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History somewhat repeated itself in Tahlequahs regional tournament Thursday, but not entirely.

A year removed from upsetting a top-seeded Collinsville team on the first day of last seasons regional tournament one that the Tigers ultimately won by beating CHS a second time in the championship Tahlequah made lightening strike twice by knocking off the top-seeded Cardinals again, 2-1, in the first game of the 5A-8 Regional at the THS baseball complex.

But unlike last year, the Tigers werent able to secure their spot in the championship by the end of Day 1.

After suffering a 2-0 loss to Durant in Thursdays nightcap, THS drops to the losers bracket to play an elimination game Friday afternoon against Collinsville. The winner of that game will have to beat Durant twice to advance to next weeks Class 5A State Tournament.

The loss to Durant puts us in a tougher situation than what were hoping to be in [Friday], but weve made it happen before with a loss, THS head coach Lance Jeanes said. I really liked our defense today, and thats what carried us to the win in that first game, for the most part. Im sure [Collinsville] is tired of seeing us at regionals, but well have to get it done again tomorrow...

The Cardinals (22-10) played an elimination game Thursday night against Bishop McGuinness (8-26), which lost 15-2 to Durant (22-13) in its opening game, and picked up a 7-0 win to advance to Fridays knockout game against Tahlequah (12-14).

The Tigers first game Friday will start at 4 p.m. at the THS baseball complex.

The 5A-8 Regional Tournament was originally supposed to be hosted by the Cardinals, but was moved to Tahlequah after heavy rains flooded Collinsvilles field earlier in the week.

THS 2, CHS 1:

A breakout game at the plate for Cole Goodnight and a steady outing on the bump for starting pitcher R.J. Pearson lifted the Tigers in their upset win over the regionals No. 1 seed, Collinsville.

Goodnight, who went 3 for 3 in the game, accounted for both of Tahlequahs RBI, with one coming off a double in the top of the fourth inning and another off a triple in the fifth.

I was just trying to put the ball in play and help the team out however I could, Goodnight said.

When asked why Tahlequah seems to always bring its A-game against Collinsville, Stacy had a simple answer.

Its a rivalry game, he said.

Dustin Hicks (1 for 3) and Seth Stacy (1 for 3) each crossed home plate for THS, which finished with seven total hits.

Pearson tossed all seven innings of the game to pick up the win, dealing five strikeouts and two walks while limiting Collinsville to just four hits and one unearned run.

R.J. dealt today, Jeanes said. He had a lot of stuff working for him, and he could pitch with confidence because his defense was backing him up pretty well for most of the game.

Pearsons backup played error free for six innings, but suffered two miscues in the fourth that translated to Collinsvilles lone run.

THS 0, DHS 2:

A cold night at the plate resulted in just four total hits for Tahlequah as it was shutout by Durant starting pitcher Connor Roberts.

Roberts pitched all seven innings and tallied two strikeouts and three walks to earn the win.

The Tigers stranded nine baserunners in the game, including three in the bottom of the third. With one out and bases loaded in the frame, a line drive was hit by Stacy to the Durant shortstop, who caught the ball momentarily before dropping it during his throwing transition, as explained by umpires who called Stacy out on the play.

Meanwhile, Corbin Candy, who was on third base, thought the catch wasnt made and ran home, but was thrown out to end the inning.

We just left too many guys on base, Jeanes said. I mean, our guys were there but we just didnt capitalize. We had some bad breaks on some calls that were questionable, but other than that, we should have drove them in. That was our game to win.

The loss spoiled a stellar outing for starting pitcher Stacy, who had nine strikeouts while allowing four walks and six hits.

Stacy really did well and worked out of some jams, Jeanes said. He pitched his heart out, but he just didnt have the run support.

See more here:
Baseball Regionals: Tigers upset Collinsville, fall in nightcap - Tahlequah Daily Press