BARTLESVILLE INDIANS WIN FIRST ROUND OF STATE AMERICAN LEGION TOURNEY
Doenges Toyota Indians player Parker Garrison trots back to home plate during an earlier summer baseball game. The Indians advanced to the second round of the Oklahoma American Legion State Tournament after downing McLoud 9-8 in Ada on Thursday. The team will play its next tournament match at 7:15 p.m. July 24.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports file photo
By Becky Burch
July 24, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Eddie Rice drew a bases-loaded, walk-off walk with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the Doenges Toyota Indians to a 9-8 victory over McLoud on Thursday in the first round of the Oklahoma State American Legion tournament.
McLoud held an 8-7 lead entering the bottom of the seventh before Grant Goldman sparked the game-winning rally with a triple to right field. Bryce Luelf entered as a pinch runner for Goldman and tied the game 8-8 when Rhett Leu drove him in with an RBI single on a hard grounder.\
The Indians capitalized on errors and disciplined plate appearances to finish the comeback. Joel Perez reached on a walk and advanced to second base on a failed pickoff attempt at first. Braxten Willis then reached on a fielding error, moving Perez to third base. After Parker Garrison was intentionally walked to load the bases, Rice took a 3-1 pitch for ball four to force home Perez for the winning run.
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Doenges Toyota Indian Joel Perez chases down a runner from third base during an earlier season game. The Indians advanced to the second round of the Oklahoma American Legion State Tournament after downing McLoud 9-8 in Ada on Thursday.. The team will play its next tournament match at 7:15 p.m. July 24.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports file photo
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The Indians held a 3-2 edge after three innings before both offenses surged late in the game. Ada scored three runs in the sixth, and the Indians responded with four runs of their own.
Nate Sloan anchored the offense by going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Perez finished 1-for-2 with two runs. Goldman added a hit in his lone at-bat and scored once. Leu and Rice each drove in two runs for the Indians, while Jaxon Zaun and Garrison added one RBI apiece. Sloan, Garrison, and Kamen Sprague each hit a double. On the basepaths, Sloan swiped two bags and Perez recorded one stolen base.
Zane Stricklin started on the mound, pitching six innings to earn the victory, scattering six hits and six runs—four earned—while striking out 10 batters. Easton Davis pitched one inning of relief. The Indians advance to the winners' bracket and will play the winner of Marietta and Ada on Friday at 7:15 p.m
The Indians are now 21-11-2 after dropping two games in the Stan Musial World Series held last week at Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium in downtown Bartlesville.
Doenges Toyota Indian and Copan Hornet Zane Striklin pitches during an earlier season game. The Indians advanced to the second round of the Oklahoma American Legion State Tournament after downing McLoud 9-8 in Ada on Thursday. The team will play its next tournament match at 7:15 p.m. July 24.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports file photo