Off and running, run-rule style, for Connors State

Phoenix Staff Reports

Sat, May 17 2008

— BARTLESVILLE — Connors State coach Perry Keith looked over his team during the opening round of Region II baseball tournament Thursday and didn’t see any of his players looking nervous.
That was a good sign.
The Cowboys, led by Brock Feldman’s four hits and three RBIs, topped Arkansas-Fort Smith 14-4 in a game shortened to eight innings because of the run rule at Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium.
“Our guys are playing really relaxed and I’m pleased with that,” Keith said.
Feldman got things going for Connors when he tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the first by singling home Bret Coffman, who had doubled. In the bottom of the sixth, Feldman singled in two runs.
Connors, now 41-16 for the season, scored five runs in the fifth and six in the sixth.
The game ended when Zane Williams hit a two-run home run, his 13th of the season, over the left field fence in the eighth for two of his four RBIs. He also had a two-run single in the sixth.
Kyle DeGrace had a three-run double and Tyler Tuthill added a two-run single in the fifth.
Brett Coffman had three hits, while DeGrace and Brandon Smith had two hits each.
The Cowboys have beaten the Lions three times in five games this season.
Shane Cameron (8-2) pitched the complete-game victory, striking out seven and scattering eight hits. Three runs were earned.
“He was really good,” Keith said. “He kept getting better as the game went along. After the fifth inning, he didn’t allow a base runner.”
The Cowboys will play Eastern (40-16) at 3:30 p.m. today. The two teams split their four regular season games this season. Eastern knocked off Seminole 11-10 in the first game of the tournament.
The championship game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday and the “if necessary” game is set for 4 p.m.