Sandite Baseball falls 17-8 in shootout with Sunrise Mountain

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (3-5) had their best game of the season at the plate against Sunrise Mountain (7-3), but couldn't get it done on the mound and fell 17-8 in the fourth round of the Best of the West Tournament.

The Sandites broke .400 for the first time this year with nine hits, but gave up nineteen hits and went through four pitchers before settling on Braden Millican (0-0) in his varsity debut on the mound.

Senior Josh Taber hit a lead-off single for Sand Springs and was joined on the very next pitch by Mack Thompson. Taber was put out at home on a fielder's choice, but Thompson scored on a single from Braden Askew. Hunter Greathouse stole home soon after, and the Sandites took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the first.

It would be their only lead of the game, however. 

Askew (0-2) got the start and the loss on the mound and gave up a double to Tyler Pruitt, then walked Troy Balko. EJ Sua singled to score Pruitt, Caleb Thomason singled to load the bases, then Jacob Hamrick doubled to score all three runners. Hamrick came home soon after on a single from Alec Myers. The Mustangs took a 5-2 lead and Brock Youngblood (0-2) took over on the mound to finish out the inning.

Sunrise deepened the divide in the second inning with five hits for four runs. Sua doubled and scored on a triple from Thomason. Thomason scored on a triple from Hamrick, Hamrick scored on a double from Caden Albertson, and Albertson scored on a double from Myers for a 9-2 advantage. 

Riley Rutledge (0-0) gave up the run to Albertson before closing out the second. 

Sand Springs made a valiant effort at a comeback in the top of the third and came close to tying it up. Taber singled and scored on single from Greathouse. Treyce Tolbert was hit by pitch and Rutledge singled to load the bases with one out. 

Cale Savage was walked to score Tolbert, Kylar Copeland walked to score Greathouse, and Cal Watkins singled to score courtesy runner Lucas Adcock. Ty Steelman bunted to score courtesy runner Kameron Adcock, but was left stranded on the next play as Taber flied out leaving Sunrise Mountain still in the lead at 9-8.

The Mustangs cushioned their lead in the bottom of the inning as Daniel Partida singled, stole second, then scored on a catcher's error. Connor Dennis (0-0) made his season-debut on the mound after Rutledge walked Pruitt. Pruitt then scored on a double by Sua, who in turn scored on a single by Thomason to make it 12-8.

Millican went to the mound in the bottom of the fourth. Ethan Snodgrass scored on a single from Partida and Sua doubled to score Partida and Austin Sturgeon to make it 15-8. Joey Agate and Roman Carrillo scored on a single from Kody Decker for the final score of 17-8.

Millican spent two full innings on the mound, struck out two batters, walked one, and gave up four hits and only one earned run.

The Sandites will return to action Wednesday in the first round of bracket play.

Sandites notch two-straight wins at Best of the West Tournament, Greathouse homers

Nationally-ranked Chaparall deals Sandites 12-2 loss at Best of the West tournament

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (3-4) got off to a rough start in the first round of the Best of the West tournament in Phoenix, Arizona, but rebounded from a 12-2 loss to Chaparall High School (10-1-1) with back-to-back wins.

The Scottsdale, Arizona-based team jumped on the Sandites hard and fast with ten runs in the first two innings Saturday, taking an insurmountable lead and holding on for a 12-2 victory. The Firebirds are ranked 24th in the nation by MaxPreps.

Brock Youngblood (0-2) got the start and the loss, giving up seven hits and seven earned runs in his time on the mound. Jacob Gonzalez hit a 2RBI home run for the Firebirds in the bottom of the first, scoring Gianni Tomasi who singled. Griffin Hampton also singled, but was left stranded after Drew Wayland struck out.

Cowley County Community College-signed senior Hunter Greathouse was first on base for the Sandites with a lead-off double to center field. He took third on a passed ball and tagged up on a fly out to center field to put Sand Springs on the scoreboard. 

Chaparral brought the rain in the bottom of the second with eight runs. Kenny Littlefair doubled and scored on a single from Karsten Householder. Householder scored on a triple from Will Fuenning who in turn scored on a fly out by Ian McMillan. Tomasi walked and came in on yet another homer by Gonzalez. 

