Eufaula Beats Purcell to Advance to Class 3A Final

Originally Published: May 15, 2010 6:54 PM CDT

Steve McGehee
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

SHAWNEE, Oklahoma -- The Eufaula Ironheads knocked off the Purcell Dragons in the Class 3A semifinals 4-2 Saturday to advance to the Class 3A title game..

Eufaula pitcher Dylan Benson got out of a jam in the bottom of the second by striking out two Dragons with the bases loaded.

Eufaula loaded the bases in the top of the third inning with no outs. Braddock Dobbs walked and to bring Dylan Helms home and give Eufaula a 1-0 lead. With the bases still loaded, Purcell earned a force-out at home on a Dylan Benson ground ball to the shortstop. A throwing error by the catcher allowed Hayden Walch to score from second, giving the Ironheads a 2-0 lead.

The Dragons answered back in the bottom of the third inning. Dillon Hamilton singled to drive in a run, and Micah Estep scored from third on a wild pitch to tie game 2-2.

Helms’ two-run single in the top of the sixth putting Eufaula up 4-2, and all-but secured the victory for Eufaula.

Benson pitched seven innings for the Ironheads, allowing only five hits in the victory.

Eufaula will play Bethel at 6:30 p.m. Monday to try to win its first baseball Gold Ball.