The Central Tigers came in second at last weekend’s Checotah Tournament as they lost 11-9 to Vian in Saturday’s title game after routing Pocola 15-3 in Thursday’s opener and getting past Stilwell 7-5 in Friday’s semifinals.
The week began with an 8-0 home win over Colcord on April 15, but then the Tigers lost 12-7 at Panama on April 16.
In the title game loss to Vian, the Wolverines broke a 9-all tie with a two-run seventh inning after the Tigers (14-14) tied the game at 9 with a seven-run sixth inning, which was highlighted by Connor Green’s three-run double and a game-tying double by Hardy Buzzard.
In defeat, Aiden Sainer was 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored, Meeko Ariza doubled and scored once, Green doubled with three runs batted in and a run scored and Buzzard doubled with an RBI.
Waylen Campbell suffered the loss in relief, going 2.1 innings with a strikeout. Connor Walters went the first 4.1 innings with four strikeouts. Cade Tucker got the final out of the game.
In the semifinal victory over Stilwell, a threerun sixth inning rallied the Tigers from a 5-4 deficit to a 7-5 victory.
For the game, Buzzard was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Walters was 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored for Central.
Buzzard got the win in relief, going the final three innings with two strikeouts. Bo Locust started the game and went the first 3.1 innings with five Ks.
In Thursday’s win over Pocola, the Tigers rallied from a 3-1 firstinning deficit with a four-run second inning and a five-run fourth inning for a 10-3 lead. A five-run fifth inning put the game into run-rule status.
For the contest, Tucker was 4-for-4 with three doubles, with two RBIs and two runs scored, Sainer was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored and Locust doubled with two RBIs and two runs scored for Central.
Ryker Miller got the five-inning, completegame victory as he fanned four batters and threw a two-hitter.
In the loss to Panama, the Razorbacks rallied from a 1-0 first-inning deficit with a five-run third inning and a three-run fourth inning to take an 8-1 lead after four innings.
In defeat, Walters was 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored, Locust was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in and Buzzard doubled and scored once.
Locust took the loss, going the first 2.2 innings with three strikeouts. Walters got the final out of the third inning by strikeout, then Campbell went the final three innings with a strikeout.
There was no more information reported by press time on the win over Colcord.
After the Tigers played their Senior Night home game against Inola on Monday, they will begin the playoffs by traveling to Warner for the Class 2A District Tournament, with a 2 p.m. doubleheader Thursday getting things started. If both teams split Thursday’s games, a winner-take-all district championship game will take place on Friday.
