BETHANY — After four scoreless innings, 4A Bethany broke through for eight runs over the final two innings in an 8-0 win over 6A Putnam City West Thursday (April 17) on Senior Night for the Bronchos.

The two teams combined for just two hits over the first four innings as both starters, Broncho senior Levi Moore and Patriot sophomore Jarin Hoff, worked around walks and a three hit batsmen.

West put runners at first and second base in the third inning, but Moore coaxed a ground ball in the infield to end the threat.

In the fourth inning, Bethany had back-to-back walks, but were unable to score.

The scoreless streak ended with two outs in the fifth inning, Bethany senior Brock Cross bunted and reached on an error by West catcher Mashall Byars. He made it to second base. Cross moved to third base on an infield single by junior Judson Gilliland.

Cross scored on a balk by Hoff. Two more walks loaded the bases.

Seniors Joe Berry and Andrew Taber had back-to-back singles to right field to make it 4-0.

In the fifth inning, another Patriot error started the Bethany rally.

Sophomore Brody McLaren reached on an error by West freshman shortstop Malachi Ferguson. Cross followed with a bunt single. Gilliland, senior Charlie Tolle and junior Karter Thomas each walked to make it 6-0.

Broncho senior Rylan Eccles with hit by a pitch and Taber ended the game with an RBI single to score Tolle for the run-rule win.

Moore pitched a six-inning complete game. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out six batters.

“Levi was great,” Bethany coach Robert Lee said via text. ” (He) mixed his pitches really well, held runners in check. (He) gave us time to get going offensively, very proud of him.”

Taber finished 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Berry was 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

Senior Preston Orton and Cross were each 1-for-3. Cross scored twice. Gilliland also scored twice, going 1-for-2.

Bethany took advantage of seven walks from Patriot pitching.

West freshman Cadence Smith and senior Mike Vess each had singles for the Patriots. Senior Nathan Vann walked twice.

On the mound, the fifth-inning rally ended a scoreless stretch for Hoff, who gave five hits and eight runs (three were earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Hoff walked six batters and struck out five.

UP NEXT

The Bronchos (19-5, 7-2) host Elk City (16-2, 8-0) Friday (April 18) at 1 p.m. The Elks beat Clinton, 14-4, Tuesday.

The Patriots host 2A Minco (8-11) Friday at 5 p.m. The Bulldogs fell to A Southwest Covenant, 8-0, Thursday.

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Putnam City West (5-16)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
Bethany (19-5)	0	0	0	0	4	4	8	6	0