The LeFlore County newsletter covers LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma. To receive our daily newsletter and help support us, subscribe for $5 per month or $50 per year or sign up as a free subscriber and receive all editions, just at a later time than paying subscribers. If you have questions or comments, CONTACT us.
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Daily Bible verse
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
Central National Bank would like to congratulate the Panama High School baseball team for making it to state. CNB team member Jamie Harris presented a check to Coach Chris Gollihare to provide dinner as they're away battling it out for the state championship. Good luck, Razorbacks!
Oklahoma market report
Today in history
1945
Allied nations worldwide celebrate V-E Day
Great Britain, the United States and several other countries celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazis during World War II... read more
HOWE--Cheryl Jean Hornback of Howe was born Aug. 17, 1955 in Heavener to Oral and Louise (Hampton) Hornback and passed away Monday, May 6, 2024 in Poteau at the Oaks Healthcare Center at the age of 68.
Funeral service is 2 p.m. Thursday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Joe Haydon Hall and Pastor Brandon Lopez officiating.
Burial will follow in the Howe Cemetery under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
Cheryl was raised in Howe and attended Heavener Elementary and Bost School in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Heavener. Cheryl moved to the Oaks Healthcare Center in Poteau Jan. 1, 2006. Our family appreciates the great care that Cheryl received by all the staff during her 18+ years there. Cheryl will be missed by all whom loved and knew her.
She is survived by two sisters Linda Hall and husband Joe Haydon of Howe, and Kellie Lopez and husband Mike of Van Buren, Arkansas;
One niece Christie Hillebrand and husband Brian;
Four nephews Russell Hall and wife Lori, Randall Hall and wife Paula, Brandon Lopez and wife Shauna, and Kendall Lopez and wife Andrea;
Five great-nephews;
Seven great-nieces;
Two great-great-nephews;
One great-great-niece;
She is preceded in death by her parents, Oral and Louise Hornback.
Pallbearers are her family.
Viewing is from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
POTEAU--Funeral service for Glenda Gail Midgley, 83, of Poteau is 2 p.m. Friday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau with Jim Cook officiating.
Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
She was born Jan. 31, 1941 in Poteau to Johnnie (Johnson) Dorey and Wilford "Buster" Dorey, Jr. and passed away May 6, 2024 in Heavener.
Survivors include her husband, JC Midgley, of 63 years; children Johnnie Clint Midgley and wife Melissa of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Teresa Holt and husband Stephen of Tulsa, Jenni Maggard and husband Joe Bill of Howe; four grandchildren Paige Anderson, Colt Midgley, Shea Holt and Lane Maggard; sister Letha Graves and husband Jimmie; and brother, Rickey Dorey and wife Vicki.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Honorary pallbearers are Johnnie Midgley, Stephen Holt, Joe Bill Maggard, Shea Holt, Colt Midgley and Lane Maggard.
Open visitation is Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
The LeFlore County newsletter covers LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma. To receive our daily newsletter and help support us, subscribe for $5 per month or $50 per year or sign up as a free subscriber and receive all editions, just at a later time than paying subscribers. If you have questions or comments, CONTACT us.
If you enjoy reading about LeFlore County news, sports, obits and more, please subscribe below and refer our newsletter to anybody you think might be interested.
Subscribe below
LCJ newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, become a free or paid subscriber.
Blast from the past
Bible verse of the day
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Commissioners’ minutes 5-6-2024
POTEAU--The Board of County Commissioners, LeFlore County, State of Oklahoma, met in a Regular Business Meeting Monday with Chairman Jamie Oliver presiding. Also present were Vice-Chair Vallard Campbell, Member Josh Blaylock, and County Clerk Kelli Ford.
The following action was taken by the board:
(1.) Chairman Jamie Oliver called meeting to order.
(2.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve the minutes of regular meeting held April 29, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(3.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve purchase orders as presented. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(4.) Bonds: None presented.
(5.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Monthly Fee Report as presented by the LeFlore County Clerk, Court Clerk, Health Department, Solid Waste Department and Election Board. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(6.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve transfers of appropriations as follows:
· Treasurer $2,640.00 from maintenance & operations to personal services.
· Assessor $800.00 from maintenance & operations to travel.
Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(7.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve blanket purchase orders as presented and are on file in the office of the County Clerk. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(11.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Proclamation setting the week of May 5, 2024 through May 11, 2024 as Oklahoma Home and Community Education Week. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(12.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve Resolution regarding change in Receiving Officer from Rebecca “Becky” Cripps to Donnie Brown for the benefit of LeFlore County Highway Department District 3. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(13.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve 6 Month Highway Materials Vendor Bid List. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(14.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve Resolution determining maximum monthly highway expenditures for the month of May, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(15.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to approve Treasurers Monthly Report of Officers for the month of April, 2024. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(16.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to divide Title I U.S. Forestry Funds as follows:
· Highway District # 1 28.63 percent to equal $118,674.26
· Highway District # 2 28.63 percent to equal $118,674.26
· Highway District # 3 42.74 percent to equal $177,161.67
Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(17.) After discussion with Rural Water District 17 representatives regarding a request for ARPA funding aid to assist with payment of their portion of a rural infrastructure grant, motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to table item and remove from Agenda for discussion at a later date to be determined. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(18.) After discussion with LeFlore County Youth Services representative Terri Krebs regarding a request for ARPA funding aid to assist with construction/repairs to the LeFlore County Teen Youth Center, motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Vallard Campbell to table item and remove from Agenda for discussion at a later date to be determined. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(19.) Motion was made Vallard Campbell and seconded by Jamie Oliver to approve disposing of equipment records as submitted by the LeFlore County Commissioners Highway Department District 1 as follows:
· D1-307.007 1976 Motor Grader No Purchase Price Given $0.00
· D1-307.059 1997 Motor Grader No Purchase Price Given $0.00
· D1-307.061 1997 Motor Grader No Purchase Price Given $0.00
· D1-307.090 2013 Motor Grader Original Purchase Price $116,126.25
· D1-307.091 2013 Motor Grader Original Purchase Price $116,126.26
Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(20.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve Renewal Lease Purchase Agreement, Lease Addendum, Certificate of Acceptance, Incumbency Certificate and Authorizing Resolution regarding a 2018 John Deere 770 G Motor Grader located at the Leflore County Highway Department District 1 Shop. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(21.) Motion was made by Jamie Oliver and seconded by Josh Blaylock to approve Resolution and Bid Notice advertising to accept sealed bids regarding the purchase of a 2024 4X4 pick-up truck to benefit the LeFlore County Post Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
(22.) Motion was made by Vallard Campbell and seconded by Josh Blaylock to table bid award regarding the construction of a storage facility to benefit the LeFlore County Sheriff’s Department pending further review of documents. Motion was approved, all voting yes.
