It was one of the most bizarre endings anyone has ever seen in high school baseball on Friday evening. Guthrie intentionally walked three consecutive Deer Creek batters in the bottom of the seventh inning to purposely lose 8-7. However, with the one-run loss, Guthrie claims a district championship and the top seed for next week’s regional.
Huh? What?
Going into the game played in Edmond, Guthrie already had secured a home regional as either the one or two seed. A Guthrie win and they would be the district champions, McGuinness the two seed and would leave Deer Creek the third seed (on the road) at Chickasha for next week’s regionals.
If Deer Creek were to win by two runs or more (over Guthrie) then they would be the district champions leaving the Jays the two seed. However, a one-run Antler win leaves Guthrie the top seed and Deer Creek the two seed.
So in the seventh inning with Guthrie winning 7-6, Deer Creek grounded out for the first two outs of the inning. The next Antler lined a single and was followed up by what look like a game ending strike-out for the Jays, but the ball got away from the BlueJay catcher to put runners on first and second.
Head coach Jon Chappell then requested an intentional walk to load the bases to what appeared to bring up a hitter, who had struck out in his three previous at bats. However, as soon as Deer Creek announced a pinch hitter to the umpire, Chappell requested another intentional walk to bring home the tying run (7-7).
As soon as the tying run came across, Chappell again instructed the confused umpire to put the next batter on base which brought in the game’s winning run (8-7).
Yep. A walk off intentional walk.
Fans, umpires and Deer Creek coaches stood in shock of what they had just seen by not knowing how the scenario played out.
Reed Roberts
With the new district alignment in baseball, in case of a tie in standings between two teams, the first tie breaker is runs differential and proving why the Jays could lose by one run and still be district champions.
Both Guthrie and Deer Creek finish with identical 12-2 records.
It appeared Guthrie was going to run away the game as they jumped out to a 7-1 advantage after the second inning, but Deer Creek chipped away at the lead before getting the bizarre walk off win.
Time, dates and opponents for regionals have not been released at this time.
I thought I was watching a great baseball game with DC chipping away and after the dropped 3rd strike putting two on with two outs in the bottom of the 7th, as a fan of baseball, I really wanted to see what would happen. Unfortunately, “Strategery” left the players, coaches and fans disappointed. I hope they didn’t outsmart themselves. Okay, actually I hope they did.
Please, Please, Please both teams make it to the state championship….
Disappointed DC Fan!
Deer Creek fan, you should be happy about this since you got a 2 seed and don’t have to travel for your regional. It is disappointing it came down to this though. Don’t blame the coach, blame the rules. The game should always be about competition but if it improves your possition so be it.
4/26/13 and we have the 1st coverage of Guthrie Varsity Baseball, very nice
uco83522 (unknown public name) Would be glad to get you out to all the games next year for complete coverage. We will all appreciate it and I would be glad to publish it.
There hasn’t been much coverage of HS baseball on any of the state websites this year really
How about that! Looks like you can win for losing!