WARR ACRES — Bethany scored nine runs in the final two innings of a 13-2 rout of host Putnam City Friday (March 28) in the finale of the Bryson Cael Memorial Festival.

The Bronchos (11-3) held a 4-2 lead going into the sixth inning. Sophomore Brody McLaren doubled to center field. Junior Judson Gilliland reached on an error by Pirate starter Andrew Simon.

Senior Charlie Tolle hit a three-run home run over the left field wall to make it 7-2.

The Bronchos got two more runs in the inning thanks to two walks, another PC error and a base hit and the lead was 9-2.

In the seventh inning, Bethany piled on three more runs before the Pirates recorded an out. The four-run inning was keyed by a triple from junior Karter Thomas.

“A lot of our hitters, it’s fun to watch them hit because you know that the capabilities there,” Bethany coach Robert Lee said.

Lee said he likes to keep his players in motion on the base paths which has led to good results.

“There are times where we have the right guy up and on base and guys step up and and get it done,” Lee said.

Tolle and Gilliland opened the game with back-to-back walks. Gilliland would later score on a ground ball double play to give Bethany an early 1-0 lead.

The Pirates (2-13) tied the game at 1-1 in the second inning on an RBI-double from PC junior Brandon Bennett.

In the third inning, the Bronchos took the lead for good with four singles and a Putnam City error. That led to three runs and a 4-1 lead.

In the fifth inning, the Pirates cut the deficit, taking advantage of an infield single and an error. Junior Henry Thein grounded out, which scored fellow junior Brandon Bennett to make it 4-2.

The Bronchos smacked 14 hits in the win and took advantage of seven walks.

Senior Andrew Taber and Tolle each went 3-for-4. Taber drove in a run and Tolle drove in six runs.

Gilliland, McLaren junior Karter Thomas and senior Joe Berry each had two hits in the win.

Lee was pleased to see contributions from many in the lineup, which is a trend for the Bronchos.

“We’ve just had individual guys step up at an individual times,” Lee said. “We talk about when somebody has a good game, to be grateful and happy for them, because the way the game works and as much as you play and the talent. I think that the sun’s gonna shine on somebody different each day.”

On the mound, Bethany sophomore Cooper Willis allowed seven hits and two runs (one was earned) in six innings. Willis walked one batter and struck out four. Broncho senior Brock Cross pitched an inning of scoreless relief. He walked one batter and struck out two batters.

“Our pitching’s been really good,” Lee said. “Coach (Darren) Willis does a great job with those guys.”

For the Pirates, Bennett and sophomore Bryson Vanover each had two hits. Senior Connor Fast, sophomore Jared Potter and freshman MJ Petties each collected a hit.

PC senior Andrew Simon took the loss. He allowed 13 hits and half of his eight runs allowed were unearned due to Pirate errors. Simon walked two batters and struck one out.

Putnam City coach Joseph Wood was pleased with Simon’s outing despite the late runs.

“His performance was amazing. I think single-handedly one of his better performances this year,” Wood said. “I thought he did everything we asked him to do, just locate pitches, get ground balls and pop flies and you know. His teammates were just fighting, battling behind him and making plays.”

Despite Putnam City’s 2-13 start in his first year, Wood thinks his team is moving in the right direction.

“At the end of the season, our record will not dictate or determine what type of team we are and how good we’ve gotten or how much better we’ve become from game-to-game,” Wood said.

REMEMBERING BRYSON CRAEL

After the game, both teams gathered in the infield for a candlelight vigil, remembering the Pirates’ Bryson Cael.

The 17-year-old died in 2022 after being involved in a car accident.

Lee coached at Putnam City in 2021, Cael’s junior season. Despite it being a “tough night” to remember his former player, Lee found hope in their shared faith.

“The biggest thing that gives me peace is that Bryson and I had talks about Jesus Christ. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters,” Lee said. “I know for a fact he’s in heaven and I can rest assured in that.

“The big part of what we want to do in every program that we’re part of is make God a part of it, because if we don’t, it’s not worth doing.”

Wood said some of his Pirate seniors were freshman ballplayers when Cael died.

“They knew Bryson and they just played different. They wanted to go out and do a little extra for him and it is definitely emotional for a lot of them,” Wood said.

UP NEXT

The Bronchos (11-3, 3-2) host Clinton (3-8, 1-3) in a 4A-4 matchup Monday (March 31) at 5 p.m.

The Red Tornadoes beat Kingfisher, 12-4, Thursday.

The Pirates (2-13, 0-4) travel to Lawton Eisenhower (2-12, 0-4) Tuesday (April 1) for a 6A-2 doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.

The Eagles beat 3A Anadarko, 14-2, Friday in the Bo Bowman Tournament in Lawton.

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.
Photographs courtesy of Jeremy Coleman of Putnam City Athletics.

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Bethany (11-3)	1	0	3	0	0	5	4	13	16	2
Putnam City (2-13)	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	7	3