Published: June 29, 2009 10:39 pm      

Guthrie tops Antlers in Red Dirt League semifinals

WARR ACRES — Corbin Crockett didn’t give the Deer Creek batters much to work with on Monday evening. The Antlers hung a run on the Guthrie senior in the top of the first inning, but it wasn’t enough, as they fell 3-1 in the semifinals of the Red Dirt League Tournament at Putnam City High School.

“It was one of those games where we just hit it right at them, but their pitcher came out and hit his spots,” Deer Creek coach Nathan Copher said. “He was up there showing them who’s boss.”

Crockett threw a complete game for the Bluejays, giving up just one run on four hits with five strikeouts.

Michael Fulmer was nearly as impressive for the Antlers. The junior surrendered just two earned runs on three hits with nine strikeouts in five innings of work.

“(Fulmer) just had one bad inning and that was it, he threw well, but we just couldn’t find a hole,” Copher said.

Zach King had two of the Antlers’ four hits, finishing the night 2-for-3 at the plate. Brian Anderson went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

Deer Creek struck first when they put a run on the board in the first inning. Anderson reached with a double to center field, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Cale Coshow.

But Guthrie came right back and grabbed the lead in the home half of the inning. Fulmer struck out the first two batters, then gave up a walk and a two-run homer to John Cotton, making it a 2-1 Guthrie lead.

The Bluejays added to their lead in the sixth. Bryan Dutton drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a sacrifice bunt by Cotton, making it a 3-1 game.

The Antlers advanced to Monday’s semifinals with a strong showing over the weekend. They pulled out a pair of wins on Saturday, beating Putnam City 7-1, before edging Anadarko 6-3. Deer Creek then came back again Sunday afternoon with a 9-1 run-rule victory over Anadarko.

“I think maybe having to come back through the loser’s bracket wore them down, but don’t take anything away from Guthrie they did a good job,” Copher said.

Deer Creek finished the summer season with a 28-4 record, including a perfect 14-0 record in regular season play.

Cotton led the way for the Bluejays, going 1-for-2 with a homer and three runs driven in.

Guthrie (29-7) will play either Yukon or Carl Albert for the Red Dirt League Championship tonight at 7 p.m. at Putnam City High School.