Jul 30, 2010
Oilers win Clear Creek baseball tournament
March 9, 2010
PEARLAND — The Pearland Oilers (10-2) entered the Clear Creek baseball tournament looking to develop team chemistry on the field and for the most part - head coach Ben Pardo saw some great early season potential as the Oilers prepare for District 22-5A competition.
"Our pitching and hitting has been very positive," Pardo said. "Because of the weather, we haven't been on the field that much to get in work defensively as we do have some issues in that area. But I am confident in what I am seeing this early in the season."
What Pardo got to see is his diamondmen go 6-0 at the Clear Creek baseball tournament to pick up the team title while posting some wins over some very talented teams which included the Lufkin Panthers who eliminated the Oilers 4-2 in 11 innings last year in the 5A state semifinals.
"Getting the win over Lufkin was sweet," Pardo said.
Pearland 4 Westside 1
When a team gets only one hit in a game, they usually don't come out as winners. However, the Pearland Oilers picked up a 4-1 win on one hit, but took advantage of some miscues by Westside to pull out the win.
Head coach Ben Pardo threw a different pitcher each inning and the seven pitchers allowed only three hits and one run.
Matt Rhodes scored two runs without the benefit of a hit while Drew Dekerlegand went hitless, but scored a run and got a sacrifice fly for an RBI.
Kyle Cross, who was the winning pitcher, scored one run while Kelly Cross picked up the only hit (double) for the Oilers.
Pearland scored two runs in the bottom of the first and third innings for the 4-0 lead. Westside scored a single run in the top of the fifth.
Pearland 5 - Clear Brook 4
Clear Brook jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning before Pearland scored three runs in the top of the third for a 3-2 advantage.
The Wolverines added two more in the bottom of the third, but the Oilers answered with two in the top of the fourth for a 5-4 lead which would be the way the game would end.
Cody Michna opened the top of the fourth with a walk and moved to second with a stolen base. Kyle Cross stroked a one-out double to plate Michna. Cross moved to third on a pass ball and then scored on a single by Matt Rhodes for the game-winning hit.
Kyle Cross picked up the win on the mound allowing four runs on four hits while striking out nine. Michna got the save.
Pearland 3 - Clear Creek 2
Drew DeKerlegand (3-for-4, run scored) opened the top of the fifth inning with a single with the score knotted at 2-2. Dekerlegand stole second and scored on a single by Andrew Uresti which would be the game winner.
Brock Hartson was the winning pitcher for the Oilers allowing two earned rns on seven hits while striking out nine.
Pearland 17 - Hebron 10
The Oilers banged out nine hits and scored 17 runs as Kelly Cross picked up the win on the pitching hill.
Pearland scored five runs in the top of the first and then gave up seven runs in the bottom of the first giving Hebron a quick 7-5 lead.
But the Oilers opened up the game with eight runs in the top of the third for a 13-5 lead and then coasted for the 17-10 win.
Kelly Cross picked up the win while Michael Matthews (1-for-2, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), Cody Michna (2-for-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI), and Kyle Cross (3-for-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI) paced the Pearland offense.
Pearland 19 - Clear Lake 6
The Oilers led 10-6 entering the top of the seventh inning against Clear Lakein the final game of the Clear Creek tournament. The Oilers erupted for nine runs in the final frame to finish off the Falcons 19-6 to win the tournament with a perfect 6-0 mark.
Pearland knocked off their 2009 state semifinal opponent Lufkin 9-7 to reach the finals of the Creek tourney.
The Oilers banged out 16 hits for 19 runs as Kelly Cross (4-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs) led the offensive attack.
Ryan Perea picked up the win after allowing six runs on six hits with four runs earned while striking out seven. Ryan Kay pitched two perfect innings to close out the Falcons.