Rattan wins title for Jones
SHAWNEE — Karen Jones wiped tears from her eyes as the Class A state baseball tournament resumed Saturday afternoon.
Nearly nine hours later, Jones was again emotional as she watched her son’s teammates, classmates and friends celebrate an improbable state title after a 5-3, eight-inning win over Roff at Ed Skelton Field.
Brandon Jones was a huge part of Rattan’s team through his senior season. But a month-long layoff after Wright City challenged the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association’s forfeiture ruling ran out the clock on Jones’ high school career.
Last Sunday, Jones reported to basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Saturday afternoon, he officially began training, though his parents were able to get a quick phone call in to him to let him know about the Rams’ 12-1 semifinal win over Cashion.
Rattan’s players held Brandon’s No. 23 jersey during pregame introductions, first-game starter Cade Clay wrote Brandon’s number on the mound before the semifinal started and after the title was won, Karen was presented with her son’s state championship medal.
Before the trophy was handed out, players lined up to hug the Jones family.
“It shows that his teammates care,” Andy Jones, Brandon’s father, said. “That’s just the way Rattan kids are. They’re real caring kids.”
For much of the game, it didn’t look like Rattan would get to finish the storybook ending.
Rattan trailed 3-1 going into the bottom of the seventh and had managed just three hits off of Roff starter Mike Anderson.
But the Rams scratched across a pair to stay alive after a leadoff walk started some momentum going Rattan’s way.
Then in the eighth, things fell apart for Roff and everything went Rattan’s way. The Tigers committed three errors to give Rattan two unearned runs after Tanner McAdams led off the inning with a single. Both runs came with two outs.
“It’s bittersweet,” Adams said of the win. “We sure wish he could’ve been here. We did this for him and us.”
A year after coming behind to win three games in the state tournament, Rattan had another.
“These kids just keep fighting,” Rams coach Ryan Cordell said. “They give us good at-bats. That’s just how they are. They’re tough kids. I can’t take any credit for that.”
Brandon Jones isn’t likely to be able to make or receive a call for several weeks, so he’ll likely learn of Rattan’s state championship win by letter.
“It doesn’t replace him being here,” Cordell said. “I just wish he could’ve been here to be a part of it. But for us to go out and use him as inspiration is something these kids will remember for a long time.”
JONATHAN DENNEY, YUKON
Position: Catcher Class: Senior The story: Denney was excellent at the plate, hitting .459 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs. He also drew plenty of walks, as many teams chose to pitch around the feared slugger. Denney was impressive behind the plate as well, though this season not many teams tried to run on him or even take big leads after Denney regularly picked runners off as a junior.
GAVIN LAVALLEY, CARL ALBERT
Position: First Baseman Class: Junior The story: LaValley split time between the corner infield spots this season, but wherever he was, he hit. LaValley hit .477 with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs. He was also solid on the mound, going 6-0 with a 2.62 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings.
TRE EDWARDS, SOUTHMOORE
Position: Second Baseman Class: Senior The story: The Arkansas signee hit .370 with 10 stolen bases and 14 doubles. He was also excellent in the field, primarily playing shortstop but manning both middle infield spots at times.
JOEL DAVIS, MIDWEST CITY
Position: Shortstop Class: Senior The story: After undergoing Tommy John surgery in the fall, Davis came back to hit .451 with five home runs and 36 RBIs this season. He also stole 16 bases.
BRYAN DUTTON, GUTHRIE
Position: Third Baseman Class: Senior The story: The Bluejays’ three-sport star turned in another great season, hitting .447 with four home runs and 40 RBIs and 39 runs scored. He had a .552 on-base percentage and a .952 fielding percentage.
LANDON EASON, YUKON
Position: Outfielder Class: Senior The story: Eason hit .378 with four home runs, 51 RBIs and eight stolen bases this year. The Rose State signee protected player of the year Jonathan Denney in the lineup. Drove in 79 runs during his career.
COLE LINDLEY, DEER CREEK
Position: Outfielder Class: Senior The story: After missing all of fall workouts with a medical condition, Lindley hit .458 with 33 RBIs and 26 stolen bases to help lead the Antlers back to the Class 5A state tournament.
CHEVIN NOONE, CARL ALBERT
Position: Outfielder Class: Senior The story: Noone was spectacular both at the plate and on the mound for the 5A champions. Protecting LaValley in the order, Noone hit .400 with eight home runs and 43 RBIs. He was 7-0 with a 1.16 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings, walking only 10.
DANIEL HERRON, NORMAN NORTH
Position: Designated Hitter Class: Senior The story: Herron hit .462 with 21 RBIs and 27 stolen bases for the Class 6A finalists. The second baseman also finished first academically in his class.