Bracket released for 2A state
The bracket for the Oklahoma Class 2A state baseball tournament has been released by the OSSAA.
The tournament starts Thursday and will be held through Saturday with all games scheduled to be played at Shawnee High School.
Panama and Wister are the two LeFlore County teams in the field. Wister plays Preston at 1:30 p.m. while Panama and Dale play at 6:30 p.m.
Wister is 23-6 and ranked fourth in the class while Preston is 25-3 and ranked fifth. Panama is 26-5 and eighth. Dale is 26-4 and second.
Heavener FFA sporting clays team recognized
By Rep. RICK WEST
Last week I was privileged to recognize the Heavener FFA Sporting Clays Team on the House floor.
This team placed third in the state against roughly 200 schools from various divisions and about 800 other students. Team member Connor Maxwell received first place as the state high individual. Other team members are Kasen Krebbs, Devry Ritter, Jacob Vickers and alternate Claydin Boren. Also recognized were coaches Jeremy Krebbs and Chad Ritter. Several family members attended the presentation as well.
I was so proud to have this great group of young men come up to the Capitol to be presented with citations. These boys can really shoot, and it was a pleasure to get to celebrate them.
I'm thankful as well to the National Rifle Association for providing funding for the chapter's supplies through their grant program.
Also recently, a group from the District Attorney's office that represents LeFlore County visited during National Crime Victims' Rights Week. This group wants to ensure justice for victims and survivors of crimes that forever impact their lives and help them find a positive way to move forward. It was good to meet with them.
May 2 was the National Day of Prayer. There were several observances held at the Capitol. Darlene Scroggins of Poteau shared a sample proclamation with me asking me to release it to acknowledge this special day and declare a Day of Prayer for House District 3. I was honored to do it. The proclamation noted that since the founding of our nation, many Americans have turned to God for guidance and wisdom. Many former presidents have acknowledge the need for this observance. I hope everyone in our district marked this day, reflecting on the many blessings we've received as Americans and asking God's continued protection and wisdom as we go forward.
There are several bills still moving through the legislative process. Among those is Senate Bill 1705, which would prohibit foreign government adversaries designated as hostile or a Country of Particular Concern from owning land in Oklahoma. This is a cleanup of legislation passed last year that just clarifies what instruments are needed to purchase land legally in Oklahoma. We want to make sure those hostile to America are not hiding behind legal residents in purchasing land.
The governor last week signed into law House Bill 4156, which creates the crime of impermissible occupation for anyone in Oklahoma found to have entered the country illegally. This bill is a result of the Biden Administration's failure to secure our nation's southern border, allowing thousands of people to enter the country illegally every day. This has increased dangerous drugs and human trafficking in our state. This bill will help us protect Oklahomans.
As always, if I can help you with anything, feel free to call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
Mooning
By LEON YOUNGBLOOD
Nestled snuggly in the Ouachita wilderness off Holson Valley Road, Briar Circle is not the best place to witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets. In the morning, sunlight comes in rather slowly, at its ease, then suddenly it’s there all at once. There are no brilliant shades of red, orange or yellow to herald it, for they are hidden behind a curtain of mountains and pine trees, with no visible horizon to speak of. This performance is repeated in reverse in the west when the sun goes down behind Post Mountain, in another loafing sort of way, and suddenly, it’s dark.
BRIAR CIRCLE
The moonrise, though, is different. Being “off the grid” has disadvantages for persons who like to see what they’re up to at night, but when there is no intrusion of artificial light, the view of the evening canopy is magnificent. The moon comes up lightening the evening sky, then it peeps through the tree branches. Like the sun, it is not in a hurry. You do not mind this, for you want the presence to linger, and not leave quickly. Last week’s full moon event was as wonderful as any I have ever seen, and the moon found a dozen or so people of assorted ages gathered down by the cabin and Doris’ Pond with a campfire, hamburgers, brats, marshmallows and a telescope. I took notes. So, here are a few random “moon facts” I picked up from the vagrant astronomers:
I thought it was a long way to the top of Post Mountain, but that’s just peanuts compared to the distance to the moon. The average distance is 238,857 miles. “Average” is an important word, here, for the moon’s orbit is elliptical, not merely circular, so the distance is sometimes farther, sometimes closer. Its farthest point is called its Apogee; the closest, Perigee. I am satisfied with bath of these words. They have been in use for some time, now, and while unlikely to come up in casual conversation, they perfectly suit what they’re intended to describe.
The surface of the moon is 14,658,000 square miles, or 9.4 billion acres. I prefer to think of the surface area in terms of acres, for the family has 20 acres at Briar Circle, which gives me a comparison for an accurate perspective on the moon’s 9.4 billion. When Neil Armstrong and his partners planted the American flag there in 1969, they apparently claimed the whole moon for America. Other than to litter a little bit, they did nothing with the property and the neighborhood has not been developed. You can see the area where humans took their first steps with a telescope! This was pointed out to me by one of the knowledgeable astronomers, but the footprints were not visible, not even with the $250 telescope. There is no rush to see them, though, for they will be there awhile. There is no weather or “geophysical” activity on the moon. Any tracks left by humans will be there millions of years.
When a month has two full moons, the second is the “blue moon.”
The moon has a strong gravitational pull, which affects the oceans and gives us high tides and low tides. Some claim the human body, being 60 percent water, is also affected.
The “Man on the Moon” is no longer imaginative fiction, for there is, literally, a man on the moon! The cremated remains of Doctor Eugene Shoemaker, a NASA lunar prospector, were crashed into a crater in 1999 in observance of his last wishes. “That was where he wanted to be interred,” a colleague stated, and as long as they were sending a research craft there anyway, his wish was honored. The person sharing this information did not know how much it cost or how the good Doctor is liking it, but he did his part, and it was a small thing for NASA to do.
More was said, but space here doesn’t allow its inclusion. Eventually, it became my turn to offer an intelligent comment. All eyes were upon me. I looked at the beautiful brilliant orb and said, “Uh—it sure is bright, ain’t it!”
The general consensus was, I did the best I could do and did not disappoint anybody’s expectations.
The forecast
Partly cloudy Tuesday in LeFlore County with the potential for rain or thunderstorms all day and into the overnight hours.
The high is forecast to be 86 degrees with a low of 65.
Sunrise is 6:21 a.m. Sunset is 8:09 p.m.
Average temperatures for May 7 are a high of 79 and low of 52. Records for the date were a high of 87 in 1978. The record low was 39 in 1982.
Last year, on May 7, the high was 83 with a low of 67.
Monday’s high was 81 with a low of 73.
