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June 20, 2009

By JEREMY SHORT The Tahlequah Daily Press Sat Jun 20, 2009, 06:37 PM CDT

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — The Tahlequah Desperados American Legion baseball team traveled to Broken Arrow on Saturday for the first day of the Super Series Tournament at Indian Springs Sports Complex.

The 15-and-under tournament gave the Desperados, who have just one 15-year-old, a chance to play against older players.

“They throw the ball a little harder, they’re a little bigger and they run a little faster,” said Desperados coach Sergio Espinal.

Tahlequah lost both games, but were competitive in both as they fell 4-0 in the first game to the Broken Arrow Braves and 9-6 in the second game to the Van Buren Cardinals.

In the first game, Desperados pitcher Stephen Wheeler pitched a complete game, but Tahlequah lost the game 4-0.

Wheeler pitched all five innings and allowed just one earned run and six hits.

“He pitched good enough to win the game,” said Espinal.

Chance Stayathome had the lone hit for Tahlequah in the game.

In the second game against Van Buren, the Desperados jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Cardinals to hand Tahlequah a 9-6 loss.

“We came out really well, we just couldn’t hold on,” said Espinal.

After the Desperados put up three runs in the top of the first, Van Buren responded with three runs of their own to even the game at 3-to-3 going into the second inning.

“It all comes down to pitching,” said Espinal. “It was tough for him [Lane Cobb]. He caught the first game then we put him in to pitch.”

The Cardinals went on to outscore Tahlequah 6-3 in the remainder of the game to claim the three-run victory.

Logan Lewis, Connor Mutzig, Wheeler and Ryan Kirk all had hits for the Desperados in the game.

The Desperados resume play in the Super Series Tournament on Sunday. They will play their first game at 9 a.m. at the Indian Springs Sports Complex.

Tahlequah then resumes play in the Three Rivers Junior High Baseball League on Monday against Pryor at home.

The first game of the doubleheader will start at 5:30 p.m. at Phoenix Park.