From walk-off drama to first-inning fireworks, Claremore baseball delivered a complete showcase at its own Tiger/Zebra Classic.
The Zebras (16-3) rallied for thrilling wins over Lincoln Christian and Hickman (Missouri) in a Friday night doubleheader at Legendary Legion Field before storming out to an eight-run first inning Saturday to run away from Branson (Missouri), finishing the tournament 4-0. They defeated Sallisaw in the tournament opener Thursday.
CLAREMORE 10, BRANSON 2
Marcos Sallee brought the thunder early, capping an explosive first inning with a two-run double that helped Claremore slam the door shut before Branson could blink.
The Zebras poured on eight runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back in a 10-2 win Saturday over Branson at Legendary Legion Field at Murray-Pixley Park, wrapping up a dominant showing in the Tiger/Zebra Classic.
Sallee set the tone with a run-scoring single to bring home Dan Harrington, then capped the outburst with a two-RBI double to left.
In between, Claremore loaded the bases three times and capitalized on a passed ball, three hit batters and two more RBI from Saxton Pickup, Connor Rowe and Curtis Waters to build an 8-0 cushion.
The Pirates responded with runs in the fourth on an RBI groundout from Lawson Michel and a single by Brennan Phifer, but the Zebras quickly stretched their lead in the bottom of the frame. Rowe doubled in Tyson Grimett, and Ryder Garrison followed with an RBI double to push the lead to 10-2.
Garrison earned the win on the mound, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four in five innings of work.
Sallee finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the offense. Rowe and Garrison each drove in a run and scored once, while Pickup led the defense with nine chances in the field as the Zebras didn’t commit a single error.
CLAREMORE 6, HICKMAN 5
With the crowd on its feet and the pressure mounting Friday night, Jax Van Valkenburg stepped into the box and delivered.
His two-run single to second base in the bottom of the eighth sealed a thrilling walk-off win for Claremore, as the Zebras edged Hickman 6-5 in the Tiger/Zebra Classic at Legendary Legion Field at Murray-Pixley Park.
Claremore trailed 5-4 entering the final frame after the Kewpies briefly took the lead on a sacrifice fly from Spencer Baehman, but the Zebras refused to go quietly.
A wild pitch allowed Garrison to cross home and tie the game, setting the stage for Van Valkenburg’s game-winning hit that scored Sallee from third.
Claremore had jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the second when Rowe knocked in Kellen Gaede with a single to left. Hickman tied the game at 1 in the fourth on a passed ball, but the Zebras reclaimed the lead in the fifth thanks to an RBI infield single from Grimett.
The Kewpies surged ahead 4-2 in the top of the seventh with a two-run single by Hank Cummings and an error that brought in another run. However, Claremore responded once more — Rowe drew a bases-loaded walk to score Jaden Franco, and Gaede scored on a wild pitch to force extras.
Gavin Bittle earned the win in relief, holding Hickman scoreless over the final 1.2 innings. Starter Pickup struck out six over 6.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs.
Offensively, Rowe led Claremore with two RBIs and went 2-for-3, while Van Valkenburg had the decisive walk-off hit. The Zebras stole six bases — including two each from Sallee and Harrington — and drew eight walks.
CLAREMORE 10, LINCOLN CHRISTIAN 6
Sallee’s towering home run in the bottom of the first lit the fuse for a relentless Claremore comeback.
After giving up an early run, the Zebras erupted with five of their own in the first inning and never looked back, downing Lincoln Christian 10-6 Friday night at Legendary Legion Field ...
