The Durant Lions snapped a 10-game skid with a big district victory at rival McAlester while finishing last week with a 2-2 record against a rugged slate.
After a 4-0 loss to McAlester the bounce back came in a 12-5 triumph over the Buffaloes. In the 5A Shootout, the Lions were 12-4 victors against Collinsville ahead of a 10-7 loss to perennial power Carl Albert.
They’ll close out District 5A-4 play facing leading-leading Bishop Kelley this week before non-district contests at home on Thursday and Friday against Tushka and Idabel in the home finale.
The Lions only managed three singles in the opening matchup with McAlester on hits by Cole Robbins, Jared Avalos and Graham McIlvoy.
Things were much better in the road matchup at McAlester, thanks largely to an eight-run second inning eruption as they capitalized on five hits, three free passes and a pair of errors. Holdan Robinson and Eli McClure had the biggest blows with doubles which plated runs.
McClure and Robinson also belted home runs for Durant as they racked up 10 hits. Robinson had three of the hits and drove in four overall.
Lucas McClure was the pitching benefactor as he worked six solid frames on the mound, scattering five runs (three earned) on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Robinson also added an inning of scoreless relief that included a pair of strikeouts.
Durant continued the surge against Collinsville, bolting to eight first frame runs and never looked back. The Lions sliced together six singles and four walks while sending 13 batters to the plate. Jackson Williams and Robbins each drove in two with their hits.
Williams earned the mound win with four stellar frames as he allowed four runs on six hits. Thompson also had one stanza of scoreless relief in the run rule verdict. Williams also helped his cause with four RBI on a pair of hits with Robinson and Colton Poore notching two hits apiece.
The Lions appeared in position to upset Carl Albert early on as they pushed across three runs in the initial frame before watching 10 unanswered runs from the Titans.
Robbins began the first with a single to center, Avalos was hit by a pitch and Robinson singled to drive in a run. They took advantage of a walk, passed ball and sacrifice fly from Poore to cap the first inning flurry.
Durant closed with a burst as well, posting six hits as Robinson had a teamhigh two. Robbins, McIlvoy, Lucas and Eli McClure added one hit each.