The Liberal Rattlers ventured out for their second weekend of the season Saturday and Sunday at Midwest City High School in Oklahoma City. The Rattlers won two of three games in the tournament. Rain saturated the complex forcing an altered schedule.
The Rattlers played a late game with the Midwest City based Oklahoma Jets made up of players who play at Midwest City High School and some junior college players. After the Jets scored three in the top of the third, Liberal answered with three in the bottom of the third. The Rattlers broke the tied with four in the fifth to lead 7-3. Playing on their home field, the Jets rallied with three in the seventh but the Rattlers held on for their first win of the summer. Alex Schwindt pitched five strong innings with seven strikeouts and three walks. Austin Dodge pitched 1 and 1/3 allowing one earned run with two strikeouts. Hayden Pendergraft went 2/3 scoreless for the save. Liberal only had two true hits by Landon Martinez and Bren Kappelmann. Jet errors aided the Rattlers. Liberal committed two errors. The game ended past 11pm.
After a late night Saturday, the Rattlers were up bright and early Sunday morning for a 9am game against the Ada A’s. The was a pitcher’s dual early and was scoreless until the Rattlers scored three in the top of the fourth. The A’s scored one in the bottom of the fifth. The Rattlers scored two in the sixth to lead 5-1. The A’s scored two in the seventh but the Rattlers held on for the 5-3 win. The Rattlers out-hit the A’s 9-6. Bentlee Betts went 3 and 1/3 scoreless innings. Cy Greeson pitched one inning allowing one run. Blayden Betts pitched 2 and 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run. Bren Kappelmann had a big game offensively going 3-3 with two RBI’s. Landon Martinez added two hits. Alex Schwindt hit a double off the wall in left.
The Rattlers played a very talented Ada Braves 18 and older team Saturday afternoon in the Oklahoma City heat. The Rattlers succumbed 12-2. The Braves scored three in the first and nine in the second. Blayden Betts was 2-2 in the loss. Bren Kappelmann pitched two scoreless innings.
The Rattlers are 2-5 and play an exhibition game with the Liberal Bee Jays Wednesday night at 7pm at Brent Gould Field.