Ty Steelman (0-0) relieved Youngblood on the mound for his pitching debut and walked Blake Paugh. He gave up a single to Hampton and both runners scored on a single from Wayland. Steelman recorded his first strikeout against Littlefair, but Householder singled and Fenning was hit by pitch to load the bases. Steelman walked McMillan to score Wayland, but Tomasi flied out to Braden Askew in left field to strand loaded bases.

Kameron Adcock singled in the third, Treyce Tolbert doubled in the fourth, and Braden Cook walked, but all three were left stranded. 

Riley Rutledge (0-0) took over pitching in the bottom of the fourth for his career-debut on the mound.

The Sandites got off to a good start in the fifth inning as Askew singled and Adcock and Mack Thompson drew walks to load the bases. Askew scored on a fielder's choice to cut the lead to 10-2, but Cal Watkins struck out and Greathouse flied out to center field to strand loaded bases.

Chaparral added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to clench the game by run rule.

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Hunter Greathouse scores 2 RBI, strikes out 6 in win over Sunnyslope

The Sandites took on Sunnyslope High School (2-10) in the second round of the Best of the West Tournament and handily trumped the Phoenix, Arizona-based team 6-2 behind the versatile arm of Cowley County Community-College signed senior Hunter Greathouse (2-1).

Greathouse got the start and the win on the mound, pitching six strikeouts over five innings against four walks and three hits. 

Sunnyslope was first on the scoreboard as Casey Markham scored on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the first. Kyler Copeland tied it up in the top of the third, however, on a single from senior Josh Taber. The Vikings reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning as Manny Ramirez singled, advanced to third on a sacrifice by Markham, and stole home with Matt Schrader at the plate.

It was Treyce Tolbert's turn to tie things up in the fourth inning, scoring on a bunt by Greathouse. Mack Thompson gave the Sandites the lead in the fifth inning, singling to score Taber and Cale Savage, who also singled. 

Lucas Adcock added another run in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Copeland, then Greathouse singled in the top of the seventh to score Tolbert for the final 6-2 lead.

Thompson (0-0) relieved Greathouse on the mound for the final two innings and recorded a save, giving up only one hit against three strikeouts.

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Hunter Greathouse scores five RBI, one home run in win against Liberty

The Sandites picked up their second-straight win against the Liberty Lions (9-4) out of Peoria, Arizona, thanks in part to salty slugging from Cowley County Community College-signed senior Hunter Greathouse. 

Greathouse hit the first home run of the season for the Sandites and accompanied it with a triple for two runs and five RBI in the 8-5 victory. Senior pitcher Josh Cordell (1-0) got the start and the win on the mound, while senior Mack Thompson (0-0) pitched the final two innings and recorded his second save of the season.

It was a slow starter, with neither team getting on base till Braden Millican singled in the top of the third. He was put out two plays later, however, advancing to home on a sacrifice bunt by Kameron Adcock. 

Liberty took their first crack at getting on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth as Derek Legeza was hit by pitch and Nick Hamilton singled, but Legeza was caught stealing home and Hamilton was left stranded.

Sand Springs finally took the lead in the top of the fifth as Millican reached on a fielder's choice, took second and third on a single passed ball, then scored on a fly out by Cal Watkins. 

The Sandites lit it up in the top of the sixth as Greathouse homered to score Thompson and Treyce Tolbert. Braden Askew doubled, Cale Savage singled, and Millican singled to bring in Askew for the 5-0 lead.

The Lions finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth after Legeza walked and Tyler Hajjar doubled. Thompson relieved Cordell on the mound and gave up a line drive 2RBI double to Hamilton. 

Greathouse had another big at-bat in the top of the seventh, scoring Tolbert and Riley Rutledge on a triple. He scored two plays later on a sacrifice fly from Savage. 

Liberty tried to make a comeback in the final stretch as Trevor Felan, Brady Welch, and Kai Tuita all singled to load the bases. All three advanced on a passed ball, then courtesy runner Dallin Montez scored on a groundball by Legeza. Tuita cut the lead to 8-5 on a groundball from Hajjar, but the game came to a close with a fly ball to Tolbert.

Sandite Baseball drops 5-1 district road game at Enid

Treyce Tolbert scored the lone RBI in a 5-1 loss to Enid Tuesday night. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (1-3 overall, 0-2 district) is off to a rocky start in the 2017 season, dropping their third-straight game Tuesday night at Enid High School (2-2, 2-2).

