Berryhill slips past Jenks

BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Saturday, April 14, 2012
4/14/12 at 5:30 AM

OWASSO - Berryhill put the squeeze on Jenks and rallied to beat the Trojans in the seventh inning for the second straight year.

The Class 4A No. 1 Chiefs scored four times on squeeze bunts - including three times in the top of the seventh - and pulled out a 5-3 win Friday night to reach the championship game of Owasso's Nike/Pro Nine Classic at Stigall Field.

Mason Million, Justin Jackson and Dyce Applegate pulled off successive squeeze bunts in the top of the seventh as the Chiefs scored four times to erase a 3-1 deficit.

Nick White also squeezed home a run in the sixth after winning pitcher Christian Davidson tripled.

"We work a lot at bunting the ball," Berryhill head coach Brian Hailey said.

The comeback had a déjÃ vu feel. The Chiefs (26-2) also rallied to beat the Trojans in last year's third-place game, winning on Zach Jackson's three-run homer in the top of the seventh.

This time, they'll face 6A No. 11 Bishop Kelley (19-8) for the tournament title at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Both teams finished 4-0 in pool play. Kelley ran its winning streak to 13 with a 12-4 win over Durant.

The 6A No. 7 Trojans (21-10) will play No. 2 Owasso (20-2) for third place at 5:30 p.m.

Davidson scattered eight hits and didn't wilt when Jenks took a 3-1 lead in the sixth on Derek Brumble's leadoff single and RBI singles by Brett Humphrey and Brent Ripperger.

"He came to us in the seventh and asked if we wanted to get another pitcher ready, but I said we're going with you because you got us here," Hailey said.

Jackson singled to lead off the seventh, R.J. Stout was hit by a pitch and Tyler Rosenquist reached on an infield hit to load the bases.

Million bunted home the first run and the tying run scored on an error. Jackson and Applegate followed with squeeze bunts and the Chiefs led 5-3.

"It's a tough one, but you've gotta make some plays. (Berryhill) made the plays, and unfortunately we didn't," Jenks coach Dennis Keeley said.

Jenks 3, Berryhill 0

Berryhill	000	001	4	-	5	4	0
Jenks	000	102	0	-	3	8	3

Davidson and White; Stafford and Kanady. W: Davidson. L: Stafford.

Mike Brown 918-581-8390
mike.brown@tulsaworld.com