BASEBALL: Smalley’s blast punctuates dominant Sequoyah win over Skiatook

Ryder Smalley’s swing served as the perfect exclamation mark to a dominant performance.

The Sequoyah standout crushed a 3-run home run in the fifth inning, sending the Eagles to a dominant 9-0 victory Thursday over Skiatook at the Pope Athletic Complex.

The win was especially impressive considering the opponent. The Bulldogs entered the game having won 11 of their previous 12 contests and carrying a 22-8 record, but Sequoyah [14-13] controlled the game from start to finish following a district series split with Salina earlier in the week.

The Eagles’ performance was anchored by a complete team effort.

On the mound, Chase Meeks was in command, tossing 5 scoreless innings while allowing 6 hits, striking out 1 and not issuing a walk. He worked out of multiple jams, including a key defensive sequence in the fourth when Barrett Henton was thrown out at home trying to score, preserving the shutout.

At the plate, Smalley led the way with 3 RBIs on 2 hits, while Gunner Allison and Lucas Howard each collected 2 hits. Tyson Ketchum also played a key role in the early innings.

Sequoyah wasted no time taking control.

In the bottom of the first, Jayse Miller reached and advanced before Smalley walked and Allison reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Ketchum then delivered the decisive early blow, ripping a single to center that, combined with a defensive error, cleared the bases and gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead.

Moments later, Clayton Miller added a sacrifice fly to extend the advantage to 4-0.

Skiatook threatened in the second and fourth innings, putting runners in scoring position both times, but Sequoyah’s defense held firm.

In the fourth, Henton doubled and advanced to third but was cut down at the plate on a throw from the outfield to catcher Braxton Watkins, halting the Bulldogs’ best chance to score.

The Eagles then added to their lead in the fourth when Smalley reached and moved into scoring position before Allison lined a double to left, bringing him home to make it 5-0.

Then came the decisive fifth.

After Derick Cole reached on an error and Howard followed with a single, Miller reached on another error to score a run and extend the lead to 6-0. That set the stage for Smalley, who launched a towering 3-run homer to right field, pushing the lead to 9-0 and ending the game.

Sequoyah played again Friday afternoon at Hilldale in Muskogee.