EDMOND – The Rebels will have to wait at least one more season for their next baseball title.
Silo’s last championship was in 2010, and a bid for the state baseball crown fell short Friday in a tough 3-2 loss to Dale in the state semifinals.
The game was a rematch of sorts from the spring championship, also taken by Dale. Only this time, the Pirates moved on to another championship Saturday in a 10-0 run-rule win against Latta. The Rebels were the only team to score on Dale in the three-game tourney.
Friday’s decision was as close as they come, with Silo down to their final strike as the tying and go-ahead runs were in scoring position. But the rally fell short and the Rebels were sent home a day earlier than they – or their very vocal and supportive fans – had hoped.
The Pirates and Rebels played two scoreless innings before each found home plate in the third. Tanner Hearon scored for Silo, and Lance House reached base on a single. But House hesitated at third after a wild Pirate overthrow went into left field.
The Pirates were able to recover and got the call at home as House was called out. Silo’s 1-0 lead did not last long.
Freshman pitcher Trenton Long threw a solid five and two-thirds for the Rebels, but a rocky third inning saw the Pirates take a 2-1 lead on three singles and two walks before Long struck out the final two hitters.
Silo’s offense crept to a halt in the fourth and fifth innings, but the defense was able to keep Dale in check as well. Chris Taylor chased down two fly balls in left field, and Long struck out the final batter to overcome an infield error.
The Rebels still trailed 2-1 with five outs left when Leonard Sandler drew a one-out walk in the sixth. He stole second, then Kyle Tate drew a base-on-balls. Casey Love was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with Rebels.
Pinch hitter Lucas Long hit a routine sacrifice fly ball, but the Dale fielder dropped it and Sandler was able to score. The misstep caught the Rebels off-guard but at least the game was tied. A Silo pinch-runner was caught in a run-down at third, then Hearon struck out as the Rebels stranded two runners.
Dale hit a lead-off single, and a sac bunt moved the Pirate runner to second. A sac fly got him to third with two outs. An intentional walk had runners on the corners, then a passed ball brought in a Pirate run for the 3-2 score.
Kendall Shives came in to finish the inning on the mound for Silo, and a fly ball to House at the right side wall of Edmond Memorial’s field ended the threat of more Dale runs. But the damage was done, and Silo was down to the seventh inning.
Chris Taylor struck out, then Lance House ripped a screaming double to give the Rebels hope. Hendricks struck out, and House stole third base during a tense at-bat for Andrew Bolin. Silo had a chance to tie the game when a pitch got away from the Dale catcher and rolled all the way to the wall. But once again, House hesitated and remained at third.
Bolin ended up walking, which brought up Leonard Sandler. He went down swinging to end the game.
The Rebels return home as the only team from Bryan County to win a regional championship in their sport this fall.
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