Warriors returning to state
Okarche wins Class A regional to make fall field for second straight year
BRETT CARNOTT delivers a pitch during Okarche’s 12-2 win over Roff on Thursday. Carnott had a big day in Okarche’s two-game run to the regional title. He went a combined 4 for 6, drove in four runs and scored five times. He also got the win against Ro
Okarche didn’t flinch either time it faced a two-run deficit on Thursday.
And because of it, the Warriors are headed back to the Class A state baseball tournament.
Third-ranked Okarche defeated No. 14 Roff 12-2 in six innings and then claimed the regional championship that night by downing No. 11 Hydro-Eakly 8-2 at home.
In both games, Okarche fell behind 2-0 before scoring.
Roff took advantage of two Okarche miscues in the second inning to stake its 2-0 lead.
The Warriors got one back in the bottom half of the inning, then plated two runs in the fourth to claim a narrow advantage.
They broke it open in the fifth as Easton Roby and Brett Carnott delivered back-to-back two-run singles.
Okarche scored five runs total in the frame, then four in the bottom of the sixth to enforce the run rule.
Roby, Carnott, Colin Hendrickson, Jett Mueggenborg and Sam Kroener had two hits apiece.
Mueggenborg drove in three runs while Carnott scored three times.
Carnott threw all six innings, allowed three hits and struck out four. Neither run was earned.
Hydro-Eakly pulled off a shocker in the regional’s second game when it upset No. 6 Canute 7-2.
Canute had beaten the Bobcats in their two previous meetings this season.
Hydro-Eakly carried that momentum right into the Okarche game by delivering two doubles and a single off of Roby.
That allowed the Bobcats to push home two runs.
However, Okarche got them right back - and then some - with five runs in the bottom of the frame.
Carnott, Ethan Kirby and Mueggenborg each had an RBI while Ryder Lykins pushed home two runs with his double.
The Warriors added three insurance runs in the fifth.
They didn’t need them as Roby settled down.
He only allowed one hit over the final six frames.
The junior struck out seven and walked three.
Carnott again went 2 for 3 in the game and drove in two runs. He also scored three times.
Also advancing to state Thursday were No. 1 Wright City, No. 2 Rattan and No. 4 Wister.
Four more teams advanced as regional consolation champs on Friday (after press time).
Okarche enters state with a 22-6 record.
This is the Warriors’ second straight fall and third straight season overall to advance to state.
They were semifinalists last fall, losing to Rattan in the second round.
They duplicated that feat last spring and reached the semis before falling to No. 1 Tushka.