OKLAHOMA COUNTY — Putnam City senior Just Knight threw a complete game one-hitter and struck out 13 batters in the Pirates’ 1-0 win over Bartlesville Wednesday (May 6) in a 6A regional elimination game at Deer Creek.
Knight had to work out of handful of jams due to five walks and a hit batsmen. He retired eight straight batters from the fifth inning to the first two outs (both strikeouts) in the seventh inning.
Knight then walked Bruin junior Zane Broswell. However, he was thrown out trying to steal second base by junior catcher Bryson Vanover to end the ballgame.
“Justin pitched an amazing game,” Putnam City coach Joseph Wood said via text. “We knew all along that when he was on the mound, we could compete with anyone, all we had to do is find a way to score enough runs. Only giving up one hit and zero runs gave us a great chance.
“Best game of the year for the team.”
The Pirate offense struggled against the Bartlesville duo of senior Sterling Kroh and junior Cooper Swaim, who also allowed only one hit and struck out 11.
But, the lone hit was timely. Kroh walked PC sophomore MJ Petties to lead off the third inning (one of six walks to Pirate batters). Vanover then doubled on a 0-1 pitch to left field to score Petties for the lone run in the game.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlesville (20-17) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Putnam City (5-32) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 1 | 1 | 0 |
BARTLESVILLE – HBP: Marcella. CS: Rigdon. E: Neill.
PUTNAM CITY – 2B: Vanover. HBP: Knight.
DEER CREEK 12, PUTNAM CITY 0
In the regional opener, the host Antlers scored seven runs in the second inning for a run-rule win.
Petties tripled to left field with tow outs in the fifth inning for the lone Putnam City hit. Senior Brandon Bennett reached base twice after being hit by a pitch and walking once.
Antler senior Teague Cottingham pitched a complete game. He walked only one and struck out seven.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam City (4-32) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Deer Creek (24-12) | 2 | 7 | 1 | 2 | X | 12 | 12 | 2 |
PUTNAM CITY – 3B: Petties. HBP: Bennett.
DEER CREEK – 2B: Edwards. HBP: Seaman. SB: Driskill, Phillips, Hubble. E: Richards, Edwards.
UP NEXT
Putnam City (5-32) meets Broken Arrow (21-10) Thursday (May 7) in another elimination game at Deer Creek.
The Tigers fell to Deer Creek 2-0 after earning a 5-3 win over Bartlesville Wednesday. Broken Arrow has lost four out of their last six games.
6A WEST REGIONAL 7 AT DEER CREEK
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2026
Deer Creek 12, Putnam City 0
Broken Arrow 5, Bartlesville 3
Deer Creek 2, Broken Arrow 0
Putnam City 1, Bartlesville 0 (Bartlesville eliminated)
THURSDAY, May 7, 2026
Putnam City vs. Broken Arrow, 1:30 p.m.
Putnam City/Broken Arrow winner vs. Deer Creek, 4 p.m.
FRIDAY, May 8, 2026
Putnam City/Broken Arrow winner vs. Deer Creek, 2:30 p.m. (if necessary)
West Metro Sports 