OKLAHOMA CITY — Putnam City coach Joseph Wood said Thursday’s 19-0 win over 4A Western Heights was a big confidence-booster for his team which has often found itself on the other end of scores like that this season.

“They were definitely ready for a game that they could go out and show the competitiveness and the fact that they’ve been competing all season and get something to pay off.

“I think it just helps with their confidence and solidifies what they know they’re capable of,” Wood said.

The Pirates took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and scored eight runs each in the second and third innings.

Senior first basemen Henry Thein went 3-for-4 with a double and six runs batted in. His double in the first inning capped the scoring for the early lead.

in the third inning, Thein also made a diving stop on a ball hit to his right by Jet sophomore J.J. Bradley. PC pitcher Bryson Vanover was late breaking for the bag so Bradley earned an infield single.

“He played his butt off,” Wood said.

Sophomore MJ Petties was 2-for-3 with a first-inning triple and three runs batted in. Vanover drove in Petties with a sacrifice fly, one of his four RBIs on a 3-for-3 day. He also had a double.

In all, the Pirates banged out 12 hits and took advantage of six walks and six hit batsmen by Jet pitching.

Seniors Justin Knight, Brandon Bennett and freshman Dylan Grigsby each had hits.

Vanover pitched all three innings of the run-rule win. He allowed three hits, walked four batters and struck out six.

JETS ‘FLAT’ ON SENIOR NIGHT

Western Heights coach Gregory Smitherman was blunt in his assessment.

“We came out flat. My senior pitcher (Parker Kronk)just didn’t have it today,” Smitherman said.

Kronk lasted 1 1/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and 11 runs. He walked two and struck out one. Kronk threw two wild pitches and hit four batters.

Smitherman said he was limited in relief pitchers due to playing a game on Monday and a doubleheader on Tuesday.

After Kronk departed with one out in the second, Jet junior Austin Carlson was able to get out of the inning but ran into trouble in the third inning. The Pirates had three singles and Western Heights committed two errors. PC walked four times and had a batter hit by a pitch.

That led to a parade around the bases in the eight-run inning.

Senior Keziah Howell came in to pitch from center field and struck out the side to finally get out of the inning.

“He throws it pretty hard so it was an adjustment for (PC) batters,” Smitherman said.

Because of renovations at the high school, the Jets have had to play seven miles east of campus at U.S. Grant this season.

Smitherman said the bigger challenge was finding a place to practice. He was able to find a place on campus where the shot put and discus throwers practice for the track team.

Smitherman put together a shell to take batting practice and said it was a plus for his team to avoid having to take a bus to practice offsite.

“I think that helped out by the fact that we had such a big campus,” Smitherman said.

UP NEXT

Putnam City (4-26) travels to 5A El Reno (11-15) Friday (April 24) at 5 p.m.

The Indians have lost six straight games, including a 5A-1 sweep from Guthrie Monday and Tuesday.

Western Heights (4-16) begins Class 4A regional play next Thursday (April 30).

Putnam City	AB	R	H	BI
Petties	3	2	2	3
Vanover	3	1	3	4
Bennett	2	2	1	0
*Ramirez	0	1	0	0
Knight	2	3	1	0
Thein	4	2	3	6
Grigsby	2	2	1	0
Guethle	2	1	0	1
Quanstrom	1	2	1	3
Hopkins	1	2	0	1
* Thomas	0	1	0	0
TOTALS	20	19	12	18
Western Heights	AB	R	H	BI
Howell	2	0	1	0
Edmiston	2	0	0	0
Logsdon	2	0	1	0
Aguillard	2	0	1	0
Rule	0	0	0	0
Bradley	2	0	1	0
Kronk	2	0	0	0
Carlson	0	0	0	0
Martin	0	0	0	0
TOTALS	12	0	4	0
	1	2	3	R	H	E
Putnam City (4-26)	3	8	8	19	12	0
Western Heights (4-16)	0	0	0	0	4	2
PUTNAM CITY – 2B: Thein, Vanover. HBP: Quanstrom, Guethle, Knight, Hopkins. SB: Quanstrom, Thein, Goodwin, Ramirez, Knight, Thomas, Vanover, Petties. SF: Vanover. WESTERN HEIGHTS – SB: Kronk. E: Howell, Kronk.
Putnam City	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Vanover (W)	3	3	0	0	4	6
Western Heights	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Kronk (L)	1 1/3	7	11	11	2	1
Carlson	2/3	4	8	8	4	1
Howell	1	1	0	0	0	3