Following a Monday night 4-0 loss at home to the Plainsmen, Sand Springs traveled to Enid's home field for 5-1 district defeat that saw only one Sandite reach base before the seventh inning.

The Plainsmen jumped on the Sandites fast and early, retiring the side in order, then scoring three runs in the first inning. Ambrien Votiek drew a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Mason Skrimager. Connor Gore sent Votiek to third with a groundball single, then Kros Bay brought him home with an RBI single to center field. Brett Russel was hit by pitch to load the bases, then both Gore and Bay scored on a single from Colby Jarnagin.

Treyce Tolbert got on base for the Sandites in the top of the second with an error by the shortstop, but was left stranded after Skrimager struck out Hunter Greathouse, Braden Cook, and Cale Savage.

Skrimager reached first on an error in the bottom of the third, then stole second before being caught going for third by catcher Kameron Adcock.

CJ Arndt added a fourth run for the Plainsmen in the fourth inning, reaching on a double and scoring on a single from Braden Pierce. Votiek walked in the fifth inning, stole second and third, then scored on a wild pitch for the fifth and final run.

Skrimager continued his impressive pitching in the top of the sixth, striking out the side in order, then the Plainsmen landed another hit on a groundball single from Russel. Arndt grounded into a double play from Greathouse at third to Ty Steelman at second, then to Savage at first to end the inning and give the Sandites one last shot.

Cal Watkins flied out into foul territory. Josh Taber sent a line drive into left field for a single, then took second on a wild pitch. Greathouse grounded out, but Taber took third on the throw, then scored on a single from Tolbert. It would be the lone run of the game for the Sandites as Cook grounded out to short on the next play.

Braden Askew (0-1) got the start and the loss on the mound with six hits, five runs, two strikeouts, and three walks. Mack Thompson relieved him in the final inning and gave up one hit.

Sand Springs will return to action this weekend at the Best of the West tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. They will play out-of-state teams Chaparral High School, Sunnyslope High School, Liberty High School, and Sunrise Mountain High School over the course of the Spring Break tournament.

Greathouse pitches ten strikeouts in loss to Enid Plainsmen

Senior shortstop Mack Thompson is the only Sandite to land a base hit in all three games this season. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (1-2 overall, 0-1 district) hosted the Enid Plainsmen (1-2, 1-0) in their district debut Monday evening, but stranded ten runners for their second-straight shutout loss.

Cowley County Community College-signed senior Hunter Greathouse (1-1) got the start and the loss on the mound, despite an excellent performance with ten strikeouts and only four hits with two walks. 

The Plainsmen were first to reach base with a single from Ambren Votiek, but Greathouse struck out two of the next three batters and caught a pop fly from the third to retire the side.

Mack Thompson was first to the plate for the home team and reached first on a ground ball to left field. He stole second and was joined by Treyce Tolbert who reached on error. Both runners tried for a steal with Greathouse at bat. Thompson was successful, but Tolbert was caught at second and Greathouse grounded out to strand Thompson.

The visitors made their way onto the scoreboard in the top of the second as Colby Jarnagin singled, stole second, then scored on an error at the plate. 

The Sandites loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth and were in good position to at least tie the game after Greathouse singled, Ian Baker walked, and Braden Cook was hit by pitch with only one out on the board. Unfortunately, Braden Askew grounded to short for a double play.

The Plainsmen tacked on another pair of runs in the top of the fifth as CJ Arndt walked, made his way to third on an error by Ty Steelman, then came home on a bunt single by Votiek. Votiek came home on a throw after Mason Skrimager singled to right field.

Thompson sent a fly ball to left field in the bottom of the fifth for his second hit of the game, then took second on a sacrifice by Cal Watkins, but was caught trying to take third on an error. 

Brock Youngblood (0-1) relieved Greathouse on the mound to start the sixth and gave up a double to Gore and a single to Kros Bay. Brett Russel sacrificed to bring in Gore for the 4-0 lead and the final run of the game.

The Sandites had a few more opportunities to score as Josh Taber reached on an error in the sixth and Cook walked, but both were stranded. The seventh inning was a rehash of the sixth with Kyler Copeland walking and Tolbert reaching on an error, but once more they were unable to score and the Plainsmen took home their first win of the season. 

Braden Pierce received the win and Colton Troxell was credited with a save.

The two teams will return to action Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in a rematch on the Plainsmen's home field.

