After run-ruling Little Axe 8-0 to open the annual Heart of Oklahoma Tournament, Purcell edged Lexington 5-4 in the semifinals before losing in the finals to Community Christian, 4-3.

Freshman Kash Knowles got the rock to open the tournament and tossed a two-hitter at the Indians.

Parker Page, Boston Knowles, Deaken Dobbins and Kash, who led the team with two RBIs, all got hits in the contest.

Boston Knowles also had an RBI along with Cole Smedley.

“I thought Kash did a really good job on the mound attacking the zone all day and made Little Axe swing the bats,” head coach Cole Sharp said. “I thought we did a good job coming out and taking care of business.”

Boston Knowles pocketed the pitching victory over Lexington in the semifinals limiting the Bulldogs to three hits. Bryce Blair closed out the game striking out four hitters in the finals two innings to get the save.

Parker Page went 2-3, including a triple, at the plate with a pair of RBIs.

Casey Billingsley was 2-4 while Cooper Selman went 2-3 and Jett Tyler was 1-2 with an RBI. Blair, Dobbins, Smedley and Carter Goldston all had hits in the game.

“I thought both Boston and Bryce did a great job challenging the Lexington hitters throughout the game,” Sharp said.

“We hit the ball really well,” Sharp said of the 11-hit attack. “Everybody in the lineup got a hit.  It was a battle all throughout the game. Lex make a late push but we found a way to win the game at the end.”

CCS struck for a pair of runs in the first inning and eventually led 4-1 before Purcell answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Tyler, Page and Boston Knowles all had two hits in the contest with Knowles getting  pair of RBIs. Page had one run batted in. Page doubled in the game and Boston went yard.

Parker Page got the start and took the loss with Dobbins doing relief duties.

“Both Parker and Deaken did a great job throwing strikes and competed on the mound.  CCS is a good baseball team and we challenged them the whole game,” the coach said.

“We hit the ball well but just right at them,” Sharp said. “We just could not get timely hits when we needed to.”

The Dragons stranded 12 base runners.

“The highlight of the day was Boston’s two-run home run in the fourth. I was proud of the way we played throughout the tournament and competed.  We will need this moving forward in the finals weeks.”

Five Dragon errors in their April 8 game at Bridge Creek led to an 8-2 loss.

“Overall, we played really well but had one bad inning in the sixth where we made too many mistakes and couldn’t overcome them.  I was proud of the way we competed and battled throughout the game.”

In that one bad inning, Purcell saw its 2-1 lead evaporate into a seven-run inning for the Bobcats.

Dobbins took the loss after starting on the mound. Page made a relief appearance.

“I thought  Deaken battled all day. He did a good job for the majority of the game before he lost a little control toward the end. But overall he competed and threw strikes.

Page led the way on offense with two hits. Boston Knowles, Blair and Dobbins all had a hit in the game.

Due to the threat of severe weather Monday, games were pushed back until Tuesday. Purcell was set to play a doubleheader at Pauls Valley Tuesday. A make-up game with Bridge Creek will be played here today (Thursday) starting at 5 p.m.

Purcell is scheduled to play North Rock Creek at 2 p.m. and Bethel at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Bethel Festival.

The Dragons were 13-14 going into the Tuesday games at Pauls Valley.

Dragon notes:

Boston Knowles and Parker Page made the All-tournament team in the Heart of Oklahoma Tournament.