Buffs win in extra innings

By GLEN ELLER
Sports Editor

May 10, 2008 03:55 pm

— Justin Klusak’s hard-hit shot down the left field line scored Cameron Green from first base and the McAlester Buffaloes won in extra innings, holding off the Deer Creek Antlers in the first round of the Class 5A State Baseball Tournament Friday at Tulsa Union.
McAlester had to rally back twice during the game after falling behind to Deer Creek.
“It was good that we were able to come back from three and four run defects. We kept fighting, kept putting the ball in play and kept getting chances,” McAlester Head Coach Jackie Cumbie said.
“Fielding has been a big issue throughout the year. It is one of the big things we have been trying to improve on but, it bit us again yesterday.
“We are going to continue on and it’s going to have to shore up a bit. We are going to have to be able to make those plays that bail our pitcher out of a tough inning. Right now we aren’t making those plays.
“As it happens now, we are able to score enough runs to overcome those mistakes.”
The Buffs trailed 4-2 in the bottom of the third. Chad Barnett was on third base and was able to score while Deer Creek was trying to run down Klusak at first.
Klusak made it safely to second and Gio Lovera drove him in on an RBI single, tying the game for McAlester.
Deer Creek battled back and led 5-4 early in the fifth. A well-hit triple cleared the bases late and the Buffs trailed 8-4.
Not to be outdone, the Buffs rallied in the fifth themselves.
Klusak and Trevino were both walked and Lovera hit a single to load the bases.
First baseman Tyler Akins hit an RBI single scoring Trevino.
Tyler Crabtree hit a three RBI double that cleared the bases for the Buffs.
Klusak was the starting pitcher in the game and went seven innings for the Buffs.
With the score knotted at eight, Cumbie brought in Anthony Trevino to finish in extra innings.
Trevino had one of his best innings of the season and retired the Deer Creek batters in order, striking out two in the process.
“That’s what I am looking forward to. If he (Trevino) is that sharp in games it gives us a good chance to win. He really looked sharp, but this is the time of the year to start looking your best.”
McAlester was scheduled to play Chickasha Saturday at Tulsa Union.
The Buffs record for the season is 29-7.
Other games in the Class 5A tournament are at Tulsa Union; Chickasha 13, Skiatook 4 and Deer Creek 3, Skiatook 2. At Broken Arrow; Tulsa Kelley 5, Duncan 3; Bixby 3, Carl Albert 2 and Carl Albert 11, Duncan 6.
Contact Glen Eller at geller@mcalesternews.com

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