BASEBALL: Claremore falls to Noble in 5A Shootout Festival

The McAlester 5A Shootout Festival lived up to its namesake in Thursday’s matchup between Claremore and Noble.

In a back-and-forth battle filled with momentum swings and timely hits, the Zebras couldn’t quite keep pace with the Bears, falling 6-4 in a rematch of last year’s Class 5A state quarterfinals — a game Noble also won, 10-3.

Claremore [17-9] saw solid contributions throughout the lineup, with Braden Trail going 1-for-3, while Kellen Gaede, John Tedesco and Xyler Reeder each added hits. Tedesco and Reeder drove in runs, and the Zebras turned 2 double plays defensively to stay within striking distance.

On the mound, Ryder Garrison kept Claremore competitive through 4 2/3 innings, allowing 4 runs [3 earned] on 7 hits. Lucas Dupont took the loss in relief, surrendering 2 runs in the sixth, while the Bears’ Trent Shortes earned the win with 6 innings of work.

For Noble [15-11], Dierks Wente proved to be the difference-maker, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs, including 2 doubles and a key bases-loaded walk.

The Bears struck first in the opening inning when Wente lined a double to left, scoring Weston Randolph for a 1-0 lead.

However, the Zebras answered with their biggest inning in the third.

After reaching via walk and error, Claremore tied the game on a wild pitch that allowed a run to score. Moments later, Tyler Osgood reached on an error that brought home another run, and Tedesco added a sacrifice fly to push the Zebras ahead 3-1.

Noble chipped away in the bottom half of the third. After a single and a bunt, an error allowed Randolph to score, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The Bears then pulled even in the fifth when Wente delivered again with a double to left to tie the game, and Shortes followed with an RBI single to give Noble a 4-3 lead.

But Claremore answered once more in the sixth.

Tedesco led off with a double and came home when Reeder lined a single to center, tying the game at 4.

The Bears delivered the final blow in the bottom of the sixth, though.

After loading the bases with a walk, hit batter and another free pass, Wente drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the go-ahead run. Moments later, Jackson Steely lifted a ball deep enough to bring in another run on a sacrifice situation, extending the lead to 6-4.

The Zebras had one last chance in the seventh but couldn’t mount a rally, as Noble closed the door to secure the win.

Claremore continued play in the festival Friday afternoon against Coweta and will wrap up the weekend at 10 a.m. Saturday against host McAlester.