The Checotah Wildcats (21-8) brought the thunder Monday night, using timely power hitting and clutch pitching to rally past Holland Hall, 7-4, in a game that swung back and forth before the Wildcats seized control for good. The Checotah celebrated senior night as Cale Thompson and Jason Hamby were recognized prior to the game.
Holland Hall struck first, using a double in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. But Checotah wasted no time answering.
In the bottom half of the inning, Mason Rainbolt ignited the home crowd with a towering two-run home run to left field at his first up to bat, flipping the momentum and giving the Wildcats a 2-1 advantage.
The Dutch refused to go away quietly. A single in the third inning tied the game at 2-2, and in the fourth, Holland Hall pulled ahead 3-2 in daring fashion with a steal of home.
That lead didn’t last long.
Checotah answered with authority in the bottom of the fourth. Cale Thompson blasted a home run to left to even the score, and Eli Patterson followed with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt that brought in another run, pushing the Wildcats back in front 4-3.
From there, Checotah never looked back.
Patterson took control on the mound in relief and shut down Holland Hall’s offense. The right-hander allowed just two hits and one run, none earned, over 3 2/3 innings, striking out four and working through pressure moments to secure the win.
Starter Ty Guthrie kept Checotah in the game early, going 3 1/3 innings while allowing three runs (one earned) and striking out two.
Offensively, the Wildcats made the most of their opportunities. Rainbolt and Thompson delivered the big blows in the heart of the lineup, each driving in two runs and providing the spark Checotah needed to outlast the Dutch.
Holland Hall’s starter went the distance, allowing seven runs, only three earned, but Checotah’s timely hitting proved too much to overcome.
Wildcats strike late, secure 5-3 win over Holland Hall Tulsa— Patience at the plate and clutch hitting in the late innings lifted the Checotah Wildcats to a gritty 5-3 victory over Holland Hall on Tuesday, completing a strong showing against the Dutch.
Checotah set the tone early without even swinging the bat. Cale Thompson worked a bases-loaded walk in the top of the first inning to push across the game’s opening run, showcasing the Wildcats’ disciplined approach at the plate.
That patience paid off again in the third inning when Jake Patterson delivered a single to center field, stretching the lead to 2-0.
Holland Hall battled back and evened things up in the bottom of the fifth, using a triple and a productive line out to tie the game at 2-2 and shift the pressure back onto Checotah.
But the Wildcats answered when it mattered most. In the top of the sixth, Camden Ferguson delivered the biggest swing of the night, ripping a triple to drive in the goahead run. Moments later, Kross Stauffer followed with a clutch single to add insurance, helping Checotah take control at 5-3.
On the mound, Mason Rainbolt powered through five innings to earn the win, striking out eight while allowing just two hits. Despite some traffic on the bases, he limited the damage and kept Checotah within striking distance.
Camden Ferguson shut the door in relief, tossing two scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out two to preserve the victory.
At the plate, the Wildcats stayed consistent and composed. Taten Ferguson and Camden Ferguson each collected two hits, while Ferguson, Stauffer and Patterson each drove in runs. Thompson also sparked the offense with three walks as Checotah showed discipline throughout, drawing eight walks as a team.
Wagoner edges Checotah 7-6 on Thursday on final play of the game.
