Lorah pitches Owls past Duncan

ELGIN—Junior righthander Tres Lorah pitched a five-hit shutout to lead Elgin to a tense 1-0 victory over Duncan in the first of two critical games to determine the District 5A-2 title Monday at windy Owls Baseball Field.

The teams are now both 12-1 in district and will fight it out today at 5 p.m. at the Duncan High baseball field. Elgin climbed to 23-4 overall while Duncan falls to 25-7 after the loss.

Lorah wound up fanning 10, including getting two straight batters on called third strikes to end the top of the fourth and leave the bases loaded. He stranded two more Demons in scoring position in the top of the fifth when he enticed a Duncan batter to hit a bouncer to first base that James Vanderpool fielded and stepped on first to end that threat.

He gave up a two-out single in the sixth but got the next batter on a strikeout to keep the Owls in front. Then in the top of the seven he got the first two Demons on strikeouts, but the Demons got a runner on base via an error on a ground ball. But he got the next batter to hit a bouncer to shortstop Ritson Meyer who flipped to second to end the game.

“Tres threw an outstanding game, and has been outstanding out there for us all season,” Elgin coach Eli Garrett said. “He did get that loss to Midwest City but he only gave up two hits and that lone run.”

Lorah stuck with a strong fastball, change-up and slider to keep the Demons guessing much of the game as six of the strikeouts were on called third strikes.

Garrett also gave credit to catcher Grady Thomas who has been calling pitches for the Elgin pitchers.

“We started doing that after winning the state title in 2017,” Garrett said. “His older brother caught for me and he did a good job calling pitches so we just kept doing it. We talk over how we are going to pitch to certain batters and every now and then in certain situations we might call a pitch. But he’s done a good job all season.”

The Owls faced a pair of good pitchers and they had to work for their lone run that came in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Jayce Ramirez started on the mound for the Demons and was moving along well, holding the Owls to one hit in the first three innings, that a bunt single by Jaxon Southerland.

In the bottom of the fourth Ramirez got a fly ball out but walked Vanderpool.

Lorah followed with a high pop fly that was touched fair by the Demons’ catcher Jackson Poage, then rolled to foul territory. But Duncan catcher was able to throw to second to catch Vanderpool who was caught in no-man’s land on the popup, leaving Lorah at first.

Thomas got the next chance at the plate and delivered a line drive single into right field that found grass to put two runners on with two outs. Nate Gonzalez got the next chance at the plate and on the second pitch Ramirez sent to home, he twisted his ankle and was unable to continue after throwing two more balls to walk Gonzalez.

Duncan coach Randy Smith then gave the ball to senior Eli Ramirez who came in from center to try and bail the Demons out of the bases-loaded jam. Lanky sophomore Lucas Young got the chance to break the tie and he did all he needed to do against E. Ramirez, make contact. His bouncer just left of second base was misplayed and Young’s long stride just got him to first to beat the throw and get the lead run home.

After that Lorah was double tough to seal the outcome and give the Owls a chance at a district title.

Garrett said he will probably go with sophomore Ritson Meyer on the mound in today’s game at Duncan to finally decide the district champion.