BOKCHITO – The Rattan Rams were able to extinguish a six-run rally by the Caney Cougars to advance to the finals of the Rock Creek Tournament with a 10-7 win. The Rams scored two runs in the first inning and six in the second to take an 8-0 lead. Landon Carper drove in two runs for the Rams with an RBI double in the bottom of the second. Jonathan Samuels and Tanner McAdams also tagged a couple of RBI doubles to make it 7-0. McAdams scored on a wild pitch for the sixth run of the inning. Hunter Mills knocked in the first two runs for the Cougars in the top of the third to keep the game going. After getting roughed up in the first two innings of play, Caney starting pitcher Garrett Whatley settled in and kept the Rams scoreless through the middle frames. Shane Scott scored from third base on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth to pull the Cougars within five. Another run scored on a Rattan fielding error to make it 8-4. Whatley helped his own cause with an RBI to left field that scored two runs but was thrown out trying to make it back to first base.

The Rams ended their scoring drought in the bottom of the sixth. One run scored on a passed ball to make it 9-6. Colby Chandler followed with an RBI single that scored one but Caney left fielder Emery Bagby fired a laser to home to get A.J. Davis at the plate to prevent a second run from scoring.

Mills hit a one-out single to keep the Cougars going in the top of the seventh. Crites followed with a double and Garrett Green drove in Mills to make it 10-7. Whatley hit a short fly ball to short stop to end the rally and the game. Whatley pitched all seven innings for the Cougars and struck out eight batters. Davis got the start for the Rams and pitched five innings. Dustin Davidson came on in relief in the sixth inning. Mills went 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI for the Cougars. Crites went 1-for-3 with a double. Whatley went 2-for-3 with two singles and an RBI. Davidson went 1-for-2 with an RBI double for the Rams. Carper also finished with an RBI double. Samuels went 2-for-3 with an RBI and McAdams went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Caney will match up with the Caddo Bruins on Saturday in the third place game and Rattan will play Tupelo in the finals.