Baseball teams stay in playoff picture

The boys of spring are at it again and another season of high school baseball is halfway in the record books.

Midway through this baseball season the four area high school teams - Midwest City, Del City, Carl Albert and Choctaw - are still in the hunt for regional and state honors.

As the regular season is coming to a conclusion, all eyes are on tournament play and the chance to extend this season for just a few more games. For senior players, this is the opportunity for one more day in the sun, and maybe a shot at the coveted state title.

Bombers earn no-hitter The Midwest City Bombers, led by head coach Jay Vermillion, enters the midpoint of the season with a record of 6-4 (2-0 in district play), a top 20 ranking and much needed momentum. In their most recent contest, they bombed the El Reno Indians. The Bomber bats were alive, and the pitching staff was masterful as they no-hit the Indians in a 16-0 win.

Ranked No. 2 in 5A With a record of 8-1 this season, this year’s team may be the best Carl Albert Titan head coach Wayne Dozier has put together. The team is currently ranked No. 2, and has lived up to its reputation as a perennial powerhouse.

So far this season, the pitching staff and outstanding defense have handcuffed Titan opponents. Five of their victories have been via shutout. Carl Albert’s only loss came to Shawnee, a team that also is ranked in the top five.

“Although we have been successful to this point, it is too early to compare this team to our state championship teams. We still have to grind it out and work hard as we reach the tough part of our schedule,” he said.

Prior to heading to the Choctaw Tournament on April 4, the Titans have big district games with the Guthrie Bluejays and the Duncan Demons, both of which are ranked in the top 10 in Class 5A.

Home sweet home David Weaver’s Del City Eagles have enjoyed the home field advantage so far this season, with a record of 4-1 at home. Playing away from home has proven to be a detriment for Eagles with a 0-2 road record. The Eagles are scheduled to play Southeast High School for the second consecutive night, this time on the Spartan’s home dirt. The Spartans are looking for payback after a 12-1 loss to the Eagles.

Poised for playoffs Meanwhile Choctaw head coach Mark Craft and his Yellowjacket squad is poised for a strong second half finish. Currently ranked as the No. 15 team in Class 6A, the Yellowjackets are 5-3 (3-1 in district contests), and are headed out of state to match pitches with the Word of Life team from Wichita, Kan. The Yellowjackets face a formidable challenge on back to back nights against the Yukon Millers April 9-10. The team wraps up its regular season schedule April 24 at Lawton Eisenhower.

Eastern Oklahoma County baseball teams are battling it out for spots in the playoffs. Choctaw and Midwest City played backto-back games earlier this week. The Bombers won both games by 3-1 and 9-3 scores. (File Photo)