The calendar
Calendar of events for Heavener and LeFlore County.. If you are a non-profit, school or church, submit an event. This is a free service for non-profits and and churches so let us know if something is going on. CONTACT us.
6th annual LCYS golf tournament at Choctaw Country Club
Saturday
Cavanal killer
Mt. View Cemetery Association meeting 8:30
Mt. View Cemetery clean-up day 8:30 a.m.
Heavener Eighth grade graduation 2 p.m.
Heavener High School graduation 8 p.m.
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meets 9 a.m.
Local school board meetings
Today in history
1994
Edvard Munch's "The Scream" recovered after theft
On May 7, 1994, Norway's most famous painting, "The Scream" by Edvard Munch, is recovered almost three months after it was stolen from a museum in Oslo. The fragile painting was recovered undamaged at a hotel in Asgardstrand, about 40 miles south of Oslo, police said... read more
Betty Jean Vise of Howe was born Nov. 27, 1938 in Lone Pine to Percy Vardman and Lois Inez (Williams) Ray and passed away May 3, 2024 in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the age of 85.
Memorial service is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Heavener, with Brother Ken Breeding officiating. Burial of cremains will be later in Ellis Chapel in Wister. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.
She was a long-time resident of the area and a homemaker. Betty loved spending time with her family and friends, fishing, cooking, gardening and canning. She will be deeply missed.
She is survived by three sons Michael James Vise of Howe, Terry Lynn Vise and wife Linda of Spiro and Larry Gene Vise and wife Tomi of Monroe;
One sister, Pearl Blevins, of Heavener;
Two brothers Leonard Leon Ray of Howe, James Terry Ray and wife Connie of the Lovings community;
Four grandchildren Thomas Vise and wife Whitney of Wister, Miranda Sevenstar and husband Erik of Howe, Hunter Vise and Lilly of Post Mountain, and Krystal Dodd and husband Tony of Howe;
10 great-grandchildren Tristan, Brynlee, Rylee, Emberlee, and Jaxon Vise, Lucas and Savanna Sevenstar, Ruger, Peyton and Teagan Dodd;
And numerous nieces, nephews, other loved ones and host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Percy Vardman and Lois Inez Ray; Hebert James Vise, father of her three sons; two brothers Howard Wayne Ray and Alton Deemer Ray; two sisters Susie Ray and Maxine Cagle; and three brothers-in-law Ben Thompson, Jay Cagle and Bill Blevins.
The LeFlore County newsletter covers LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma. To receive our daily newsletter and help support us, subscribe for $5 per month or $50 per year or sign up as a free subscriber and receive all editions, just at a later time than paying subscribers. If you have questions or comments, CONTACT us.
If you enjoy reading about LeFlore County news, sports, obits and more, please subscribe below and refer our newsletter to anybody you think might be interested.
Subscribe below
LCJ newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, become a free or paid subscriber.
Daily Bible verse
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11 NIV
Blast from the past
Agenda for county commissioners’ meeting
POTEAU—The LeFlore County commissioners will meet in a regular business meeting 9 a.m. Monday in the office of the board of county commissioners.
AGENDA:
* CALL TO ORDER.
* MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S).
3. * PURCHASE ORDERS/PAYROLL (SEE ATTACHED LIST TO BE PRESENTED FOR PAYMENT).
11. REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPROVE PROCLAMATION SETTING THE WEEK OF MAY 5, 2024 THROUGH MAY 11, 2024 AS OKLAHOMA HOME AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION WEEK.
12. CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE RESOLUTION REGARDING CHANGE IN RECEIVING OFFICER FROM REBECCA “BECKY” CRIPPS TO DONNIE BROWN FOR THE BENEFIT OF LEFLORE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT DISTRICT 3.
13. REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPROVE 6 MONTH HIGHWAY MATERIAL VENDOR BID LIST.
14. REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPROVE RESOLUTION DETERMINING MAXIMUM MONTHLY HIGHWAY EXPENDITURES FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 2024.
15. CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE TREASURER’S MONTHLY REPORT OF OFFICERS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2024.
16. DISCUSSION WITH POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DIVISION OF TITLE 1 U.S. FORESTRY FUNDS.
17. MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM RURAL WATER DISTRICT 17 REGARDING REQUEST FOR ARPA FUNDING AID DUE TO UNEXPECTED/UNFORESEEN COST WITH RIG PARTS.
18. MEET WITH LEFLORE COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE TERRI KREBS FOR DISCUSSION REGARDING ARPA FUNDING AID FOR TEEN YOUTH CENTER.
19. REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPROVE DISPOSING OF EQUIPMENT RECORDS AS SUBMITTED BY THE LEFLORE COUNTY COMMISSIONER HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT DISTRICT 1.
20. REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPROVE RENEWAL LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, LEASE ADDENDUM, CERTIFICATE ACCEPTANCE, INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE AND AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION REGARDING A 2018 JOHN DEERE 770 G MOTOR GRADER LOCATED AT THE LEFLORE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT DISTRICT 1 SHOP.
21. CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE RESOLUTION AND BID NOTICE ADVERTISING TO ACCEPT SEALED BIDS REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF A 2024 4X4 PICK-UP TRUCK TO BENEFIT THE LEFLORE COUNTY POST MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
22. OPEN AND POSSIBLY AWARD BID REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STORAGE BUILDING TO BENEFIT THE LEFLORE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
23. ADJOURN.
Agendas for Poteau city meetings
POTEAU—The Poteau Industrial Authority, Poteau Public Works Authority and Poteau City Council will meet in regular scheduled business meetings 6 p.m. Monday at Poteau City Hall at 111 Peters Street in Poteau.
NORMAN– Oklahoma plated six runs in the sixth inning as the No. 4 Oklahoma State softball team dropped the series finale, 8-2, Sunday at Love’s Field.
The loss drops the Cowgirls to 44-9 overall (21-6 in the Big 12). The win improves Sooners to 45-6 overall (22-5 in the Big 12).
Kasidi Pickering hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to put the Sooners up 2-0.
The Cowgirls knotted the game up at 2-2 after a two-run single from Micaela Wark.
In the sixth, OU added six runs on RBI singles from Jayda Coleman and Hannah Coor, a three-run home run form Ella Parker and a solo shot from Tiare Jennings to make it an 8-2 game.
Offensively, OSU was led by Wark (1-for-3 with two RBIs) and McDonald (2-for-3).
Kyra Aycock dropped to 7-3 for the Cowgirls. Karlie Keeney improved to 5-1 for the Sooners.
Next up, the Cowgirls will head to Oklahoma City for the Big 12 Tournament from May 8-11 at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.
