Published: May 13, 2008 11:12 am            

State run ends for the Buffs with 4-3 loss to the Chicks

The McAlester Buffaloes’ baseball team fell short to the No. 1 ranked Chikasha Chicks, 4-3.

The Buffs (30-9) played tight baseball Monday afternoon, during the state quarter finals at Tulsa Union Intermediate.

It was a few key plays on offense and defense that determined the victor of the class 5A baseball game. During many parts of the game it was not curtain which team was going to come out on top.

A key play in the game was when the Chicks had the bases loaded with two outs. The Buffs’ senior pitcher Justin Klusak had two strikes on the batter — one more strike could have sent the Buff’s out of the inning. Instead it’s a hard, fast line shot over the head of the Buffs’ center fielder Anthony Trevino. Trevino gunned the ball home to stop anymore runners from advancing. The Chicks brought in three runs on that play that gave them the lead 3-2.

The Buffs catcher Tyler Crabtree was walked on base in the top of the fifth inning. Cameron Green had a base hit RBI to bring in Crabtree, that tied the game again at 3-3.

With a luck on the Chicks side, they scored a run off an error in the bottom of the fifth.

The Buffs couldn’t get a run home and the Chicks won 4-3 to end the Buffs’ run at the state title.

“Anytime that your season is over with, it’s kind of hard to take,” head coach Jackie Cumby said. “The emotions, memories, and a lot of other things all come at once.

The Buffs roster had 10 seniors on it — a few will get to move on and play at the next level, some of them may have had their last competitive baseball game they will ever get to play.

Emotions were high every pitch, every at bat counted.

South Eastern Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association (SEOBCA).

All the coaches in southeastern Oklahoma chose players to compete in an all-star game Wednesday evening at Mike Deak field.

Klusak, Green, Trevino, Tyler Akins, and Chad Barnett are all the McAlester players that will compete. The area players are: Rickey Morgan and Dalton Nelson, Hartshorne; Justin White, Canadian; Hunter Reed, Kiowa; Payton Brewer, Savanna; David Clayborn, Stuart; and Drae Murdaugh, Crowder.

The home run derby is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. followed by the all-star game at 7 p.m. at Mike Deak field.

SEOBCA coach of the year is Hartshorne Miners head coach Justin James.

        

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