GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Enid Plainsmen wrapped up their trip to the Gulf Coast baseball tournament Wednesday in Gulf Shores, Ala., by pounding out 14 hits in a 16-0 run-rule victory over winless Huntsville (Ala.) Catholic High School. The victory sends Enid home with a 2-2 mark in its four games in the tournament. Enid now is 5-4 on the season while Catholic fell to 0-11.

Freshman hurler Jake Walker, who started in place of scheduled starter Jerry Kearney, pitched a complete game (5 innings) shutout, allowing three hits, striking out three with no walks. Walker gave up a game-opening single to Catholic’s Curtis Lavioe and then retired the next 10 batters he faced before giving up a lead-off single in the fifth inning.

“We had another freshman step up,” Enid head coach James Peoples said regarding Walker’s outing. “We have another strong arm out there. He did a real nice job for us in keeping their hitters off-balance.”

Kearney was unable to pitch due to a pinched nerve in his neck. Peoples said Kearney is expected to return to the starting rotation without missing any further time.

The Plainsmen, taking out their frustration after being shutout Tuesday 2-0 by Brookwood, scored in every inning, including batting around in the four-run first inning and in the decisive 8-run fourth inning.

“That was a pretty young team we played today,” said Peoples. “They were a bit overmatched and we took advantage of that. It’s nice to get an easy win now and then.”

Catholic’s only senior was starting pitcher Ben Hession who was rocked early and often by the Plainsmen batters.

Junior Haden Houska started the hit parade for Enid with a leadoff single in the first inning and then stole second base – his first of three stolen bases on the day – before coming around to score on Lawson King’s RBI infield single to open the scoring. The Plainsmen would send nine batters to the plate in the opening stanza, scoring four runs on three hits and three stolen bases. Starting pitcher Jake Walker delivered a 2-run RBI single and Colter LeGrant added a sacrifice fly to finish the scoring.

The Plainsmen tacked on three more runs in the second inning with Joe Black’s RBI triple highlighting the inning along with an RBI double from Dillon Walker. Enid added a single run in the third inning when Dillon Walker’s RBI double scored Houska who had  singled, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch.

Enid put the game out of reach with eight runs in the fourth inning as Enid emptied its bench, giving several non-starters a chance for some playing time. Curtis LeGrant, Cedric Rose, Tanner Miller, Curtis Shelton and Zeke Sarver all drove in runs in the fourth for Enid.

LeGrant had three RBI on the day while every Enid starter had at least one base hit.

The Plainsmen’s  victory was their second run-rule win of the tournament after opening with a 13-2 win over Sweetwater, Ala. Their two losses were by a combined three runs, losing 7-6 to Baldwin (Ala.) Monday and 2-0 to Brookwood (Ala.) on Tuesday.

“We should have been 3-1or even 4-0 on this trip and playing (today in the semifinals),” Peoples said. “We gave away the game against Baldwin. Later in the year we should win that game and we couldn’t control the umpiring against Brook-wood (Tuesday). They just took the bats out of our hands in that game.

“We have some games under our belt now and just need to play well early like we have been. I’m pleased with our effort and we’re ready to get back to Oklahoma and back at it.”

The Plainsmen return home Wednesday to David Allen Memorial Ballpark for the start of the Gladys Winters Tournament. Enid, ranked 14th, will open against defending state champion, sixth-ranked Tulsa Union with first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

Notes: Freshman Jackson Walker is likley done for the season. Walker  suffered a dislocated shoulder during football season that has kept him out of the lineup. Walker underwent surgery to repair the shoulder Wednesday.

Gulf Coast Tournament

ENID 16, CATHOLIC, Ala. 0



CATHOLIC    00000        0  3  3       

ENID     4318x      16 14 0



WP: J. Walker (CG, 3K,); LP: Hession

Enid: 2B: D. Walker (2), Ferguson, Rose, Shelton; 3B: Black; RBI: LeGrant (3), J. Walker (2), D. Walker (2), Rose (2), Shelton (2); King, Black, Ta. Miller, Sarver;  SB: Houska (3); King (2); D. Walker

LOB: Enid 8; Catholic 1