Sandites come from behind in extra innings to top Union 7-6 for 6th straight victory

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OU-commit Jake Terry is undefeated this season and got the save after pitching two innings against Union.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

It looked like the Charles Page High School baseball team (10-2) was about to end their win-streak as the Union Redskins (8-2) rode a 6-4 lead into the seventh, but Sandite-of-the-Week Hunter Greathouse smacked a single to right field to score Treyce Tolbert and kept the team's dreams alive. Josh Taber followed it up with a single of his own and Malachi Walton crossed home to force extra innings.

Josh Cordell (1-0) got the start on the mound for the Sandites, but University of Oklahoma-commit Jake Terry (4-0) got the win and the save after taking the mound in the seventh and striking out three over two innings with no runs.

The Sandites had a hard time getting on base to start the game as Treyce Tolbert, Rhett Rutledge, and Jake Ward grounded out in the first. Union's Landen Wood reached on an error and Braden Merrill and Devin Layton both singled to load the bases. Rutledge scooped up a groundball from Grady Davenport and pitched it to Tyler Tolbert at second to out Layton, then Tolbert sent it to Ward at first for a double play, but Wood made it home to draw first blood for the Redskins. Merrill scored next on a Greathouse fielding error as Ryan Farrell reached first, but the inning came to a close as Hector Carrillo lined out to Ty Fain in right field. 

Greathouse got the first hit of the game for the Sandites and survived three pick-off attempts but was ultimately stranded on second as Union came in to bat once more. 

Zach Ponio hit a home run over the left field fence to start the bottom of the second and Evan Jones hit a double into left field. Jones advanced to third on a passed ball, then was batted in by Cade Brown who in turn came in on a sacrifice by Merrill. The Sandites found themselves in a 5-0 hole and finally turned their bats on in the top of the third.

Fain was walked, Tyler McCallie singled on a hard grounder to left field, Fain survived four different pick-off attempts, and Treyce Tolbert hit a home run to left field to close the gap to 5-3. Rutledge, Ward, and Greathouse all flied out, but the boys were back in action. Cordell walked two in the bottom of the inning, but put out Jones on a popup and catcher Joey Montgomery caught Davenport stealing to hold the Redskins scoreless.

Trevor Tolbert singled in the top of the fourth and survived two pick-off attempts to come home on a throw. Fain hit a double but was left stranded as McCallie struck out. The Redskins stranded one in the bottom of the inning.

Both teams put two on base in the fifth and scored none. Montgomery singled in the sixth but courtesy runner Mack Thompson was caught stealing second to end the inning with McCallie at bat. The Redskins pushed their lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the sixth as Brown singled and stole his way around the bases before coming home on a passed ball. 

Sand Springs tied it up in the top of the seventh, however, as McCallie and Tolbert singled. McCallie was put out trying to take second, and Rutledge flew out, but that's when the magic happened. Ward hit a single and was replaced by Walton. Greathouse singled to score Treyce Tolbert, Taber singled to score Walton, and Terry relieved Cordell on the mound. Union flew out the first two batters of the seventh. Ponio singled with a hard grounder to left field and Bradyn Hall was walked, but Brown struck out looking and the Sandites were headed to extra innings for the first time this season.

In the eighth inning Montgomery singled and was replaced on base by Thompson who advanced to second on a Fain sacrifice and third on a McCallie single. Treyce Tolbert flied out to left field and McCallie was put out on second in a double-play, but not before Thompson made it home for the 7-6 lead. Terry gave up two singles to start and intentionally walked Davenport to load the bases, but struck out Layton and Farrell before Carrillo flew out to short and the save was secure. 

The Sandites will next take on the Bixby Spartans (8-1) Friday at 6:30. 

 

Sandite baseball wins fifth-straight with 8-5 victory at Bixby Tournament

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Story and photo by: Scott Emigh, Editor-in- Chief

Brock Youngblood got his first win on the mound for the season in a 8-5 victory over Hilldale (4-7) in the Bixby tournament opener. The Hornets marked the fifth straight win for the Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (9-2).

