Baseball Season Begins With a Win and a Loss

By Jeff Mapes
Rain and storms slowed the start of baseball season, but the Davis Wolves did manage to squeeze in the opener March 6 with a district doubleheader at Community Christian School in Norman.
The Wolves split the two games and are 1-1 overall and in District 3A-2 as well. Davis took game 1 against the Royals 10-6 but were defeated 14-2 in the nightcap.
Rain forced Davis to cancel its originally scheduled opener at Purcell March 2. The Wolves had to cancel their contest with rival Sulphur March 9 also.
Wolves 10 Royals 6
(Game 1)
The first game highlighted four lead changes between the two teams.
The Wolves secured the come-from-behind victory outscoring CCS 6-0 the final three innings.
“It was a back-and-forth game,” said head baseball coach Chance Linville.
Davis jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Royals answered scoring twice in the bottom of the same inning.
The Wolves regained the lead at 3-2 with two runs in the third. Davis extended its margin to 4-2 with a run in the fourth.
The lead exchanged hands again in the bottom of the fourth. CCS responded with four runs for a 6-4 advantage.
The Wolves took the lead for good with a run in the fifth. Davis added three runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh.
The Wolves collected 10 hits against the Royals’ six pitchers. Starting pitcher Luke Linville was 3-4 with a double, a stolen base, a walk and three runs scored.
Catcher Brenden Rawls went 3-5 with a double and three RBIs. Dawson Fetty batted 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
Trey Melton was 1-3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Senior Jake Parker went 1-4 with a walk, a stolen base and an RBI.
Davis earned eight walks against CCS and four batters were hit by pitch. The Wolves left 13 baserunners stranded and struck out five times.
“We just struck out too much for right now,” Coach Linville said. “That’ll get better with time. You’ve got to find a way to score.”
Luke Linville worked three innings and allowed five runs on five hits. The sophomore struck out three and walked five.
Brenden Rawls relieved Linville in the fourth and surrendered a run on no hits. He struck out four and had one walk.
Royals 14 Wolves 2 (5)
Davis allowed 11 hits and committed five errors in game 2 against CCS. The Royals scored two runs in the top of the second, three in the third and nine in the fourth.
The Wolves managed five hits against CCS and avoided the shutout with two runs in the fifth.
“We just couldn’t do anything right,” Coach Linville said. “Couldn’t throw strikes and couldn’t hit the ball. Just probably too early in the season to be trying to play a doubleheader.”
Brenden Rawls went 3-3 with a double and an RBI. Lane Rawls was 1-2 with a walk and an RBI. Parker batted 1-3 with a double.
Melton started on the mound and worked into the third inning. He was relieved by freshman Gage Coppenbarger and Quaid Martin.
“Trying to maintain focus during a doubleheader and they took advantage of it,” Coach Linville said of the Royals. “It’s tough to make plays when you’re not throwing strikes. Errors and walks kind of go together.”
The Wolves will make their annual trip to the southeastern part of Oklahoma to compete during Spring Break in the Wright City Festival.
Davis is scheduled to play Arapaho-Butler March 16 at noon and Allen at 2 that same afternoon. Arapaho-Butler is currently ranked 15th in Class A.
The Wolves will wrap up their play in McCurtain County March 17 at 4 with a game against 14th ranked Stuart from Class B.