Sooners complete fifth Big 12 sweep
LUBBOCK, Texas — No. 22 Oklahoma completed the three-game conference sweep of Texas Tech in Lubbock with a 8-7 win Sunday.
The Sooners (29-17, 18-6) improve its program record for Big 12 sweeps in a season to five on the year and sit in first place in the conference standings by three games heading into the final two weekends of Big 12 play.
OU’s 18 wins in conference play are the most since 2004 (19) and the Sooner sweep in Lubbock marks the first time Texas Tech has been swept on their home field since 2011. Additionally, it was OU’s first sweep over Tech since 2011 and first in Lubbock since 2006.
Sunday’s Game 3 proved to be the most competitive contest of the series, with runs in seven of the nine innings, but OU never relinquished a lead. The Sooners never trailed in all three games of the series. Sunday the OU bats continued to stay hot with 12 hits, including three home runs.
As was the case all weekend, OU started fast with two runs at the top of the first. After a Tech error allowed senior Bryce Madron to reach, fellow senior Michael Snyder made them pay with his ninth homer of the season on a two-run blast to left.
Tech (30-20, 12-15) pushed one across in the home half of the first inning via an RBI groundout after a leadoff triple.
OU starting RHP Carson Atwood hurled the first 3.1 innings, allowing just one run on two hits and four walks.
The Sooners put up crooked numbers at the top of the third and fourth, scoring a pair in each inning. In the third, after a leadoff single from freshman Jason Walk, senior John Spikerman launched his second home run of the year, and first since Feb. 24, on a deep fly to right.
At the top of the fourth, an RBI single from Madron and sacrifice fly from sophomore Easton Carmichael pushed the OU lead to 6-1.
Tech answered in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three on two hits and a pair of OU errors on one play. Following a bases-loaded walk, the Red Raiders capitalized on a wild pitch and pair of fielding miscues that allowed two to cross home. OU junior RHP Brendan Girton limited the damage, stranding one with a line out.
The Sooners took the momentum back in the next half inning, courtesy of Carmichael. After a leadoff single from Spikerman, the sophomore designated hitter Carmichael hit a two-run homer to left field to extend OU’s lead to four at 8-4.
Tech battled to the finish, scoring one on a sac-fly in the seventh and two in the bottom of the ninth via home run and run-scoring groundout. Sophomore RHP Malachi Witherspoon entered with one out and the tying run on third base and retired the side with one strikeout to get the save and give the Sooners the win.
At the plate, Spikerman, Snyder and Willits all recorded three-hit games to lead OU. Carmichael brought in a trio, while Spikerman and Snyder batted in two each.
On the mound, OU utilized seven pitchers in the finale with reliever Carter Campbell (W, 3-0) earning his third win of the season, striking out a pair in 1.1 innings of work.
The Big 12-leading Sooners return to action next weekend in Norman for the home regular season finale vs. Baylor (20-26, 9-15). The three-game series begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT at L. Dale Mitchell Park with Sunday’s finale serving as Senior Day.
Razorbacks drop road series at Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Kentucky– No. 2 Arkansas (40-9, 17-7 SEC) dropped the rubber game against No. 8 Kentucky (35-10, 18-6 SEC), 7-4, Sunday afternoon at Kentucky Proud Park to suffer only its second weekend series loss of the season.
With Sunday’s setback, the Razorbacks lost a series to the Wildcats for the first time since 2012 and took a road series defeat in Lexington for the first time since 2011. Despite the series loss, Arkansas retains its lead atop the SEC Western Division standings going into next weekend’s home series against divisional foe and nationally ranked Mississippi State.
After missing his previous start due to an injury, Mason Molina made his return to the mound and fired three innings of three-run ball with three walks and three strikeouts. The junior left-hander departed after throwing 40 of 67 pitches for strikes and turned the ball over to right-hander Will McEntire, who was pitching for the second time in the series.
Kentucky tagged McEntire, who recorded only two outs in the fourth, for three runs to open a 6-0 lead entering the fifth. Arkansas, which did not record a hit over the first four innings, responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth after Hudson White, who finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk, tallied the Razorbacks’ first base knock of the game.
Wehiwa Aloy’s one-out single scored White from second base before Jared Sprague-Lott’s one-out sacrifice fly brought home Peyton Stovall, who logged his fourth consecutive multi-hit game, from third to cut the Hogs’ deficit to four.
Stovall came around to score again in the seventh on Kendall Diggs’ two-out RBI single, helping Arkansas close the gap to three. The Razorback second baseman would hit a leadoff solo shot in the top of the ninth to finish the afternoon 3-for-5, including a double and homer, with three runs scored and raise his season slash line to a team-leading .362/.426/.586.
Stovall, who missed the first 12 contests of the season due to a broken foot, leads the Razorbacks in hits (55) and is second on the team in doubles (10), home runs (8) and runs batted in (35) through his 37 games in action.
Right-handers Christian Foutch (1.1 IP, 1 SO) and Gabe Gaeckle (3.0 IP, 0 ER) were strong in relief, combining to work Sunday’s final 4.1 innings. Gaeckle’s lone blemish was an unearned run, which Kentucky scored on an error in the bottom of the eighth, as the true freshman lowered his season ERA to 2.27 in 31.2 innings over 17 relief appearances.
Up next, Arkansas returns inside the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium to host Mississippi State in the final weekend home series of the season. First pitch between the Hogs and Bulldogs is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 10.
The forecast
Cloudy skies early with a slight chance of showers before the clouds clear at times later in the day with scattered thunderstorms overnight, with the chance of some storms being severe Monday in LeFlore County.
The high is forecast to be 83 degrees with a low of 70.
Sunrise is 6:22 a.m. Sunset is 8:08 p.m.
Average temperatures for May 6 are a high of 79 and low of 52. Records for the date were a high of 90 in 1977. The record low was 38 in 1974.
Last year, on May 6, the high was 91 with a low of 65.
Sunday’s high was 69 with a low of 60. A total of .40 inches of rain was recorded, bringing the monthly total to 3.45 inches. Average rainfall for May is 6.20 inches.
The calendar
Calendar of events for Heavener and LeFlore County.. If you are a non-profit, school or church, submit an event. This is a free service for non-profits and and churches so let us know if something is going on. CONTACT us.
Monday
State golf tournaments
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Revival at Heavener First Baptist Church
Poteau City meetings 5:30
Tuesday
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Revival at Heavener First Baptist Church
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon at EOMA
Thursday
High school baseball: TBA
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon
Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North
Heavener sports banquet
Friday
6th annual LCYS golf tournament at Choctaw Country Club
Saturday
Cavanal killer
Mt. View Cemetery Association meeting 8:30
Mt. View Cemetery clean-up day 8:30 a.m.
