The McAlester Buffaloes stormed back in the fifth inning to secure a gritty 5-3 victory over the Eufaula Ironheads (4-12) on Friday.

JP Hicks gave Eufaula early life, ripping a double that drove in two runs in the third inning. McAlester answered back quickly, tying the game in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly by Spencer Stinchcomb and an error.

Eufaula briefly retook the lead in the fifth thanks to a groundout RBI from Carson Luna, but the Buffaloes answered with a threerun burst in the bottom frame. Denver Durant’s groundout, followed by RBI singles from Cole Leybas and Blake Judkins, gave McAlester the lead for good.

Lucas Johns earned the win, going the distance with seven strikeouts over seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Eufaula’s Luke Hodgins took the loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) over five innings, striking out five and walking six.

Hicks led the Ironhead offense with two RBIs from the threehole, while Baylor Bohannon was solid with a 2-for-3 performance.

McAlester’s offense was balanced with hits from Leybas, McKinney, Hodgell, Judkins, and Durant, and ten stolen bases, a testament to their aggressive base running. Parker Dusenberry fueled that pressure with two walks and multiple stolen bags.

McAlester played flawless defense, with Jaxon McKinney recording team-high six chances.

Rattan Rams dent Ironheads 8-1

The Rattan Rams pulled away late to hand the Eufaula Ironheads an 8-1 defeat on Thursday. A big top of the fifth sparked the Rams’ offense, highlighted by a two-run double from Ben Ellis, a triple by Kooper Johnson, and a sacrifice fly from Shade Cody.

JP Hicks got the start for Eufaula, allowing six hits and eight runs (five earned) over 6.2 innings, striking out four. The Rams’ Keller Shockey kept Eufaula’s bats in check, giving up just one unearned run on four hits, with two strikeouts and three walks.

Despite the loss, Baylor Bohannon again led Eufaula, going 2-for-3, while Jax Williams drove in the team’s only run.

Rattan’s lineup was locked in, with Ellis, Janoe, Kopp, Tabor, Johnson, and Jimmy Ellis all collecting hits in a balanced team effort.

Week in Review: Ironheads fall to Catoosa in offensive slugfest

Earlier in the week, Eufaula dropped a 15-9 decision to Catoosa, despite racking up 12 hits.

Hayden Robinson had a big night, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. JP Hicks and Hayden Atwood each went 2-for-4, continuing to produce for the Ironheads at the plate. Dawson Hughes and Robinson split pitching duties in the loss.