Published: May 12, 2008 11:14 am            

Buffs survive weekend at Class 5A State Tournament

The McAlester Buffaloes are still in the running for the Class 5A state title. The Buffs will have to win two games this afternoon to advance in the state tournament.

The first game is scheduled at 4 p.m. today against the No. 1 ranked team in the state, the Chickasha Chicks. If necessary, the Buffs will play the Chicks again and the winner will advance to the championship game.

The Chicks have crossed the road and have come into the path of the Buffaloes before. In the two tournament meetings, both teams have went away with a victory. The Buffs came out on top with a 6-4 win in the first game at the McAlester Shootout, in April.

The Chicks walked away with a 3-1 victory Saturday afternoon in the second meeting at Tulsa-Union Intermediate school.

Today, will mark the third and possibly the fourth time, these two top-ranked teams will play each other.

The city of McAlester and all surrounding towns, got through the tough weather Saturday — the Buffs are still walking through a tough road ahead, in Tulsa.

Not all weather is bad. Though the weather may have caused the fields to flood and caused the games to be rescheduled two days — the Buffs had one extra day to rest before butting heads with the Chicks, once again.

Sunday was a day of rest for the Buffs. They will have every pitcher on the roster available to throw during this afternoon’s match up.

The rain delays turned out to work in the Buffs’ favor, along with the remaining teams still competing in the tournament according to head coach Jacki Cumbie.

Justin Klusak has been resting since Friday afternoon. Klusak threw for the Buffs’ to get the first round win against the Deer Creek Antlers.

Anthony Trevino has one day’s rest, along with Tyler Akins. Trevino pitched the majority of Saturday afternoons game against the Chicks.

Akins pitched six innings to help the Buffs get the 7-4 victory over Deer Creek.

“It’s going to be go for us today,” Cumbie said. “We’re pretty confident — we’ve beat them before in McAlester.”

Contact Porky Falcon at pfalcon@mcalesternews.com

        

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