Heavener Eighth grade graduation 2 p.m.
Heavener High School graduation 8 p.m.
Today in history
1994
English Channel tunnel opens
In a ceremony presided over by England's Queen Elizabeth II and French President François Mitterrand, a rail tunnel under the English Channel was officially opened, connecting Britain and the European mainland for the first time since the Ice Age. The Channel Tunnel, or "Chunnel," connects... read more
The LeFlore County newsletter covers LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma. To receive our daily newsletter and help support us, subscribe for $5 per month or $50 per year or sign up as a free subscriber and receive all editions, just at a later time than paying subscribers. If you have questions or comments, CONTACT us.
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Bible verse of the day
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Panama pounds Dibble for state trip
PANAMA—Panama’s celebration was delayed one day.
One day after Dibble defeated the Razorbacks, 12-10, Friday to deny Panama the Class 2A regional championship and clinching a trip to the state tournament, the Hogs bounced back in a big way Saturday. Panama dominated Dibble, 12-2, Saturday to join Wister as LeFlore County teams headed to the Class 2A state tournament this week.
The OSSAA will release the brackets either Sunday or Monday for the state tournament.
Panama took control early, scoring four runs in the first inning and three more in the second to remove any suspension. The Razorbacks scored at least one run in every inning, capped by an additional three runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game by run-rule.
Caleb Brewer was Panama’s winning pitcher. He went 3.1 innings, allowing one hit and two runs, both earned, with two strikeouts and six walks. Brayden Wiles pitched the final 1.2 inning, giving up one hit with a walk.
Aryn Seamans was 3-3 with three RBI, Brewer homered and had a 2-3 outing with three RBI and two runs, Brex Caldwell homered for the third straight day and was 1-1 with one RBI and four runs with three intentional walks, Talan Fairless doubled and went 1-3 with two RBI.
The eighth-ranked Razorbacks head into the state tournament, 26-5. Dibble finishes 20-9 and ranked ninth.
Panama 12, Dibble 2
DHS 0 0 0 2 0—2 2 1
PHS 4 3 1 1 3—12 10 2
Cowgirls tops No. 2 Oklahoma, 6-2
NORMAN– A five-run sixth inning propelled the No. 4 Oklahoma State softball team to a 6-2 victory over No. 2 Oklahoma Saturday at Love’s Field.
The win improves Cowgirls to 44-8 overall (21-5 in the Big 12). The loss drops the Sooners to 45-6 overall (21-5 in the Big 12).
Kasidi Pickering opened the scoring for the Sooners in the fourth inning with an RBI single.
In the fifth, Caroline Wang’s team-leading 17th home run of the year tied the game 1-1.
OU re-claimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a walked-in run.
Claire Timm took Nicole May’s first pitch of the sixth inning and deposited it well over the right field fence to even the score and Micaela Wark made it back-to-back home runs to give the Cowgirls the lead with a shot to left three pitches later.
Wark’s blast led to OU coach Patty Gasso to remove May from the game and replace her with Kelly Maxwell, who immediately hit Lexi McDonald with a pitch then committed a throwing error to move McDonald to third and Megan Bloodworth to second. Jilyen Poullard then ripped an opposite-field home run to left off Maxwell to blow the game open at 6-2.
Offensively, OSU was led by Poullard (1-for-4 with three RBIs), Wang (2-for-4 with an RBI) and Wark (1-for-3 with an RBI).
In the circle, Lexi Kilfoyl improved to 21-3 for the Cowgirls, going three innings in relief. Nicole May dropped to 12-2 for the Sooners.
Oklahoma State will look to complete the sweep tomorrow at 3 p.m.
OU takes series at Tech
LUBBOCK, Texas — No. 22 Oklahoma took the series over Texas Tech with a 7-5 win Saturday afternoon in Lubbock.
With the win, Oklahoma (28-17, 17-6) clinched its fifth conference series of the season and second straight series victory in Lubbock over Tech (30-19, 12-14).
OU collected its 17th win in Big 12 play Saturday, matching the most wins in conference play since 2009.
A complete team win powered OU to the series W, with the offense putting up seven runs on 11 hits, including two home runs. The pitching staff of starter Kyson Witherspoon and relievers Carter Campbell, Dylan Crooks and Malachi Witherspoon allowed a powerful Tech offense just five runs on seven hits, with all five runs coming in the final four innings.
OU jumped out to another early lead, scoring a pair at the top of the first. After a double from senior Bryce Madron, sophomore Easton Carmichael brought him in on an RBI single down the left line. Two batters later, senior Anthony Mackenzie singled in Carmichael for a two-run lead before the Red Raiders stepped to the plate.
OU starting RHP Kyson Witherspoon settled in and worked five scoreless innings to start, a day after junior Braden Davis and senior Will Carsten combined to shut out the Red Raiders for OU’s fourth shutout of the season.
The Sooners provided plenty of insurance at the top of the fifth, scoring four runs on four hits. A leadoff home run from Madron, his team-leading 10th of the season, started the offensive explosion. After a Carmichael single, stolen base and HBP drawn by senior Michael Snyder, Mackenzie ripped his sixth home run of the season out to right on a three-run shot.
Tech scored its first run of the series in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run after the Sooner arms had held the Red Raiders scoreless for 14 innings.
Witherspoon exited in the seventh with a final line of: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 5 BB and 7 K. It was the righty’s fifth appearance on the year with seven-plus strikeouts.
Relievers Carter Campbell and Dylan Crooks combined to finish the seventh, allowing the Red Raiders to push a pair across on a two-run single. Crooks induced a groundout to get out of the jam, stranding a pair.
The Sooners got one back at the top of the eighth again off the bat of Madron. After a HBP drawn by fellow senior Kendall Pettis and walk to junior John Spikerman, Madron dropped an RBI single into right field to score Pettis. A play at the plate ended the OU threat with runners on the corners, as Spikerman was ruled out at the plate after review on a double-steal attempt.
Tech pulled within two in the bottom of the ninth on a two-run home run, but sophomore closer Malachi Witherspoon shook back with a strikeout looking to secure the OU win and series victory.
Madron led OU at the plate with his seventh game of the season with three hits, going 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs and two stolen bases. Mackenzie brought in four runs in a 2-for-5, one home run showing. Seven Sooners recorded a base hit in the game.
OU, already having secured a spot in the Big 12 Championship in Arlington, is now in first place by two games in the conference standings heading into Sunday.
The teams meet for the series finale at 2 p.m. CT Sunday. The game can be seen via Big 12 NOW on ESPN+. All games can be heard locally in Oklahoma on SportsTalk 1400 AM/99.3 FM or nationwide on The Varsity app with OU’s Toby Rowland on the call.