Youngblood gave up a double to Dawson Hogner in the first inning, but struck out Issac Isham and the next two batters flew out. Treyce Tolbert flew out to center field, but Rhett Rutledge tripled and came in on a sacrifice fly by Jake Ward for an early 1-0 advantage. Bryce Barrett walked Sandite-of-the-Week Hunter Greathouse and Josh Taber, but a fielder's choice put out Taber at second on a Trevor Tolbert groundball. 

Hilldale tied things up in the top of the second. Youngblood struck out Cody Walker and Dalton Folsom grounded out to third, but Morgan doubled with a center field fly and his courtesy runner came home on a passed ball.

Neither team landed a hit in their next at bats, but the Sandites broke open the game in the bottom of the third with four hits and five runs. Treyce Tolbert singled to start, Rutledge walked, and Ward singled to load the bases. All three advanced on a wild pitch that scored Tolbert, then Hunter Greathouse doubled to score Rutledge and Ward. Taber struck out and Trevor Tolbert was put out on a left field fly, but Mack Thompson was walked and Greathouse stole third with Joey Montgomery at bat. Montgomery smacked a double to score Greathouse and Thompson, then took third on a passed ball, but was left stranded as Jake Terry got put out at first on a dropped third strike. The explosive inning came to a close with the Sandites leading 6-1.

The Sandites nearly got in trouble of giving up their lead in the fourth as they gave up two singles, one by error, with one out. Youngblood picked off one runner at first, then struck Morgan with the pitch for a walk. Barrett doubled to score Walker, but the offensive came to a close as Kobe Kuykendall struck out swinging and the Sandites held a 6-2 advantage.

Treyce Tolbert walked to start the bottom of the fourth. Ward also walked but was outed on a fielder's choice to single Greathouse, and Taber was hit by pitch to load the bases with two outs. Barrett walked in Treyce as Trevor Tolbert reached base on balls, but Trevor was put out at second on a Thompson grounder.

Neither team scored in the fifth, despite the Sandites landing two on base. Jake Ward caught a fly out in foul territory in the sixth, then put out Walker on a groundball to Rutledge at short. Youngblood struck out his fourth batter of the game and the Sandites came in to score another run.

Rutledge reached on an error, Ward was hit-by-pitch, and Greathouse singled to score Rutledge. Josh Taber sacrificed to advance the runners and Trevor Tolbert walked to load the bases, but all three would be left stranded as Thompson struck out swinging and Montgomery grounded out to short.

 The Hornets were nearly handed another comeback attempt in the top of the seventh. After the first two batters were put out, the next three were walked to load the bases. Bailey Puckett doubled to score Kuykendall and Isham, and Hogner advanced home on a throw to make it 8-5. Their hopes were dashed on the next at-bat, however, as Aaron Sanders flew out to Treyce Toblert in centerfield and the Sandites secured their fifth-straight victory.

CPHS grad Nick Tate wins NAIA National Championship in 100-99 OT upset

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Photo by: Brian Beard, Creative Images Photography

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Charles Page High School Class of 2011 graduate Nick Tate is a basketball National Champion after scoring 14 points for No.4 Mid-American Christian University in a 100-99 overtime nail-biter upset against No.1 Georgetown, Kentucky.

Things never came together for Tate's class in high school. The Sandites went 14-46 over the three years that Tate was at Charles Page, but that didn't stop the talented player from averaging 22.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game his senior year. He was the leading 6A scorer on the East side of the state and made the Frontier Valley All-Conference First Team, Tulsa All-Metro Second Team, and was an honorable mention on the Oklahoma All-State Team. 

