Phoenix staff report
YUKON — Cale Elam was firmly in control Thursday.
The Oktaha junior struck out 12 batters and gave up just a third-inning single as the Tigers dumped Rock Creek 8-0 in the Class A fall baseball quarterfinals at Yukon High School’s Miller Field.
Only three runners reached base as Elam improved to 8-1 for the season and the Tigers, advancing to the fall semifinals for the first time since 2001, won their ninth straight game to improve to 31-6.
“He only faced 24 batters, three over the minimum,” Oktaha coach Chris Burt said. “He struck out six batters in the first two innings. Cale threw well.”
Elam also got plenty of support. He helped his own cause with two hits and three runs scored. Jon Hayes had three hits and Shane Leach drove in three runs.
Rock Creek threatened in the third inning. After a lead off single, a throwing error put runners on second and third base with no outs. The next batter struck out, the next two batters grounded out and the inning was over.
Oktaha, a Class 2A state finalist last spring, plays the Verden-Tushka winner in the semifinals at 7:30 tonight at Oklahoma City’s Dolese Youth Park. The finals are 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Dolese.
“We still have pitching left,” Burt said.
Daniel Hayes (4-1) or Cameron Procter (6-1) will start for the Tigers, ranked No. 2 in the Okrankings.com final regular season poll.
