Defending 6A baseball champion Owasso regains its dominant form with run-rule victory

By Mike Moguin

Owasso photo by Owasso Baseball Twitter page 

OWASSO - Owasso played dominant style baseball Monday night, reflecting the defending Class 6A state champion it is in a 12-2 run-rule win against Putnam City North at Stigall Field.

The victory was a welcomed result for the Rams (10-6 overall, 4-1 in District 6A-3) after being dealt a 7-1 setback to Edmond Santa Fe Saturday in the Broken Arrow/Jenks Festival.

Jackson Farrell impacted Monday's game, most significantly on the mound, finishing with a one-hitter, giving up two unearned runs, and recording 10 strikeouts. At the plate, he went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run batted in.

“It’s always good to get wins on Monday and Tuesday district games,” Owasso coach Larry Turner said.

“Jackson has been doing a really good job for us; I think in his last outing, he had 15 strikeouts. He’s been a real gamer for us. Glad he is over here with us.”

Cooper Harrell made the biggest play of the evening at bat. With the Rams up 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning with no outs and the bases loaded, he blasted the ball into center field and circled the diamond as the other runners scored.

But when Harrell reached third base, PC North third baseman Nathan Richey got the ball from center fielder Landon Fonzi in time to tag him out. Harrell would be credited with a three-run double and it was 4-0.

Catcher Baylor Corbin walked, but the next two batters went down by strikes and a tag at first.

Brandon Floyd delivered an RBI single earlier in the inning for the Rams’ first run.

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Despite having a solid night, Farrell did get challenged.

He had back-to-back dropped third strikes to lead off the top of the second. The Panthers’ Daymien Martinez started to go to first after his, but Corbin quickly tagged him for the first out.

But their next guy, designated hitter Kyle Edwards, made it when a wild pitch was made. Farrell then walked Cayden Swart and Kolby Booth and the bases were loaded.

However, Farrell got himself out of the jam as he struck out the next two batters to end the side.

Owasso doubled its run total in the bottom of the second.

With one out, Farrell drew a walk, Floyd was hit by a pitch, then Luke Williams walked. Brodie Amberson then belted a two-run single and it was 6-0.

Harrell then drove in another run with a base hit, and Amberson added the eighth run on a PC North wild pitch, making it 8-0.

Amberson (two runs) and Harrell (two doubles) each finished 2-for-2 with four RBIs for the Rams.

“We had a real good night swinging the bat for sure,” Turner said. “Their pitcher (Jared Hinkle) was good, it was just our night.”

Owasso increased its lead to 11-0 in the third on the account of an RBI double from Farrel and Amberson's second two-RBI single of the night.

Dylan Gardner drove in the last Ram run with a single in the bottom of the fourth.

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Headed into the top of the fifth, Owasso needed to just make three quick outs to get the run rule and for Farrell to complete a no-hitter and a shutout. But tired arms gave way as the Rams made errors, allowing Panther runners to get on base and make some runs, creating suspense.

“We didn’t execute very well there in the fifth inning for sure,” Turner said. “We let them score a couple of runs and didn’t make a couple of routine plays, and you got to be able to do that.”

An errant throw from shortstop to first base allowed Aaron Wall to get on the basepaths. Farrell would strike out Rocco Carattini swinging.

Sloan Foster then singled for PC North’s first hit, snuffing out the no-hitter.

Another error permitted Richey to reach first and the bases were loaded. A wild pitch allowed the runners to advance, including Wall for the first run, ending the shutout bid.

A Ram fan promptly yelled, “Make some plays.”

Another miscue moved Fonzi, then Foster scored when Richey was forced out at second, making it a 10-run margin. 

One more run by PC North and the game would continue on regularly.

But Farrell fanned out Martinez and the game was over.

In the losing cause, Hinkle allowed 11 runs, 10 earned, on seven hits, four walks, and delivered four strikeouts.

PC North is now 4-10 and 0-5 in 6A-3.

Owasso stands in third place in the district behind Broken Arrow (13-2, 5-0) and Jenks (9-6, 4-0).

“I think we’re starting to get our identity,” Turner said. “We’ve been seeing some new faces after graduating so many guys last year, but our pitchers give us a chance.

"We got a couple of guys still hurt. When we get them back, it will make our club more solid. But, hopefully, we can get there and have an opportunity in May.”