LIVE Blog: Edmond Santa Fe 1, Deer Creek 0 – Final
Some news and numbers to throw out to you to wrap up the coverage of Santa Fe’s 1-0 win against Deer Creek. Read more in Sunday’s paper and look for a video with Blackburn on NewsOK.
* Pitchers Clayton Blackburn (11), Michael Fulmer (11) and Kyle Shaw (3) combined for 25 strikeouts out of a possible 42 outs.
* Nobody had more than one hit. Blackburn had lone RBI on sacrifice fly to score Lacy.
* The only Antler to not strike out was shortstop Brian Anderson (Arkansas signee). Anderson didn’t have one of the two hits, though. Three Wolves didn’t K (Conor Costello, Brady Newville and Zac Cobble). However, none of them figured in the only run.
* Blackburn’s no-hitter was broken up by a bunt single with two outs in the fifth by Hunter Dinkines. The single eventually led to the final out of the inning at home plate when DC tried scoring from second base on the bunt.
* Blackburn struck out seven consecutive batters at one point. Fulmer retired 10 of the last 11. Only person to reach had the courtesy runner caught stealing.
* The loss snaps Deer Creek’s 21-game winning streak and is first loss to in-state opponent.
* Santa Fe’s Lonny Cobble: “We’re as healthy as we’ve been all season today. Our arms are coming back, and we’re feeling really good.”
* Deer Creek’s Ron Moore: “Anybody who says a loss is a good thing before the playoffs – that’s a bunch of bull. You want to win every game. We let a couple of opportunities slip away. The competition level today was great and Michael threw the ball really well.”
5:54 – Kyle Shaw strikes out the side.
Edmond Santa Fe 1, Deer Creek 0 – Final
Brandon Swindall’s long wait ends with commitment to Utah State
Millwood star Brandon Swindall is headed to Utah State.
By now, most college football programs are deep into recruiting the class of 2012.
But Brandon Swindall is happy Utah State wasn’t finished with 2011 yet.
Swindall, the Millwood receiver who earned a spot on the Parade All-America team after a stellar senior season, committed to Utah State on Friday, ending a surprisingly long, frustrating recruiting process.
“I can’t even tell you what it was like,” Swindall said. “But I don’t have to worry about it anymore. Everyone was relieved.”
Swindall started drawing college interest last summer and several big-name programs, like Houston, Arkansas and Nebraska, looked hard at him. Tulsa offered early, but fell off. And New Mexico came in later, but the coach who was recruiting Swindall got another job — at Utah State.
That coach was Sallisaw native and Utah State alum Matt Wells, who also spent a few years on the staff at Tulsa. He was brought in to be the quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator for the Aggies, where he lettered in three seasons playing quarterback.
As the staff looked for the person to fill its final scholarship spot, Wells fought hard for Swindall, with the offer finally coming on Thursday.
“He was recruiting me for a long time when he was at New Mexico,” Swindall said. “Then he went to Utah State, so I had a good relationship with him. He called me a couple days ago and said they wanted to offer me.”
Swindall had more than 1,300 receiving yards and 17 touchdown catches in helping the Falcons to the Class 2A semifinals last season. He set himself apart with his long body, leaping ability, good hands and knack for adjusting to the ball when it’s in the air.
He led the state with 17 interceptions as a cornerback and set a National Federation of State High School Associations record by returning eight picks for touchdowns.
And he’s the third player from last year’s Millwood team to go to a Division I program, along with Josh Turner (Texas) and Davion Pierson (TCU).
Swindall will join another former Falcon at Utah State. Cameron Sanders will be a third-year sophomore and is expected to challenge for a starting spot at cornerback next season after switching from wide receiver before last season.
Swindall also hopes to get on the field in the fall.
“They said I’ll have a chance to play my first year,” Swindall said. “I’ve just got to go down there and work. They throw the ball quite a bit, so it’s gonna be cool.”
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Video: Norman’s Donovan Roberts talks about committing to Arkansas
Part of me was shocked to hear that Norman running back Donovan Roberts committed to Arkansas on Wednesday. The writer in me was thrilled I didn’t have to hound the junior all summer about recruiting updates.
But the part that was shocked was because I didn’t think Roberts had reached his ceiling in terms of schools that were going to offer him. That’s just how good he can really be. With offers from nearly every big conference in the nation, I felt he could pick and choose.
However, Roberts was pretty sure about Arkansas after his first visit. He named a top four of Pittsburgh, Michigan, Arizona and the Razorbacks. And after getting the seal of approval from Mom (hey, that’s the biggest approval you need), Roberts made it official.
Did he do it too early? Not if you ask him.
“When you know in your heart that this is where you want to be, there’s no point in waiting,” Roberts said. “You want to get on that wagon before it’s too late.”
Roberts said talking to Arkansas running backs also convinced him Fayetteville was the place to be. And if you think he’s a soft commit, Roberts quickly debunked that: “I’m a Hog 100 percent. I’m done.”