For updates and more information on Oklahoma baseball, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Baseball) and like Oklahoma Baseball on Facebook.
Cowboys come up short at Texas
AUSTIN, Texas – Oklahoma State dropped its series with Texas Saturday as the 14th-ranked Cowboys suffered a 6-3 setback at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
With the loss, OSU fell to 31-16 overall and 14-9 in Big 12 play, while the Longhorns improved to 30-18 and 15-8 in the league.
Carson Benge had two of OSU’s five hits in the contest, while Zach Ehrhard, Nolan Schubart and Lane Forsythe picked up RBIs for the Pokes.
Gabe Davis took the loss for OSU out of the bullpen to fall to 1-3 on the season as he gave up a two-run home run to Max Belyeu in the eighth inning that proved to be the difference.
OSU starter Brian Holiday worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs, two of those earned, on just three hits and striking out six.
UT took an early lead in its first at bat as an error and a walk led to a two-RBI double from Belyeu to put the Horns up 2-0 after one inning.
After the opening inning, Holiday settled in and became locked in a pitcher’s duel with UT’s Ace Whitehead as both pitchers posted zeroes from the second through fourth innings.
In the fifth, OSU would finally get on the board. Back-to-back walks to Forsythe and Tyler Wulfert led off the inning, and a single by Benge with one out loaded the bases. The Cowboys then plated a run when Ehrhard was hit by a pitch to make the score 2-1.
The Cowboys tied the score in the seventh. Benge got things started with a single, and two batters later, Schubart smashed an RBI double off the top of the wall in right-center field to make the score 2-2.
UT answered to go back on top in the bottom of the frame. After retiring 13 batters in a row, Holiday issued a leadoff walk in the seventh, which was followed by a single to put Horns on the corners. Up next, Holiday would get Rylan Galvan to ground into a double play, which brought home the go-ahead run.
This time it was the Cowboys answering. Colin Brueggemann led off the eighth with a double to left field, and a balk moved pinch runner Addison Smith to third. Two batters later, Smith raced home with the tying run on a slow ground ball off the bat of Forsythe to make the score 3-3.
In the bottom of the eighth, Davis retired the first two UT batters before Peyton Powell singled to bring up Belyeu, who delivered his 17th homer of the season to right-center field.
The two teams conclude the series Sunday at 1 p.m.
Arkansas loses Game 2 at Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Kentucky– Despite Hudson White’s two-run homer and Gage Wood’s six strikeouts, No. 2 Arkansas (40-8, 17-6 SEC) lost to No. 8 Kentucky (34-10, 17-6), 11-3, Saturday afternoon in the game two of the series at Kentucky Proud Park.
The Razorbacks and Wildcats will now square off in a rubber game tomorrow afternoon in Lexington. First pitch in the series finale between second-ranked Arkansas and eighth-ranked Kentucky is noon CT Sunday, May 5, on SEC Network+.
White’s two-run blast in the top of the second inning put Arkansas ahead early. The Razorback catcher, who finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a walk, connected on his second home run of the season, and his first home run since Opening Day against James Madison on Feb. 16.
Staked with an early 2-0 lead, starter Brady Tygart, who had turned in quality starts in each of his previous two outings, lasted only three innings, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks before departing the ballgame. In relief of Tygart, right-handers Gage Wood (4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 SO) and Koty Frank (0.2 IP, 3 ER, 1 SO) worked Saturday’s final five innings.
Wood’s strong relief outing saw him toss a career-long 4.1 innings and match his career high in strikeouts (6). For the season, the sophomore owns a 2.81 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 25.2 innings over 17 appearances, including one start.
Peyton Stovall continued his tear at the plate, logging his third consecutive multi-hit game. The Razorback second baseman went 2-for-5 with an RBI on the afternoon to raise his season slash line to a team-leading .354/.421/.558.
The Hogs will go for their seventh consecutive series win against the Wildcats in tomorrow’s rubber game. Arkansas, which has not lost a series in Lexington since 2011, is seeking its fourth consecutive road series win against Kentucky.
Junior left-hander Mason Molina will start on the mound for the Razorbacks in game three at Kentucky Proud Park. With a win tomorrow to clinch the series, Arkansas can secure its best 24-game SEC start (18-6) in program history. The Hogs’ best 24-game SEC start in school history is 17-7, which they have achieved four times – 1999, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Calendar of events for Heavener and LeFlore County.. If you are a non-profit, school or church, submit an event. This is a free service for non-profits and and churches so let us know if something is going on. CONTACT us.
Sunday
Revival at Heavener’s First Baptist Church
Monday
State golf tournaments
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Revival at Heavener First Baptist Church
Poteau City meetings 5:30
Tuesday
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Revival at Heavener First Baptist Church
Wednesday
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon at EOMA
Thursday
High school baseball: TBA
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon
Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North
Heavener sports banquet
Friday
6th annual LCYS golf tournament at Choctaw Country Club
Saturday
Cavanal killer
Mt. View Cemetery Association meeting 8:30
Mt. View Cemetery clean-up day 8:30 a.m.
Heavener Eighth grade graduation 2 p.m.
Heavener High School graduation 8 p.m.
Today in history
1961
Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space
On May 5, 1961, Navy Commander Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. is launched into space aboard the Freedom 7 space capsule, becoming the first American astronaut to travel into space. The suborbital flight, which lasted 15 minutes and reached a height of 116 miles into the atmosphere, was a major triumph... read more
The LeFlore County newsletter covers LeFlore County and southeastern Oklahoma. To receive our daily newsletter and help support us, subscribe for $5 per month or $50 per year or sign up as a free subscriber and receive all editions, just at a later time than paying subscribers. If you have questions or comments, CONTACT us.
If you enjoy reading about LeFlore County news, sports, obits and more, please subscribe below and refer our newsletter to anybody you think might be interested.
Subscribe below
LCJ newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Bible verse of the day
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Psalms 139:11-12 NIV
Blast from the past
Heavener, Poteau eliminated in quarterfinals
Both LeFlore County soccer teams were eliminated in the Class 3A quarterfinals Friday night.
Heavener lost at Casady, 5-0, while Poteau was defeated at home by Community Christian, 2-0,
The Wolves end their season, 11-4. Casady, probably the best team in Class 3A, improves to 13-1 with its only loss coming to Class 4A Heritage Hall.
Poteau finishes with a 10-6 record. Community Christian advances with a 12-4 record.
Heavener track team medals at state
CATOOSA—Heavener’s track team medaled in several events Friday on the first day of the Class 3A state track meet.
Steven Cruz broke the school record in the 3200 run and finished fifth with a time of 10:12.04. The winning time was 9:47-76.
