Bethel Survives Late Rally to Take Down Sperry

Originally Published: May 15, 2010 3:26 PM CDT

Steve McGehee
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

Shawnee, Oklahoma -- The Bethel Wildcats hung in to defeat the Sperry Pirates 6-5 in the Class 3A semifinals Saturday.

The sixth inning was a key frame for both sides. Bethel's Brandon Williams delivered a run-scoring single to give the Wildcats a 5-1 advantage. Williams scored moments later on a Derek McMahon single to give the Wildcats a seemingly insurmountable 6-1 lead. But Sperry did not go quietly.

The Pirates responded in the bottom of the sixth, when junior Shane Bay hit a three-run home run to right with two outs to rally the Pirates to within a run of the Wildcats.

The seven-time state champions had a chance to tie or win the game in the bottom of the seventh, but junior Barrett Bowman flied out to center field with two on base to end the game.

Bethel will play Eufaula at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the 3A State Championship game.