BASEBALL: Verdigris routs Grove in district finale

Apr. 22—Verdigris left no doubt as to who reigns supreme in District 4A-7.

The Cardinals completed their undefeated run through the district Wednesday, blasting Grove 12-2 to increase their winning streak to six games.

Coach Brian Keith's squad finished the season with an unblemished district mark of 12-0, but its regular season campaign hasn't ended quite yet. Before the playoffs begin, Verdigris is set to embark on a two-game road trip to Oktaha and Adair on Friday and Monday, respectively.

The Cardinals (21-6) finished with only six hits in the victory, but half of them came during a seven-run sixth that saw a pair of triples from Jax Ryan and Logan Hall. The former's hit drove in three runs to increase to the lead to 8-2, and he scored on an error five pitches before the latter brought two more runs home with his hit.

A sacrifice fly from Ty Gladu scored Hall for the final run of the game.

Hall and Jaren Keith led Verdigris at the plate with two hits apiece.

The Ridgerunners logged a triple as well on a Wyatt Wall hit in the first to take a 1-0 lead, and Caden Gain made it 2-0 the following inning with a single to right field.

The Cardinals took the lead for good in the bottom half, though, tallying five runs behind two bases-loaded walks and singles from Gladu and Keith.

Cody Bressie got the win on the mound, tossing five strikeouts on 90 pitches while allowing five hits and three walks through six innings.

Layne Rutherford took the loss for Grove, though three other pitchers saw time on the mound as well. He allowed two hits, five runs and four walks on 39 pitches in only one inning of action.

The Ridgerunners finished third in District 4A-7 with an 8-4 record in league play and an overall mark of 18-11.