Sapulpa Chieftains win first installment of Highway 97 rivalry, thanks to late Sandite error

Senior pitcher Josh Cordell struck out six Chieftains in the 1-0 Saturday loss, giving up only two hits. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (1-1) suffered their first loss of the season Saturday afternoon at the hands of their biggest rivals. The Sandites and Sapulpa Chieftains (1-0) were all locked up and scoreless till the bottom of the seventh inning when the home team drew a lucky break to clinch the victory. 

Senior Josh Cordell (0-0) got the start on the mound and gave up two hits and one walk against six strikeouts before being relieved in the seventh inning. Brock Youngblood (0-1) came in for the final stretch and suffered the loss with a single hit. 

Senior shortstop Mack Thompson started things off for the Sandites with a ground ball single into left field, but was left stranded after stealing second as the next three hitters all flied out. 

Sapulpa starting pitcher Jacob Esch walked Ian Baker and Ben Banker in the second inning but managed to strand both with a strikeout. The first Chieftain hit came in the bottom of the inning on a line drive double into left field from Gage Williams, but nothing would come of it.

The back and forth exchange continued with neither team finding home plate.

Both teams went through the entire game without committing a single error, right down to the final stretch. Then Sapulpa nearly got themselves in trouble in the top of the seventh. After the first two Sandites grounded out, Cal Watkins reached on an error by relief pitcher Robert Lino, then advanced to second on yet another error. The home team pulled out of it, however, and stranded Watkins on second as Treyce Tolbert grounded out to Lino.

Alan Shibley came in clutch for the Chieftains, sending a fly ball to center field for a double. This time it was the Sandites' turn to commit an error as William returned to the plate and sent a ground ball to third baseman Hunter Greathouse. Greathouse sent the fielder's choice to second, but overthrew Watkins, giving Shibley time to round home plate for the walk off victory. 

Sand Springs will return to action Monday evening with their district-debut against Enid (0-2 overall, 0-2 district) at home. Sapulpa will host Deer Creek (0-0) for their first district game of the season, also on Monday. The Highway 97 rivals will get a rematch on March 31st, this time on the Sandites' home field. 

Sandite Baseball wins season-opener 10-2 against Tulsa Jaguars

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (1-0) officially kicked off the season Thursday night with a 10-2 home victory over the defending Homeschool Division I National Champions, the Tulsa NOAH Jaguars (0-1). Cowley County Community College-signed senior Hunter Greathouse (1-0) got the start and the win on the mound, striking out six batters and giving up only one hit.

The visiting Jaguars struck first after a rocky start to the game. After the first batter flied out to Treyce Tolbert in center field, Nathaniel Moss drew a walk, advanced to third on an error, then scored on a wild pitch. The next batter grounded out to Mack Thompson at shortstop, then Greathouse picked up his first strike out of the season to bring his boys in to bat.

Cal Watkins singled in the first plate appearance of his varsity career, then scored on a line drive single from Greathouse to tie the game. The Sandites took the lead in the bottom of the third as Riley Rutledge ran courtesy for Greathouse and scored on an error at third base. Jaguar pitcher Kaden Alexander walked a pair of Sandites and Braden Askew scored on a single from Kameron Adock.

Greathouse gave up a single and a walk in the top of the fourth, but followed them up with a pair of strikeouts and Brooks Antle grounded out to Ben Banker at first. The Sandites added three more runs in the bottom of the inning as Askew walked on loaded bases to score Watkins, who also walked, and Ian Baker batted in Braden Cook and Ben Banker. Banker had been hit by pitch and Cook was walked as well. 

NOAH got back on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth. Askew relieved Greathouse on the mound and struck out his first batter, but walked Evan Jacoby who scored on a sacrifice fly by Ben Replogle. 

Sand Springs continued to wreak havoc in the bottom of the fifth as senior Mack Thompson doubled on a fly ball to left field, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Watkins. Tolbert followed it up with a single, stole second, then advanced home on a catcher's error. Braden Millican ran courtesy for Cook, who walked, stole second, then scored on a single from Askew. Baker was next at bat and sent a line drive single into center field to score Banker for the final run of the evening.

The Sandites are returning from a 21-14 season and graduated seven players and six regular starters. They will return to action Saturday at 2:00 p.m. with a Highway 97 Rivalry game in Sapulpa.