BETHANY — Putnam City West used the longball to build a sizeable lead but Bethany charged back for another walkoff win over the Patriots, winning 8-7 Friday (April 24).

In the seventh inning, Bethany freshman Maximus Loyd was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Senior Trip Williams led off the seventh with a double, sophomore Cruz Burleson and freshman Isaac Bellows followed with singles to load the bases which led to the walkoff.

It was the second walkoff over West this month (including a 4-3 win on April 11).

Early in the game, West home runs led to an early lead.

West junior Aaron De Loera led off the game with a homer over the right field fence.

The Bronchos answered in the bottom of the first with two runs on an error and doubles from sophomore Cooper Suarez and junior Connor Sydnes.

Freshman Tylor Mason retook the lead for the Patriots with a two-run single in the third inning to make it 3-2.

In the fourth inning, West went for the knockout punch. Bellows hit De Loera, gave up a walk to sophomore Malachi Ferguson and hit sophomore Cadence Smith to load the bases.

Senior Ezequiel Hernandez sent a 1-2 pitch over the left field fence to widen the lead.

Trailing 7-2, the Bronchos cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Junior Cooper Willis was hit by a pitch and Williams singled to center. Bellows the lined a triple to right field to score two runs.

Bethany added two more runs in the fifth on a walk to Suarez and infield error on a ball hit by Sydnes.

Willis and Williams followed with singles to cut the deficit to one run.

The Bronchos tied the game at 7-7 in the sixth. Suarez singled and scored on a Sydnes double to right field.

Bethany racked up 15 hits in the win. Suarez went 3-for-4 with two doubles and Williams added a 3-for-5 day with a double and a run batted in.

Sydnes, Willis and Bellows each had two hits. Both of Sydnes’ hits were doubles. Bellows had a triple.

Loyd and freshman Brody Wright were each 1-for-2.

The Bronchos walked five times but the West pitched notched eight strikeouts in the game.

Freshman Jayden Rose earned the win with 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief work. Rose allowed one hit, walked a batter and struck out four.

The Patriots were held to just four hits but walked seven times.

De Loera, Smith, Hernandez and Mason had hits for West. Smith also had a stolen base.

West batters also struck out eight times in the loss.

On the mound, West starter Smith allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) in the first inning. He walked one and struck out three batters. De Loera followed with two scoreless innings and two hits. De Loera walked two and struck out four.

Junior Angel Perez allowed four runs (two earned) over the next 1 2/3 innings as Bethany rallied. Junior Anthony Dupree was tagged for the loss. He allowed five hits and two runs in 1 1/3 innings of work. He walked one and struck out one.

UP NEXT

Bethany (14-11) begin the 4A regional playoffs next week.

The Patriots (10-13, 2-8) wrap up 6A-1 play with games against Mustang (29-5, 10-2) Monday and Tuesday (April 27-28) and a doubleheader Thursday against U.S. Grant (4-15, 0-10).

Mustang earned a 2-0 shutout of Tulsa Union Thursday at Oral Roberts University.

U.S. Grant has lost 10 straight games, including a doubleheader to Northwest Classen Tuesday.

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Putnam City West (11-14)	1	0	2	4	0	0	0	7	4	3
Bethany (15-11)	2	0	0	2	2	1	1	8	15	2