CLEVELAND — The season started like fireworks for the Cleveland Lady Tigers — loud, bright and fast. After a rainout at McLoud on Aug. 11, they rolled into the Cushing Fall Classic and looked every bit the part of giantkillers. They smacked Stroud 13–1, then doubled up host Cushing 9–4 in front of a loud crowd that made it feel like a home game. Even in a 9–2 loss to bigschool Muskogee, the Tigers battled, and they bounced right back the next day to clip Sapulpa 2–1 in a nail-biter. At 3–1, Cleveland looked like a team nobody wanted to draw on the schedule.
Then came Tecumseh. Twice. And Mannford.
Savaged by Tecumseh
Monday night, Tecumseh’s Walker and Townsend wasted no time putting runs on the board, and by the fifth inning it felt like every Lady Savage in the lineup was swinging from the heels. Seven runs came across in one frame, highlighted by Mitchell’s triple that rattled off the fence like a cannon shot. Final: 16–6.
Credit where it’s due — pitcher Khloe Carter never gave out, battling through seven full innings even as Tecumseh piled up 19 hits. Brylie Buntin did her best to keep the red and yellow alive, going 2-for-3 with Cleveland’s lone RBI.
The next day’s rematch looked brighter when Abigail Bevins ripped a first-inning RBI single to put Cleveland on top. The dugout came alive, and the Tigers looked ready to set things to rights. But Tecumseh answered, tied it, and then feasted on juicy Cleveland errors. By the fifth inning, it was 11–1, and the mercy rule closed the book. Gabby Smith worked the circle, Carter added a hit, and Bevins and Smith chipped in at the plate, but it wasn’t enough.
Sunk by the Pirates
Tuesday’s trip to Mannford was more of the same. The Pirate bats were alive, stringing together doubles and timely groundouts to build a lead that grew to 10–0. Carter again carried the load in the circle, while Addy Irving, Buntin and Smith scratched out hits. On the other side, Mannford’s Casey struck out 10 and never let Cleveland breathe.
Where they stand
At 3–4, the Lady Tigers still have plenty of ball left and a chance to get back on track. They’ll look to recapture that early-season spark Thursday when they visit Stroud — the same Stroud team they hammered 13–1 just two weeks ago.