Published: July 20, 2008 12:26 am            

Enid AAAs bound for state

A recent early-morning hitting lesson with assistant coach James Peoples paid off for Mikey Bretado and the Enid AAA American Legion team Saturday in the finals of the zone tournament at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

“(Peoples) just reminded me of the basic fundamentals,’’ Bretado said. “Mainly, it was keeping my weight back and keeping my head on the ball.’’

Bretado executed those fundamentals perfectly in his final at-bat Saturday against Edmond, driving a double to left that set up Enid’s winning rally in the seventh inning of a 3-2 victory.

The win improved Enid’s record to 31-14 and sends the local AAA team to next week’s state tournament in Choctaw.

Reaching the state tournament would not have been possible without some late heroics.

Trailing 2-1 going into the top of the seventh, Bretado led off with a double, stole third without a throw and scored the tying run on a wild pitch by Edmond reliever Drew Dahlberg.

“Coach (Scott) Baugh gave me the green light to (steal) if I saw it,’’ said Bretado. “I saw it and I took off.’’

Enid took the lead moments later when Seth Floyd ripped a double to left, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on an infield grounder by Dylan Nave.

“That was a big hit by Seth,’’ said Bretado.

That one-run margin would be all Enid reliever Blake McMullen would need in the bottom of the seventh.

Enid right fielder Joe Black made a fine running catch in foul territory to record the first out and McMullen got two more flyouts to end it.

McMullen got the win in 21/3 innings of solid work. He allowed just one hit, gave up no walks and fanned two.

“Blake came in and did his job,’’ said Bretado. “He threw strikes. He was hitting his spots and his curveball was really breaking.’’

Enid starter Brett Kenaga pitched 42/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits, including a solo homer by Dahlberg in the fifth inning that gave Edmond a 2-1 lead.

Enid’s pitching performance on Saturday came one day after Seth Sturgeon pitched a no-hitter against Edmond on Friday. Sturgeon came within one walk of a perfect game.

Kenaga got Enid on the board in the second inning with a solo homer off Edmond starter Jeff Shropshire. It was Kenaga’s 10th home run of the summer.

Enid had chances to break the game open but stranded the bases loaded in the second and fourth innings.

Kenaga, Sturgeon and Jackson Johnson each had two hits for Enid.