a gamble.

Blake Anderson intentionally attempted to get caught in rundown at first base, giving Bennett Aduddell a score from third base.

“I had to look twice at the coach, and ask my assistant coach to make sure he’d actually called the play,” Anderson said.

The Tigers bit on the play and went for Anderson at first. Later Ardmore first baseman Keith Todd fired home, but his throw struck St. Claire, and Aduddell easily crossed the plate, giving the Antlers a 3-2 win and a berth in the Class 5A state tournament.

“To head back to the state tournament our first two years in 5A says a lot about our kids, our community and our program,” Moore said.

The Antlers have high hopes this year, after qualifying for state for the third year in a row, and second since moving up to Class 5A last season.

“We’re looking to do a little more damage then we have the last two years, when we went two and out,” Anderson said.

Deer Creek pitcher Zach King got off to a shaky start in the first inning, but quickly found his rhythm on the mound. The lefty surrendered three base hits and a pair of runs in the top of the first inning.

But that would be the only hitting Ardmore would muster, as King allowed just four runners to reach base the rest of the night. While King mowed down the Tigers, the Antler bats could not get anything going against St. Claire. Deer Creek drew six walks in the game, but did not pick up a base hit until the fourth inning, when Tyler Price singled to left field.

“I was just trying to stay calm, keep patient and get the win,” King said.

The Antlers’ next base hit came in the sixth inning, when Matt Fream and Coshow picked up back-to-back singles, tying the game 2-2.

After the thrilling sixth-inning rally, King forced Shaun Smith to popup, and fanned the next two batters to close out the night.

King (10-2) picked up the win, allowing one earned run on three hits.

Deer Creek will head to Broken Arrow or Tulsa Union Wednesday for first-round action in the state tourney.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.