Baseball: Bishop Kelley tops Owasso
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
4/11/12 at 7:57 AM
OWASSO - Don't write off Bishop Kelley's chances of winning another state baseball title, just because the Comets moved up in classification.
The Comets won last year's 5A crown and made a statement Tuesday by knocking off one of Class 6A's best.
Keaton Forrest struck out eight while throwing six scoreless relief innings as the Comets downed No. 2 Owasso, 5-4, last year's 6A runner-up, in first-day action of the Rams' Nike/Pro Nine Classic at Stigall Field.
Starting pitcher Joey Zurawik had three hits and three RBIs as the Comets (16-8) won their 10th in a row while handing Owasso (18-3) its second straight loss.
"We got some quality at-bats tonight and a great job of pitching when (Forrest) came in there," head coach Scott Ellis said.
Kelley was forced to move up in classification this spring because of a new OSSAA regulation that targets private schools that have had repeated success in a particular sport. Last year's state title was the Comets' third in eight years.
The Comets started 6-8, but haven't lost since March 21.
"It took us a while to get our 6A legs under us," said Forrest, who was aided by two double plays by his infielders.
Kelley scored four times in the first inning off Owasso starter Braden Webb, and never relinquished the lead. Zurawik's two-run single was the big blow and Daniel Arthur and Jack Fischer also had RBI singles.
Owasso made it 4-2 on Austin O'Brien's sacrifice fly and Cory Taylor's run-scoring single in the bottom of the first, and 4-3 when Brandon Hale doubled, went to third on a passed ball and scored on a double play in the second.
With Forrest slamming the door for Kelley and Owasso's Connor Wichmann pitching well in relief of Webb, not another run scored until the seventh when Kelley scored one.
Donnie Walton led off with a single, went to second on a sacrifice, to third on Josh Hassell's single and scored on Zurawik's third hit to make it 5-3.
Colton Crocker led off the Rams' seventh by reaching secondon an outfield error, went to third on a flyout and scored on a wild pitch. But Forrest posted two strikeouts to end the game.
"They were better than us tonight," Owasso coach Larry Turner said. "Their pitcher took it to us, and we put ourselves in a bind. You can't beat defending championship baseball teams by spotting them four runs in the first inning."
BISHOP KELLEY 5, OWASSO 3
| Bishop Kelley |
400 |
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| Owasso |
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Zurawik, Forrest (2) and Arthur; Webb, Wichmann (3) and Whisler. W: Forrest (4-3). L: Webb (2-1).
Original Print Headline: Bishop Kelley tops Owasso
Mike Brown 918-581-8390
mike.brown@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Bishop Kelley starting pitcher Joey Zuwarik delivers in the first inning of Tuesday's game against Owasso in the Nike/Pro Nine Classic Tournament in Owasso. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World
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