In April of 2011, Tate signed to play with Oklahoma Christian University and was one of the top outside shooters in the entire Heartland Conference. He played in 28 games as a true freshman, started two, and averaged 8.6 points per game. He had the second-best shooting percentage on the team at 48.6% and scored a season-high 22 points with 13 rebounds in a win over Crowley's Ridge. He recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in a NAIA playoff loss to eventual National Champion Concordia, California. 

His sophomore year he scored 13 points in a single period in a season-opening win over Central Bible College and went on to play in all 31 games and averaged 10.2 points and 4.3 rebounds with a 41.9% three-point shooting percentage. He hit a game-winning 18-foot turnaround buzzer-beater jump shot in overtime for a win over Arkansas-Ft. Smith and scored a career-high 23 points in a loss at St. Mary's, Texas, then led his team with 17 points in a win over Spring Arbor, Michigan in the NCCAA Championship quarterfinals in his team's first year in the league. That year he played in his first National Championship Title game, but lost to Shorter, Georgia in overtime. 

In his junior year he started 24 games and increased his scoring average to 14.4 points per game and was the second-leading scorer on the team. From there he transferred to Southwestern Oklahoma State University and redshirted due to NCAA Division II transfer rules. Instead of playing his senior year at SWOSU, he transferred again to Mid-American Christian University for his final year of eligibility.

This season he started 32 games and played in 35 for the Evangels and averaged 26 points and 6.7 rebounds per game to help his team post a 28-9 record. In January he was named the Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Week and in February he scored a career-high 33 against Southwestern Christian University.

The Evangels worked their way through the NAIA Division I Championship bracket this past week. Tate scored 10 points against Park and Biola, 3 in the quarterfinals against Cumberlands, 11 in the semis against Campbellsville, and 14 in the Championship game against Georgetown. 

Georgetown led for the entire game, once by as much as 14, till MACU ran 19-5 to tie the game up at 60 with 13:11 left. From there Georgetown was fighting to keep minor leads as the two teams exchanged baskets for the next 11 minutes. 

With 0:21 left, Chris Runnels hit a field goal to force overtime at 82-82. Georgetown hit four from the charity stripe to start the extra period, but MACU responded quickly, taking an 87-86 lead. The two teams exchanged the lead three more times before the Evangels finally won it. Trent Gilbert hit a three from the corner with less than five seconds to play for the Georgetown advantage, but Malcom Mann drove the distance and got off the buzzer-beater with a tenth-second left and the Evangels took home the first NAIA National Title in school history. Not only that, but it was the team's first ever National Title appearance in school history. 

Tate was a valuable piece of the puzzle in his team's Championship game, grabbing 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block, in addition to his 14 points. He was also named NAIA Player of the Year. Not a half-bad senior year, if you ask me.

Moore scores 10 runs in bottom of the sixth, but Sandites hold on for 11-10 victory

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Story and photo by: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

If Monday night's 7-6 victory over Moore was the Hollywood classic, Tuesday night's rematch was the action-packed reboot: same story, just far more explosions.

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (8-2) won their fourth-straight game Tuesday night at Moore (2-6), and their second straight against the Lions. Jake Ward (4-0) got the win on the mound and remains undefeated for the season. 

Treyce Tolbert hit a single on a hard ground ball to start the game, but was put out at second on a fielder's choice as Rhett Rutledge took first. Ward flied out to short, but Sandite of the Week Hunter Greathouse and Josh Taber were walked to load the bases. Trevor Tolbert singled to score Rutledge and Joey Montgomery sacrificed to bring in Greathouse for a 2-0 lead. 

Josh Detweiler singled for the Lions but was put out on a double play as Drew White grounded to Ward. Ty Fain was hit by pitch to top the second inning and Tyler McCallie singled. Fain was put out on the next play, however, as Treyce Tolbert reached on a fielder's choice. Rutledge sacrificed to bring in McCallie, but Ward grounded out to short and the Sandites went to field with a 3-0 advantage. They would come right back in soon after, however, as Ward only gave up one walk and no hits in the bottom of the second. 

