Runs were definitely hard to come back in showdowns with district leader Claremore last week, but the Durant Lion baseball team broke through with a non-league triumph over Coalgate to close the week’s action.
The Lions dropped 10-0 and 7-1 decisions to the powerful Zebras before catching fire early and then held off Coalgate, 8-5. With district matchups against Tahlequah to start things this week, the Lions will have a busy slate that includes the Annual Atoka Wood Bat Tournament this weekend.
Against Claremore in the opener, there wasn’t much Durant could do against the Zebras’ ace southpaw as they managed only one hit on an Aiden Diviney single.
Things were a bit more promising with five hits in the return match at Claremore but were only able to come up with a lone fourth inning run. Elijah McClure reached on a two-out walk and courtesy runner Axel Thurman came all the way around to score on a Lucas McClure RBI hit.
Durant finished with five hits, as did Claremore, three of which came from Lucas McClure. Holdan Robinson also had a hit.
Diviney and Cole Robbins combined on the mound, to yield seven runs on five hits with eight walks and three strikeouts.
The Lions got off to a much better start against Coalgate, plating three first inning runs on a pair of hits while cashing in a Wildcat error. Robbins doubled and Elijah McClure drove in the first tally with a one-out single.
A four-run outburst by Durant started to break things open while extending the advantage to 7-0. Elijah McClure tossed in another RBI single and Robinson later contributed a two-run homer over the leftfield wall.
Coalgate pushed across three runs in the fourth but the Lions responded with one in their half of the fifth when Diviney doubled, stole third and came in on a Jared Avalos sacrifice fly.
Four Durant hurlers combined in the victory with Lucas McClure the most efficient in three scoreless frames, allowing one hit with three strikeouts and a pair of walks. Jackson Williams also twirled two innings of scoreless relief, fanning three batters as well.
Robbins, Elijah McClure and Diviney all tallied two hits for the Lions with one apiece by Robinson and Reid Thompson.