Roberts is ranked No. 5 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 for 2012 and rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a junior.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Slowpitch softball state pairings
OSSAA will release 6A and A when all regionals are complete. 4A-6A is Wednesday at ASA, while 3A-A is Tuesday. UPDATE: Here’s everything.
Slowpitch Softball
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Wednesday
Class 6A
Game 1: Jenks vs. Poteau, 1:45 (Field 1)
Game 2: Tulsa Union vs. Moore, 11:15 a.m. (Field 3)
Game 3: Westmoore vs. Muskogee, 11:15 (Field 4)
Game 4: Southmoore vs. Tahlequah, 1:45 (Field 2)
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 3:15 (Field 2)
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 3:15 (Field 3)
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 6:15 (Field 1)
Class 5A
Game 1: Bethel vs. Morris, 11:15 a.m. (Field 1)
Game 2: Purcell vs. Vian, 12:30 p.m. (Field 4)
Game 3: Blanchard vs. Valliant, 12:30 (Field 3)
Game 4: Blackwell vs. Little Axe, 11:15 a.m. (Field 2)
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 1:45 (Field 3)
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 1:45 (Field 4)
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 4:45 (Field 1)
Class 4A
Game 1: Dale vs. Washington, 10 a.m. (Field 1)
Game 2: Colbert vs. Warner, 10 a.m. (Field 3)
Game 3: Haskell vs. Latta, 10 a.m. (Field 2)
Game 4: Konawa vs. Apache, 10 a.m. (Field 4)
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 12:30 (Field 1)
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 12:30 (Field 2)
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 3:15 (Field 1)
Tuesday
Class 3A
Game 1: Rattan vs. Fletcher, 1:45 (Field 1)
Game 2: Barnsdall vs. Merritt, 11:15 a.m. (Field 3)
Game 3: Healdton vs. Tushka, 11:15 a.m. (Field 4)
Game 4: Wayne vs. Dewar, 1:45 (Field 2)
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 3:15 (Field 3)
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 3:15 (Field 2)
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 6:15 (Field 1)
Class 2A
Game 1: Binger-Oney vs. Sterling, 11:15 a.m. (Field 1)
Game 2: Stonewall vs. Sentinel, 12:30 p.m. (Field 3)
Game 3: Tupelo vs. Turner, 12:30 (Field 4)
Game 4: New Lima vs. Fort Cobb-Broxton, 11:15 a.m. (Field 2)
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 1:45 (Field 3)
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 1:45 (Field 4)
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 4:45 (Field 1)
Class A
Game 1: Leedey vs. Moss, 10 a.m. (Field 1)
Game 2: Covington-Douglas vs. Coleman, 10 a.m. (Field 3)
Game 3: Red Oak vs. Maud, 10 a.m. (Field 4)
Game 4: Shattuck vs. Hammon, 10 a.m. (Field 2)
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 12:30 (Field 2)
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 12:30 (Field 1)
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 3:15 (Field 1)
No. 3 Edmond Santa Fe vs. No. 1 Deer Creek, what more do you want?
Kyle Lacy and Jackson Matthews have played big roles in helping Edmond Santa Fe this season.
There should be a ‘Boneman’ championship trophy given to the winner of Saturday’s Edmond Santa Fe and Deer Creek baseball game. Somebody get on that and design the trophy. We only have a day to get it done.
I haven’t gotten to see Broken Arrow or Owasso this season (and we know how awesome both of those teams are), but when you talk about the west side, it’s been the Wolves and the Antlers.
There’s not much more either team can do to stand out at this point. They’ve both made their mark on this season and both know it won’t matter unless they can claim that championship in two weeks. Regardless, it should be a whole lotta fun at John Hundley Memorial Field at Deer Creek.
Coaches Lonny Cobble and Ron Moore have said they’re going to throw their aces – Michael Fulmer for the Antlers and Clayton Blackburn for the Wolves. Fulmer, of course, has signed with Arkansas, while Blackburn is going to be a Sooner.
No idea how long either will throw. I can’t imagine them going more than 4-5 innings. It might be where they reach a certain pitch count limit and then are taken out. For however long they’re both on the mound, it will be a showcase of two of the best. And again, for the west side, the version of Archie Bradley vs. Dylan Bundy.
Deer Creek started the season 6-0 before going 0-4 in a tournament in Alabama. It fueled the team, initially, and the Antlers haven’t let up yet. Brian Anderson is one of the best players around and has also signed with Arkansas. Every time I see him I’m more impressed. Fulmer is also a solid hitter, and I like what Ross Stracke brings to the table. And Isaac Hellbusch, well, his stock has gone up so much since the beginning of the season.
The "Arkansas boys" as Michael Fulmer and Brian Anderson have led Deer Creek to another great season.
The Antlers have won 21 consecutive games and have not lost to an in-state component this season. Notable wins include at Carl Albert, Norman North, Westmoore, Stillwater, Chickasha, Guthrie (twice), Bishop McGuinness (twice).
