Lincoln Christian picked up two more wins over the weekend in a loaded event in Claremore, as the Bulldogs continued to find a way in close games.

The Bulldogs (13-4) came from behind to beat Skiatook on Thursday afternoon 4-3, before Lincoln got another close victory in a 4-2 win against Claremore on Thursday night.

On Friday, Lincoln fell behind big early to Sallisaw in a 12-5 loss and did the same on Saturday, falling 10-3 to Tahlequah.

The Bulldogs four opponents in the Tiger/Zebra Festival were a combined 47-17 on the year, which made for a tough weekend but one that helped Lincoln improve.

"We played four high-quality opponents this weekend," said Lincoln head coach Greg Harmon. "It was our most difficult non-district stretch of the season. I thought our guys showed the ability to win with both hitting and playing small ball."

Harmon praised his team for facing some big-time pitching and knows that these type of weekends help prepare his group for what is to come in May.

"We saw four phenomenal pitchers and we beat two of them," he said. "This type of competition is what will help prepare us for our ultimate goal, which is to make a run to the state tournament. If we have already seen this type of pitching, we won't be surprised by it when it comes postseason time."

The Bulldogs will have a home-and-home district matchup with Wyandotte today and tomorrow before hosting Glenpool on Thursday and traveling to NOAH on Saturday for non-district matchups.

LINCOLN 4, SKIATOOK 3

The Bulldogs need another come from behind win on Thursday afternoon against a good Skiatook team, as Lincoln rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win on another walk off.

Lincoln trailed 3-0 heading into the bottom of the 5th before the Bulldogs tied it.

Jaxon Crumbliss and Beaux Brumble started off the inning by each walking before senior Chandler Cozbey laced a triple to right field, scoring both and making it 3-2.

Two hitters later with two outs, sophomore Aiden Hendren singled to right to score Cozbey and tie the game.

Later on in the bottom of the 7th, Hendren delivered again.

After senior Cole Dooley opened the inning with a single, Cozbey bunted and reached on a single of his own.

The next hitter, senior Carter Ricke, did the same, reaching base on a bunt single to load the bases.

That's when Hendren singled to center, allowing Reed Martin, who entered the game as a pinch-runner for Dooley, to score and walk it off.

"We faced a good lefty that had a good fastball, a good curveball and a great pickoff move," said Harmon. "We executed two drag bunts and Aiden came up clutch for us to win the game."

Cozbey started the game and went four innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out six hitters.

Kade Poplin was great in relief for Lincoln, throwing three shutout innings, allowing just three hits and one walk.

Cozbey, Ricke, Hendren and freshmen Major Brooks each had two hits for Lincoln in the win.

LINCOLN 4, CLAREMORE 2

The Bulldogs had not one but two big wins last Thursday, as Lincoln got a stellar performance on the mound from Hendren in one of the biggest victories in recent years.

Hendren went 5.2 innings and allowed just two earned runs, while striking out a whopping 13 hitters.

He scattered eight hits and walked just two, delivering big time when his team needed it most.

"He was dominant," said Harmon. "He was upper 80s even late into his start and had all three pitches working. His fastball, curveball and change were all great."

Claremore scored in the 1st inning and led 1-0 through three innings before Lincoln took the lead.

After singles by Brumble and Silas Goff, the bases were loaded with those two and Brooks, who was hit by a pitch earlier.

Dooley drew a walk to score Brooks and knot the game at 1-1, which was followed by an RBI single by Cozbey to score Goff and put Lincoln up a run.

Ricke was hit two pitches later, allowing Brumble to score and give the Bulldogs a 3-1 edge.

Lincoln also added a run in the 5th, as Carter Hunter singled to score his brother Lane Hunter, who opened the inning with a leadoff single.

"Lane did a great job running the bases there and scored all the way from second. He has great speed and we were able to take advantage of getting him into scoring position," Harmon said.

Cade Ryan entered in relief for Hendren and was outstanding, as he got four outs to close it, allowing just one walk and striking out two hitters.

"He was clutch for us after he came in for Aiden," said Harmon. "He entered in a bases loaded, two outs situation in the 6th and got a groundout to end the inning. And then he finished the game with two strikeouts on full count breaking balls. He was big time."

Bramble and Brooks led the way for Lincoln with two hits apiece.



Photos by Lee Talley