By Joe Malan, Staff Writer
Enid News and Eagle
ENID —
Parker Loveall opened up the game for Ponca City with an infield single.
A typical start to a baseball game, perhaps, but it was what followed the hit that would doom the Plainsmen in a 5-3 loss Monday at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.
Four out of Ponca City’s five runs were scored in the first inning.
Following the single by Loveall to start the game, Seth Floyd fumbled a ball hit to him at shortstop, putting runners on first and second.
Yet another single by Aaron Belair loaded the bases.
Third baseman Miguel Bretado couldn’t handle the next ball that was hit, and Colter LeGrant fumbled the next ball, which was hit to him at second.
By the time the inning was over, Enid had committed three errors, allowed two singles and two walks, and four Wildcat runners had crossed home plate.
“(If) we don’t make the errors there, I really believe we win the game,” said Enid coach James Peoples.
“You just can’t go out and give a club four, five or six outs an inning. You can’t do it; you’re going to get beat. I don’t care who you play.”
After Enid’s disastrous first inning, starting pitcher Christian Lafontan settled down.
He struck out Loveall during his second at bat of the first inning, then struck out the side in the top of the second.
Lafontan finished with 10 strikeouts, walked only three and allowed only three unearned runs.
Peoples lamented the Plainsmen’s loss, despite a strong outing by Lafontan.
“He’s gone out and struck out 12 guys before, eight, nine, 10, that’s typical Lafontan, you know, he’s going to go out and he’s got good stuff,” Peoples said.
“We’ve just got to play defense behind him, and we didn’t do it tonight. That cost us the game.”
Enid scattered its three runs over the first, third and sixth innings.
The Plainsmen get a rematch at Ponca City at 7 tonight.
