The Eufaula Ironheads (1416) saw their season come to an end as the Idabel Warriors swept the Ironheads on Wednesday 12-5 and 20-5.
Eufaula was riding high after defeating the Morris Eagles 5-3 in game one on Tuesday. The Ironheads started off quick with a run scored in each of the first two innings. Seniors Draven Gragg and Taber Grider put the Ironheads on the scoreboard. Gragg grounded out in the bottom of the first to score a run. Grider connected on a pitch for a single that extended the score 2-0.
The Morris Eagles finally scored in the top of the fourth inning to make the game 2-1 but the Eagles found a rhythm and added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning after Lance Clark walked and Trey Daniels hit a fielder’s choice, each scoring a pair of runs.
The Ironheads would not go away without a fight. Connor McAllister smashed a pitch for a double, scoring two runs to take back the lead, 4-3. Great pitching and infield play by the Ironheads held the Eagles scoreless in the sixth. Eufaula wasn’t finished as they sealed the game with another score to capture the 5-3 victory.
Carson Luna had a great day on the pitcher’s mound as he allowed just five hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings, striking out an impressive nine Eagles and walking four. Dawson Hughes came in relief of Luna and allowed zero hits and struck out one. Connor McAllister led the Ironheads at the plate going 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs, Draven Gragg went 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, Luke Hodgins 1-for-2 with a run scored and Taber Grider went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
In game two on Tuesday Eufaula rolled to a 9-1 victory over Idabel. JP Hicks was on fire at the plate as he led the Ironheads, driving in four runs on one hit. Hicks smashed a pitch in the seventh inning, sending it deep into center field for a grand slam. The Warriors jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After that it was a pitching show and a highlight reel on playing great defense. With the score still 1-0, Eufaula added three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Gragg connected on a pitch for a single, scoring two runs and an error by the Warriors allowed Eufaula to add another run to take a 3-1 lead going into the seventh inning.
That’s when both Carson Luna and Draven Gragg drew a walk that scored a pair of runs prior to Hicks’ grand slam that totaled six runs in the seventh inning.
Hayden Robinson earned the win from the pitcher’s mound. He surrendered one hit and one run over seven innings, striking out seven and walking five. Hicks ended the game going 1-for-4 with four RBIs, Gragg 1-for-3 with three RBIs, Jaxon Lange 1-for-4 with a run scored and Taber Grider went 1-forthree with a run scored.
The future looks bright for the Ironheads as they will only lose five seniors to graduation. Returning are Carson Luna and Hayden Robinson, who are both quality pitchers and great batters, JP Hicks who can play multiple positions, Luke Hodgings and Connor McAllister, who are all exceptional athletes. There are numerous underclassmen that have the ability to step up and fill in the gaps left by seniors.
