News-Times Staff
NORPHLET - The El Dorado Oilers recorded a key sweep of a doubleheader in Zone 4 play Monday, as the Oilers downed Arkadelphia by scores of 8-6 and 3-2.
In the opener, the Oilers scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to erase a 6-4 deficit before Reece Griffin turned in a sterling performance in the nightcap.
Arkadelphia scored four runs in the first to take an early lead in the first game, but the Oilers responded with three runs in the first and a run in the second to tie the game.
After Arkadelphia scored two runs in the top of the sixth to retake the lead, the Oilers rallied for a second time.
Jacob Boshears, who went 4-for-4, hit a one-out double off the fence in left, and Griffin followed with an RBI single to bring the Oilers within a run.
Connor Cates and Bryce Ware followed with singles to load the bases, Cade Schibler gave the Oilers their first lead by ripping a three-run double to right-center.
Leighton Turbeville worked a scoreless seventh to pick up the save. He struck out two and walked one.
Cates picked up the win in relief. He allowed two runs with one being earned in two innings. He struck out four and didn’t issue any walks.
Schibler was the Oilers’ starter, allowing four runs in four innings. He allowed six hits, walked four and struck out four.
Boshears had an RBI single in the second, stole a base and scored two runs as part of his perfect night at the plate.
Griffin went 2-for-3, adding a two-run double in the first along with a walk, two runs scored and three RBIs.
Cates added an RBI single in the first while going 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
Robbie Roberson was 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and two stolen bases, while Ware added a walk and scored a run for the Oilers.
In completing the sweep of Arkadelphia, Griffin fired a four-hitter. He walked five and struck out two while surrendering only one earned run.
The Oilers scored single runs in the first, second and fourth innings to give Griffin all of the run support he would need.
In the first, Roberson led off with a single, stole second and scored on a double to right by Turbeville.
Garrett Jeans got the Oilers’ rally started in the second with a one-out walk.
Gage Otwell followed with a single, and with two outs, Roberson delivered a base hit to center to score Jeans to give the Oilers a 2-0 lead.
The visitors cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom of the second, but the Oilers answered in the fourth.
As was the case in the second, the Oilers took advantage of a free pass to score a run.
Ware drew a one-out walk, stole second, and Otwell came up with a big two-out hit by driving in Ware with a base hit to right to make it 3-1.
Roberson went 2-for-3, while Otwell was 2-for-2 in the win for the Oilers.
Schibler had a double while going 1-for-2, and Turbeville had a walk along with his RBI double to finish 1-for-2.
The Oilers (10-12-1, 2-0) will play at Texarkana Friday in a doubleheader.