BASEBALL: Claremore falls to Noble in 5A Shootout Festival

The McAlester 5A Shootout Festival lived up to its namesake in Thursday’s matchup between Claremore and Noble. In a back-and-forth battle filled with momentum swings and timely hits, the Zebras couldn’t quite keep pace with the Bears, falling 6-4 in a rematch of last year’s Class 5A state quarterfinals — a game Noble also won, 10-3. Claremore [17-9] saw solid contributions throughout the lineup, with Braden Trail going 1-for-3, while Kellen Gaede, John Tedesco and Xyler Reeder each added hits.

Tedesco and Reeder drove in runs, and the Zebras turned 2 double plays defensively to stay within striking distance. On the mound, Ryder Garrison kept Claremore competitive through 4 2/3 innings, allowing 4 runs [3 earned] on 7 hits. Lucas Dupont took the loss in relief, surrendering 2 runs in the sixth, while the Bears’ Trent Shortes earned the win with 6 innings of work.

For Noble [15-11], Dierks Wente proved to be the difference-maker, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs, including 2 doubles and a key bases-loaded walk. The Bears struck first in the opening inning when Wente lined a double to left, scoring Weston Randolph for a 1-0 lead. However, the Zebras answered with their biggest inning in the third.

After reaching via walk and error, Claremore tied the game on a wild pitch that allowed a run to score. Moments later, Tyler Osgood reached on an error that brought home another run, and Tedesco added a sacrifice fly to push the Zebras ahead 3-1. Noble chipped away in the bottom half of the third.