The slow-rolling Sandite offense added yet another run in the top of the third. Greathouse singled but was put out on a fielder's choice that singled Taber. Trevor Tolbert advanced Taber to third on a sacrifice, and Montgomery doubled to bring the runner home. The bottom of the third fared no better for the host team as Conner Chapman and Masters were put out at first on dropped third strikes and Andrew Brewer flied out to Treyce Tolbert in center field.

In the fourth inning, Treyce Tolbert was walked, Rutledge doubled, and Ward brought Tolbert in on a sacrifice. Rutledge was left stranded. Detweiler singled for the Lions but was put out on a fielder's choice that put White on base. Joe Balak walked and Cooper reached on an error to load the bases. Two would be left stranded, however, as Matt Reeves and Cooper were outed on a double play.

Taber was hit by pitch to start the fifth, Trevor Tolbert struck out swinging, and Montgomery singled and was replaced by Cody Motes on base. Fain sacrificed to score Taber and the Sandites brought a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the inning. Logan Wint was walked, but Chapman and Masters both struck out swinging and Greathouse caught a Brewer fly in foul territory.

Both teams had their biggest offensive outputs in the sixth. McCallie, Treyce Tolbert, and Rutledge all singled to load the bases with no outs. Ward singled to score McCallie, Greathouse doubled to score Tolbert and Rutledge, and Taber singled to score Mack Thompson who was courtesy running for Ward. Trevor Tolbert flied out, Greathouse was put out at home on a fielder's choice as Montgomery reached first, but Taber scored on a passed ball for the 11th and final run of the evening for the Sandites. It would appear the game was all wrapped up and the Sandites had it in the bag.

That's when Moore exploded.

Detweiler doubled and White hit a homerun over the left field fence. Balak doubled and Greathouse relieved Ward on the mound. Cooper walked, Reeves reached first on catcher's interference, and the bases were loaded. Wint was walked to score Balak, Cooper scored on a Chapman single. Masters was walked, Brewer singled to score Alvarado (courtesy running for Reeves), Detweiler singled to score Chapman and Masters, and finally the Sandites found another out as White was struck out looking. The Lions weren't done yet, however. Balak hit yet another double, scoring Brewer. Detweiler and Balak came home on a throw as Cooper reached on error, and just like that it was 11-10 and the home team was putting up the most impressive rally attempt the Sandites had seen this season. 

In the top of the seventh, Jake Terry grounded out, Treyce Tolbert flied out, and Rutledge struck out looking. The Lions needed only two runs to win and they had just scored ten in a single inning. Greathouse saved the game striking out the side in order to hold the Lion rally fruitless for the second night in a row. 

The Sandites will return to action Thursday morning at 11:00 when they take on Hilldale (4-6) in the first round of the Bixby tournament.

 

 

 

Sandites split at Bixby, girls win 2-1, boys fall 2-0

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Story and Photo by: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity soccer teams are on two different paths right now.

The Varsity girls have amassed a 4-1 record this season, shutting out three opponents and mercy-ruling East Central 10-0 in only 23:00. Their only loss is 1-0 to Metro Christian (4-1). The girls rebounded from the Metro Christian loss with a 5-0 shutout of the Enid Pacers (2-1) and a 2-1 victory over the Bixby Lady Spartans (1-2). 

The boys, meanwhile, are sitting a 1-4, with their lone victory coming in a 4-0 shutout of Muskogee (0-4). From there they gave up losses of 4-0 to Metro Christian (4-1), 5-1 to Enid (3-1), and 2-0 to Bixby (1-3). 

The Spartans came into the Tuesday night match winless with losses to Bishop Kelley, Booker T, and Jenks, but finally found the win column with a pair of goals from Daniel Quiroga and Hunter Haugland. 

Like the girls game, the boys went into the second half scoreless on both sides, though it was the Spartans doing most of the pressing. Haugland got a sneaky corner shot halfway through the first half and instead of the keeper, it was Kristian Fairchild with the desperate save. 

