BETHANY — Bethany scored six runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by a Jules Barger home run, for a 7-1 win over Weatherford in a 4A-3 game Friday (Sept. 12).

The win was key in the home stretch of the district race. The Bronchos sit in fourth place, behind Woodward (4-3), Weatherford (4-2) and Elk City (9-0). The Bronchos are 3-1 in district play with eight district games to go.

The win also broke a four-game losing streak to the Eagles dating back to 2023.

“Excited for a great win,” Bethany coach Booker Blakley said via text. “Anytime you can get a win from the defending state champs, you take it.

“Puts us in a good spot going forward, busy week next week so hopefully a sign of things to come.”

The teams were tied at 1-1 entering the fifth. Senior Maddison McNutt reached on a infield error to lead off the inning. Barger, a junior, sent a 1-2 pitch over the right field wall to give Bethany 3-1 lead.

The Bronchos weren’t done. Senior Madison Bibbs singled to left. Two batters later, freshman Riane Rollins lined a single to center.

With runners at first and second base, Bethany had three walks in a row (juniors Ella Davis, Grey Williamson and senior Emma Buxton). Weatherford reliever Karsyn Hix came in for starter Maci Thain before Williamson’s at-bat. Hix struck out McNutt before walking Barger to drive in the seventh and final run.

“Girls did a great job all afternoon at the plate, lots of good at bats,” Blakley said. “Jules (Barger) had the big blow with the HR but a great effort by the team.”

During the three-batter walk-a-thon, Bethany hitters saw 12 balls and only two strikes.

In the circle, senior Jayda Davis scattered three hits over seven innings. She walked one batter and struck out five.

With one out in the fourth inning, Weatherford junior Jossalynn Schulz homered to left field. Thain followed with a double. Davis responded with a strikeout and a groundout to limit the damage to only one run.

“(Jayda) kept them off balance and defense did a great job supporting her.”

Bethany responded in the bottom of the fourth. Rollins reached on an infield error (one of four Eagle errors in the contest). Ella Davis moved Rollins to second with a sacrifice bunt. Williamson lined a double to right field to score Rollins and tie the game at 1-1.

Barger, Bibbs, Rollins and Williamson each had two hits. Barger drove in three runs in the win.

UP NEXT

Bethany travels to district leader Elk City (20-2, 9-0) Monday (Sept. 15) at 5 p.m.

The Elkettes beat Woodward, 6-2, Friday.

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Weatherford (7-8, 4-2)	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	3	4
Bethany (9-9, 3-1)	0	0	0	1	6	0	X	7	8	1