Santa Fe has been every bit as good as expected. This season also marked coach Cobble’s 500th win with the Wolves but that didn’t serve as a distraction.
Between Conor Costello (Arkansas) and Ty Hensley and Blackburn, that’s a scary trio either on the mound or at the plate. Easton Mitchell has surprised me all season as a pitcher, and the ‘Kyles’ Lacy and Shaw can both bring it.
The Wolves’ biggest win was last Saturday at Broken Arrow. Under next year’s single elimination format, that would spell the end of the Tigers. I think that’s part of the reason the coaches weren’t in favor of that. Show you can do it again. That’s another argument for another time.
Santa Fe has had the target on its back and has been up to the challenge. Two wins against Yukon, Putnam City North. Wins against Norman North, Westmoore, among others.
The game was originally scheduled for 6 p.m. However, Santa Fe has Prom on Saturday so the game has been moved (yay) to 4 p.m. and will also be on Cox.
So as I asked in the title, No. 3 Edmond Santa Fe (6A) vs. No. 1 Deer Creek (5A)…what more do you want?
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Class 6A-5A fastpitch softball district assignments
Fastpitch Softball Districts
As assigned by the OSSAA for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years
Class 6A
District 1
Southmoore, Edmond North, Mustang, Norman, Putnam City North, Lawton Eisenhower, Norman North, Putnam City
District 2
Edmond Santa Fe, Yukon, Moore, Westmoore, Midwest City, US Grant, Del City, Lawton
District 3
Tulsa Union, Edmond Memorial, Putnam City West, Stillwater, Enid, Choctaw, Sand Springs, Jenks
District 4
Broken Arrow, Sapulpa, Ponca City, Claremore, Muskogee, Bixby, Bartlesville, Owasso
Class 5A
District 1
El Reno, Carl Albert, Deer Creek, Bishop McGuinness, Guthrie, Shawnee, Northwest Classen, Southeast.
District 2
Chickasha, Duncan, Noble, Altus, Lawton MacArthur, Ardmore, Western Heights, Capitol Hill
District 3
Skiatook, Grove, Pryor, Tahlequah, Tulsa Edison, Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa East Central
District 4
Coweta, McAlester, Collinsville, Durant, Tulsa Washington, Tulsa Kelley, Tulsa Hale.
Soccer: 5A playoff boys, girls brackets
The OSSAA said the boys bracket will be released later tonight. One game has to be completed for everything to be official. When the boys bracket is released, I will post it below. UPDATE: Now the OSSAA is saying the boys is ready to be released and the girls will be ready later tonight. UPDATE again: Here ya go with the girls pairings, too.
Class 5A Soccer
Girls
First Round
May 3
Harrah at Durant
Chickasha at Bishop McGuinness
Tahlequah at Tulsa Kelley
Skiatook at Tulsa Washington
Pryor at Coweta
Tulsa Edison at Claremore
Noble at Deer Creek
Northwest Classen at Carl Albert
Class 5A Soccer
Boys
First Round
May 3
Bishop McGuinness at Lawton MacArthur
Carl Albert at Northwest Classen
Tulsa Memorial at Tulsa Kelley
Skiatook at Tahlequah
Pryor at Tulsa Washington
Tulsa Edison at Tulsa East Central
Durant at Deer Creek
Southeast at Altus
Baseball: Putnam City North regional bracket
OK, these are all the ones I have. And if anybody knows any other 5A-6A ones, don’t hesitate to send ‘em along.
Class 6A Baseball
West
At Putnam City North
Wednesday
Game 1: Putnam North vs. Norman, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Putnam City vs. Moore, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 7 p.m.
Friday
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m. (if necessary)
Baseball: Carl Albert, Deer Creek, Guthrie regional brackets
Class 5A Baseball
West
At Carl Albert
Tuesday
Game 1: Carl Albert vs. Western Heights, 2 p.m.
Game 2: Capitol Hill vs. El Reno, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 6 p.m.
Wednesday
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 6 p.m.
Thursday
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 6 p.m. (if necessary)
At Deer Creek
Wednesday
Game 1: Deer Creek vs. Northwest Classen, 1:30
Game 2: Noble vs. Lawton MacArthur, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 6:30
Thursday
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 6:30
Friday
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 6:30 (if necessary)
At Guthrie
Wednesday
Game 1: Guthrie vs. Tulsa East Central, noon
Game 2: McGuinness vs. Skiatook, 2:30
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 5 p.m.
Thursday
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 2:30
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 5 p.m.
Friday
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 2:30
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 5 p.m. (if necessary)
Baseball: Norman North, Broken Arrow regional brackets
Class 6A Baseball
West
Wednesday
At Norman North
Game 1: Norman North vs. Lawton, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Choctaw vs. Midwest City, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 7 p.m.
Friday
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m. (if necessary)
East
Wednesday
At Broken Arrow
Game 1: Edmond Memorial vs. Claremore, 1:30
Game 2: Broken Arrow vs. Putnam West, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 6:30
Thursday
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 6:30
Friday
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 6:30 (if necessary)
