Oklahoma Bandits rally, but fall to Three Rivers

By JEREMY SHORT
Press Sports Editor

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS June 18, 2009 02:09 pm

— The Oklahoma Bandits attempted to rally in each of the two games against Three Rivers on Wednesday night at Phoenix Park, but it was not enough as they dropped both games of the doubleheader.
In the first game, Three Rivers took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Bandits responded with two runs of their own to retake the lead 2-1. Jake Robinson scored on an error in the inning and Steven Chuculate had an RBI groundout to account for the two runs.
Three Rivers then took over the game in the second when they scored seven runs to take an 8-2 lead into the bottom of the second. They then added two runs in the third and three in the fourth to take a 13-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, Chase Goodnight cut the deficit to 13-4 after he blasted a two-run home run to right field.
Three Rivers then put the game out of reach with seven runs in the top of the fifth to push the lead back to 20-4.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Three Rivers used a five-run fourth to claim a 16-6 win over the Bandits.
After Three Rivers scored a pair of runs in their half of the first, Oklahoma quickly cut the deficit to one run with a Chuculate sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first.
The Bandits then took the lead in the second with two runs.
Derek Spencer had an RBI single to score Matt Crawley and Shay Richhart scored Levi Keeton on an RBI groundout.
Three Rivers then took command of the game with three runs in the third, five runs in the fourth and three in the fifth to take a 13-3 lead into the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Bandits fought off the run rule with three runs.
Chase Shankle had a two-RBI double and Robinson had an RBI single to cut the deficit to 13-6.
Three Rivers then scored three more runs in the top of the sixth and held the Bandits scoreless to claim a 16-6 win.
Oklahoma is now 4-9 on the season. They go on the road on Thursday to face Claremore for a nine inning game beginning at 6:30 p.m.