Alex Hernandez took a shot with 19:02 left and landed it on top of the net. With 15:42 remaining, a Spartan shot narrowly swung wide and the home team continued the offensive press giving Edgar Soberano a pair of saves including a header with 0:42 left. 

Quiroga got the first goal of the game less than a minute into the second half, sending it into the top right corner for the first lead of the game. Jake Deloache nearly added another point a minute later but landed just a little bit wide. Haugland picked up where Deloache left off, however, and gave his team a 2-0 advantage four minutes later. 

There were a couple of close calls deep in the box at 28:16 from a bouncing ball that ultimately made its way over the goal. Less than a minute later Seth Ryan sent a shot high center. 

Worake Guy missed a pair of shots, one that was completely unguarded and would have been in had it not been a hair high, then another close miss minutes later. Miles Miller and Logan Cherry each took shots of their own but neither came close. 

Andrew Morrison set up Kaleb Brooks with a good look at 8:55 remaining, but the Spartan keeper snagged the save. The Sandites put forth their best offensive effort of the night in the final ten minutes, but were unable to rally despite several shots including an extremely close highball from Morrison. 

Kayla Foster and Kyndal Zicker score 2-1 victory over Bixby Lady Spartans

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Story and photo by: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Varsity girls have amassed a 4-1 record this season, shutting out three opponents and mercy-ruling East Central 10-0 in only 23:00. Their only loss is 1-0 to Metro Christian (4-1). Before Spring break the girls rebounded from the Metro Christian loss with a 5-0 shutout of the Enid Pacers (2-1) and a 2-1 victory over the Bixby Lady Spartans (1-2)

Kayla Foster has been the driving force in the last few games, scoring hat tricks against East Central and Enid. Foster, a senior Missouri University of Science and Technology signee, scored one goal in the Tuesday night victory, and Kyndal Zicker, a junior, scored one as well. 

It was a slow starter at the Bixby High School Soccer Complex. Zicker was deep in the box 4:00 in and actually got past the keeper, but some fancy footwork from a Spartan defender managed to sneak the ball back out to avert the Sandite score.

Kayla Foster took a sweet shot with 14:00 left but the keeper got a fantastic diving save and Sand Springs wouldn’t get another look till the second half. The Lady Spartans had a strong tailwind in their favor and spent the bulk of the first half in Sandite territory, but was unable to capitalize thanks to four great saves by Abigail Banks.

The second half should have been to the Sandites’ favor due to the wind, but it was actually the Lady Spartans who brought the strong offensive press, getting several close looks in the first ten minutes. Ally Spriggs took a hard close shot at the Sandite net that Banks barely deflected but quickly snatched up.

Mia Kitterman took an unguarded shot off an assist from older sister Ashlyn Kitterman that went slightly wide. Ashlyn Kitterman raced the keeper to the ball mere yards from the goal minutes later but was beat out.

11:00 into the half Brooklyn Eardley set up Foster deep in the box but the keeper dove right into the kick for the save. Less than a minute later, however, Foster finally got her shot and the Lady Sandites took the first lead of the game.

The veil over the goals had been lifted and next it was Ashlyn Kitterman finally finding her way into the goal with the game-tying shot seven minutes later. Zicker reclaimed the lead for Sand Springs 1:30 later and the Spartans would spend the next several minutes fighting desperately for a goal. Foster sent a free kick right into the keeper’s arms and the Spartans refused to give the ball back up.

Banks narrowly snagged a shot at the corner by Spriggs at 22:52 and Ashlyn Kitterman sent a hard high shot off the corner just three minutes later. The Spartans got off another pair of shots inside the final 10:00 and Banks got her fifth and sixth saves of the half. The Sandites kept the ball in midfield for the duration and nearly finished 3-1 as Zicker took another shot moments near the buzzer, but the ball went wide and the girls settled for a 2-1 victory and their fourth win of the season.