OKLAHOMA CITY — Bethany scored eight runs in the sixth inning for a 12-8 comeback victory over host Putnam City North Thursday (March 13).

Class 6A North (1-6) had a 6-4 lead before the 4A Bronchos (6-1) smacked five hits in the sixth inning, highlighted by junior Karter Thomas’ first home run of the year, a line drive over the right field wall.

Sophomore Brody McLaren led off the inning with a double to center field off North senior Aaron Wall. Junior Judson Gilliland was hit by a pitch. McLaren came around to score on two passed balls. Senior Charlie Tolle followed with a single to left field, scoring sophomore Damian Aguilar, who ran for the catcher Gilliland. The tied the game at 6-6.

Thomas smacked the first pitch over the wall to give Bethany an 8-6 lead.

Another hit batsmen and a intentional walk loaded the bases and the Bronchos added more runs.

Sophomore Cooper Willis singled and McLaren doubled for the second time in the inning. Gilliland was hit by another pitch in the inning. Tolle brought in the last run of the inning with a sacrifice fly and Bethany led, 12-6.

The Bronchos took their first lead with two outs in the second inning, taking advantage North’s lone error, on a McLaren ground ball to junior third baseman Quincy Robinson. That scored senior Levi Moore, who reached on a fielder’s choice.

Gilliland singled to center field, scoring Willis, who had singled and Bethany led, 2-0.

The Panthers got a run back in the bottom of the second inning. Junior Jonathan Lopez scored on a wild pitch. He reached after being hit by Bethany starter junior Judd Quanstrom.

North erupted for five runs in the third inning. Robinson led off the inning with a double to left field. Wall walked and junior Mitchell Taylor was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Lopez singled home Robinson and Wall scored on the throw. Sophomore Treague Ferguson singled Taylor home. Lopez later came around to score on a wild pitch.

North finished the big inning with a senior Rocco Carattini. singled Ferguson home and the Panthers led, 6-2.

Bethany scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Gilliland singled home Willis in the fourth. In the fifth inning, Moore singled home senior Joe Berry, who led off the inning with a double. North led, 6-4.

North scored two runs in the bottom half of the sixth after Bethany’s big inning. The Panthers took advantage of a Bethany walk and an error. Wall’s fielder’s choice scored Carattini and Robinson scored on the throw to make it 12-8.

The Bronchos pounded out 15 hits. All but one Broncho in the lineup got a hit on the day. Gilliland, Thomas and McLaren each had a pair of runs batted in.

Willis got the win on the mound, pitching the last two innings. He allowed one hit and one earned run. Willis walked a batter, hit another and struck out three batters.

For North, Robinson went 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Ferguson added a 2-for-3 day. Wall and Lopez each drove in a pair of runs.

UP NEXT

Bethany hosts Western Heights (1-4) Friday (March 14) at 5 p.m.

The Jets dropped a 5A-1 doubleheader to Carl Albert Tuesday (March 11) by scores of 19-1 and 13-2.

Putnam City North travels to Alabama for the Gulf Coast Classic II beginning Monday (March 17). Besides the out-of-state opponents, North will play two Oklahoma teams in the event, 2A Tushka and 6A Muskogee. Class 6A schools Sapulpa and Norman North are also playing in the festival.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Bethany (6-1)	0	2	0	1	1	8	0	12	15	2
Putnam City North (1-6)	0	1	5	0	0	2	0	8	7	1