The 4x800 relay team of Steven Cruz, Isaac Cook, Parker Brand and Seth Lynch finished fourth with a time of 8:27.21 as Sequoyah Tahlequah won the event with a time of 8:13.81.
Jeremi Casteel was third in the discus with a throw of 156-0, barely behind the winning throw of 159-4.
Wister punches state ticket
WISTER—Wister used three pitchers to combine on a one-hitter and the Wildcats finished strong with a 19-0 win over Walters in the championship game of the Class 2A regional here Friday.
The Wildcats, now 23-6 and ranked fourth, will play in the state tournament this week at a date, time and location determined by the OSSAA.
Jayden Byars went the first innings for Wister, allowing the one hit and no runs with five strikeouts and a walk. He was relieved by Dartyn Meeks, who pitched two innings without allowing a hit or run while striking out six and walking two. Kord Fenton pitched the final frame, also not allowing a hit or run while striking out two.
Walters, which finished 27-8, had stayed alive earlier with an 8-4 victory over Wilburton.
Wister punched out 22 hits and put the game away, scoring 10 runs in the top of the seventh.
Ty Slone led Wister by going 4-4 with a double and three RBI and a run, Torben Vocque doubled and was 3-6 with two RBI and two runs, Riley Crane was 3-5 with three runs and a RBI, Landon Donaho had a 3-4 outing with four RBI and three runs, Will Bryan doubled and was 2-6 with two runs and a RBI, Tucker Wooten went 2-5 with three runs, Byars had a 2-6 outing with three RBI and two runs, Meeks finished 2-4 with two runs and a RBI and Fenton doubled while going 1-4 with a RBI and a run.
Wister 19, Walters 0
WIS 2 0 3 2 1 1 10—19 22 0
WAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0—0 1 4
Dibble downs Panama, 12-10
PANAMA—Dibble forced the “if” game of the Class 2A regional with a 12-10 win over Panama to give the Razorbacks their first loss in the tournament.
The two teams play again Saturday to advance to the 2A state tournament this week. Panama is 25-8 and ranked eighth. Dibble improves to 25-9 and is ranked ninth. Dibble won an earlier game Saturday, 10-4, over Tonkawa.
Trailing 4-3, Dibble scored six runs in the top of the fourth inning to take the lead for good. Panama did score four runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the Razorbacks’ rally was snuffed out.
Aryn Seamans threw the first five innings, giving up nine hits and nine runs, four earned, while striking out seven and walking five. Jaxon Harris pitched the final two innings, allowing three hits and three runs, all earned, with a strikeout and a walk.
Caleb Brewer led the Hogs at the plate, going 3-4 with four RBI and a run, T. Simpkins was 2-4 with a RBI, Shawn Hogan had a 2-3 outing with a RBI and a run, Brex Caldwell homered for the second straight game and was 1-1 with two RBI and four runs as he was walked four times and Dylan Restine doubled and finished 1-2 with a RBI.
Dibble 12, Panama 10
DHS 1 0 2 6 0 0 3—12 12 1
PHS 2 0 2 0 2 0 4—10 10 2
Cowgirls top Sooners in opener
NORMAN – Three home runs propelled the No. 4 Oklahoma State softball team to a 6-3 victory over No. 2 Oklahoma Friday at Love’s Field.
The win improves Cowgirls to 43-8 overall (20-5 in the Big 12). The loss drops the Sooners to 45-5 overall (21-4 in the Big 12).
The win is Oklahoma State’s first victory in Norman since 1997, as well as the Cowgirls fifth victory over a top-10 opponent this season.
Oklahoma jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the first two innings on an infield single from Kasidi Pickering and a walked-in run.
Oklahoma State grabbed three runs over the next two frames on a two-run double from Karli Godwin and a solo home run from Micaela Wark.
In the fifth, the Cowgirls added three more runs on a solo shot from Jilyen Poullard and a two-run blast from Godwin.
The Sooners got a run back in the sixth inning on a Cowgirl error to make it a 6-3 game.
Offensively, OSU was led by Godwin (3-for-4 with four RBIs), Wark (2-for-3 with an RBI) and Poullard (1-for-3 with an RBI).
In the circle, Lexi Kilfoyl improved to 20-3 for the Cowgirls, going four innings in relief. Kelly Maxwell took the loss for the Sooners, dropping to 16-2.
Game two is set for tomorrow at noon.
Sooners blank Texas Tech
LUBBOCK, Texas — No. 22 Oklahoma started its three-game road series at Texas Tech with a 8-0 win in Lubbock.
OU starting left-handed pitcher Braden Davis was lights out in the series opener, throwing seven scoreless innings, surrendering just two hits with two walks to go with eight strikeouts.
Senior Will Carsten entered in relief and completed OU’s fourth shutout of the season, hurling two scoreless in the eighth and ninth with one strikeout.
The shutout marked the Sooners’ (27-17, 16-6) fourth of the season, the most since throwing five in 2019. Additionally, it was the first time Tech has been shut out in 2024 and the first time OU has blanked the Red Raiders since 2013.
On a windy night in Lubbock, the OU offense manufactured runs without the long ball, still registering three extra-base hits and 12 hits overall.
After a scoreless first, the Sooners jumped on top 2-0 at the top of the second, courtesy of junior catcher Scott Mudler. With two on and two outs, Mudler dropped a two-run double into right center.
Davis continued to pitch a gem, working two more scoreless innings in the third and fourth before the Sooner offense gave him more run support at the top of the fifth.
The Sooners pushed across four runs on three hits and three Red Raider errors in the fifth. The flurry started with Mudler’s second double of the night. After the two-bag knock, freshman Jaxon Willits reached on an error before junior John Spikerman chopped a ball into shallow right field to score one. The next at-bat, senior Bryce Madron reached on an error as Willits and Spikerman raced home. Two batters later, an RBI single from senior Michael Snyder made it 6-0, Sooners.
Spikerman added to the lead again in the sixth with an RBI single to left field after senior Kendall Pettis drew a walk and stole second. An inning later, Nicklaus ripped a run-scoring triple to right center to score junior Anthony Mackenzie who got on via walk.
Davis (W, 6-3) put the Red Raiders (30-18, 12-13) down in order in the bottom of the seventh before exiting with a final line of: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K.
It marked Davis’ fourth straight Friday night victory, moving him to 5-1 in Big 12 play.
At the plate, Spikerman and Nicklaus paced OU with 3-for-4 and 3-for-5 nights, respectively, with Spikerman and Mudler bringing in a pair.
The teams meet for Game 2 at 1 p.m. CT Saturday, a time change from the originally-scheduled 2 p.m. start due to forecasted weather in the Lubbock area.
