One daring steal of home by Mac West punctuated a six-run fourth inning that turned a close game into a runaway win for Verdigris.
The Cardinals pulled away from Miami in a 10-2 victory Saturday at Inola High School during the Haytown Classic, using a fourth-inning offensive eruption to seize control after trailing early.
Verdigris (12-5) found itself in a 2-0 hole after the Wardogs opened the top of the first with sacrifice flies from Tanner Searcy and Bryce Barnes.
However, West quickly erased the deficit in the bottom half with a two-run double to left field, scoring Barrett Marlow and Boston Acosta to tie the game.
An RBI single from Marlow in the second gave the Cardinals the lead for good, and Ethan Hushbeck added insurance in the third with a solo home run to left.
Then came the fireworks in the fourth.
With the bases loaded, Landon Wine drew a walk to force in a run, followed by Hushbeck’s RBI single. West delivered again, this time with a two-run single to center, and Ian Lane’s RBI knock made it 9-2.
West capped the rally by stealing home to extend the lead to eight.
West finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs to lead Verdigris offensively, while Hushbeck also collected two hits and two RBIs. Marlow added two hits and a run batted in.
Valen Ward earned the win on the mound, tossing five innings of two-hit ball while striking out seven and allowing two runs.
The Cardinals also played clean defense, turning a double play and swiping four bases in the win.