The series can be seen via Big 12 NOW on ESPN+. All games can be heard locally in Oklahoma on SportsTalk 1400 AM/99.3 FM or nationwide on The Varsity app with OU’s Toby Rowland on the call.
For updates and more information on Oklahoma baseball, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Baseball) and like Oklahoma Baseball on Facebook.
OSU drops opener at Texas
AUSTIN, Texas – Oklahoma State had its six-game win streak snapped Friday night as the 14th-ranked Cowboys dropped a 7-5 contest to Texas at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
With the loss, OSU fell to 31-15 overall and 14-8 in the Big 12, while the Longhorns moved to 29-18 and 14-8 in the league.
Zach Ehrhard, Carson Benge and Aidan Meola had two hits apiece for the Pokes, while Nolan Schubart both homered.
Tommy Molsky took the loss on the mound to fall to 6-2 as he allowed two runs on two hits while striking out three in relief of starter Sam Garcia.
Garcia worked five innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and striking out three.
OSU took the game’s initial lead in the second. Meola led off the frame with an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Colin Brueggemann brought him home with an RBI double to right field.
But the Longhorns answered in the bottom of the inning, putting two runners on with one out on a single and a walk before Rylan Galvan singled to tie the score at 1-1.
The Pokes, who entered the game with 25 homers in their last five games, continued their long ball tear to regain the lead in the third. Schubart smashed his team-leading 15th bomb, a two-run shot to straightaway center field, to make the score 3-1, and Meola followed with his seventh blast of the year to extend the advantage to three.
Once again, the Horns rallied to tie the score in the bottom of the frame as they plated three runs on four hits, including a two-out, two-RBI double by Kimble Schuessler.
The score remained deadlocked at 4-4 until the seventh. Lane Forsythe led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by pinch hitter Donovan LaSalle. Up next, Ehrhard singled to put Cowboys on the corners with one out. That brought Benge to the plate, and he ripped an RBI double down the right field line to put OSU back on top.
The back-and-forth affair continued as UT once again answered, scoring twice in the bottom of the frame to take a 6-5 lead. After loading the bases with one out on a hit and two walks, the tying run came home on a hit by pitch. Up next, Schuessler delivered a sacrifice fly as Peyton Powell slid safely into the plate just ahead of the tag on Benge’s throw from right field.
UT added an insurance run in the eighth on a solo home run by Will Gasparino.
In the ninth, the Cowboys brought the tying run to the plate twice with one out after an Ehrhard walk and a Benge single, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the game.
The two teams return to action Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Hogs hammer Kentucky in opener
LEXINGTON, Kentucky. – Hagen Smith tallied 14 strikeouts, and Kendall Diggs drove in a team-leading four RBI as No. 2 Arkansas (40-7, 17-5 SEC) blasted No. 8 Kentucky (33-10, 16-6 SEC), 10-3, Friday night at Kentucky Proud Park.
With the series-opening win, the Razorbacks, now 17-5 through 22 games of league play, gained the outright SEC lead. Western Division leader Arkansas, which clinched its seventh consecutive 40-win season (excluding the shortened 2020 campaign), and Eastern Division leader Kentucky entered Friday night’s game tied atop the conference standings.
The Hogs will go for their seventh consecutive series win against the Wildcats in tomorrow’s rematch, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT Saturday, May 4, on SEC Network+. Arkansas, which has not lost a weekend series in Lexington since the 2011 season, is also seeking its fourth consecutive road series win against Kentucky.
Smith, who retired the first eight Wildcat batters he faced Friday night, was once again magnificent on the mound. The junior left-hander allowed just one run on three hits and two walks while striking out 14, as he recorded his team-leading 10th quality start and his ninth double-digit strikeout game, a single-season program record, of the year.
The Razorback ace, who earned the win to improve to a perfect 9-0, now boasts a jaw-dropping 1.36 ERA in 66.0 innings of work over 12 starts this season. Smith has allowed only 11 runs (10 earned) all year while striking out 125 opposing batters, which is tied for sixth most in a single season by an Arkansas pitcher.
After Kentucky opened the scoring in the bottom of the third, Arkansas would tie the ballgame in the fifth before posting a three-spot in the sixth and then breaking out for six runs in the seventh. Peyton Stovall, who finished 2-for-5 with a two-bagger and two RBI, ripped a game-tying ground-rule double to left in the fifth, evening the score at 1-1.
Diggs’ one-out double in the sixth brought home two runs as Arkansas jumped out to a 3-1 advantage, its first lead of the game. Pinch-hitter Ross Lovich delivered a two-out RBI double later in the frame to extend the Hogs’ lead to three.
Ahead 4-1, the Razorbacks never looked back. Arkansas went on to score all six of its runs in the seventh with two outs and open a commanding 10-1 lead, the team’s most runs in an SEC game this season. Diggs delivered another massive blow in the six-run inning, scoring a pair on his single to center to start the game-changing rally.
Diggs, who was one of three Razorbacks along with Stovall and Hudson White to log a multi-hit game, finished the night 2-for-4 with a double and four RBI. White, meanwhile, went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in the series-opening win.
In relief of Smith, right-handers Will McEntire (2.0 IP, 3 SO) and Dylan Carter (1.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 SO) worked the final three innings. McEntire struck out three in two scoreless frames to lower his season ERA to 3.33 in 46.0 innings over 22 games.
Junior right-hander Brady Tygart will start on the mound for the Razorbacks tomorrow at Kentucky Proud Park. With a series win or sweepthis weekend, Arkansas can clinch its best 24-game SEC start in program history. The Hogs’ best 24-game SEC start in school history is 17-7, which they have achieved four times – 1999, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
The forecast
Cloudy skies with the chance of an occasional shower for Saturday in LeFlore County.
The high is forecast to be 82 degrees with a low of 66.
Sunrise is 6:24 a.m. Sunset is 8:06 p.m.
Average temperatures for May 5 are a high of 79 and low of 52. Records for the date were a high of 86 in 1987. The record low was 34 in 1973.
Last year, on May 5, the high was 77 with a low of 66.
Friday’s high was 79 with a low of 52.
The calendar
Calendar of events for Heavener and LeFlore County. If you are a non-profit, school or church, submit an event. This is a free service for non-profits and and churches so let us know if something is going on. CONTACT us.
Saturday
High school baseball: Dibble vs. Panama in Class 2A regional
6th annual LCYS golf tournament at Choctaw Country Club
Today in history
1970
National Guard kills four students in Kent State shootings
On May 4, 1970, in Kent, Ohio, 28 National Guardsmen fire their weapons at a group of anti-war demonstrators on the Kent State University campus, killing four students, wounding eight and permanently paralyzing another. The tragedy was a watershed moment for a nation divided by the Vietnam War... read more