A dogged July drought continues to grip the Bartlesville Doenges Ford Indians baseball team with merciless obstinacy.
Not a drought of rain and cooler nights, but a punchless spell of hits and runs.
The withering offensive famine descended its most arid level in the home doubleheader against Marucci Midwest. In 14 innings, the Indians produced just four hits — albeit two of them were doubles — and one run as Marucci swept the twinbill, 5-0 and 3-1.
Since June 30, the Indians have scored 21 runs in nine games, an average of 2.3 runs per game, while posting a 4-5-1 record. Prior to that, they had averaged 5.2 runs while recording an 11-10 record.
Indians skipper John Pannell has changed the batting order several times in a search to find a ball-blasting chemistry.
Not every outing has been defined by plate futility.
On July 7, the Indians tallied nearly 10 runs in a come-from-behind 8-7 win against the Independence (Mo.) Cardinals. And, in the game prior to that, they scored four runs in a 4-0 triumph against Lonnie Coble.
But, take away those games and the Indians have a total of only nine runs in seven other games since the last day in June.
Bartlesville’s hitting woes hopefully bottomed out in Wednesday’s losses, in what might be their final competitive action until next week’s Stan Musial World Series regional in Bartlesville.
Meanwhile, Indian pitching and defense have continued to keep the Indians within striking distance of turning things around.
Those two phases of the game have been major highlights in what has been, overall, an entertaining summer of competition and close games.
The Indians fell to 14-15-1, their first time to dip below .500.
Their next scheduled action is in the middle of next week when they host the Musial regional, which will feature four teams in round-robin pool play during a two-day stretch.
Takeaways from Wednesday’s doubleheader
1, Seeding the pond
The Indians continue to give themselves a chance to break out. In the 3-1 loss to Marucci, they produced eight baserunners on three hits (doubles by Keegan Woods and Kaeden Young and a single by Kael Siemers) and five walks (by five different batters). But, they grounded into one rally-killing double play and left seven runners standing.
2, Mound hounds
Indian pitchers and gloves answered the call to give Bartlesville a chance for the most part. In the first game, starter Cole Hancock racked up 11 strikeouts in 6 2.3 innings, while giving up five hits and five runs. Trey Bennett III finished off with a shutout inning on 15 pitches, nine of them strikes. In game two, hard-luck starter Brenden Asher surrendered two hits and three walks and only one earned run (another unearned) in three innings. Grant Clark, Hayden Catlin and Matthew Winters then each turned in one inning of work. Grant, making just his second appearance, allowed one run; Catlin and Winters kept Marucci from crossing home plate.
3, Chase panel
Pannell still has a chance next week to record his 345th career win before this season ends. Pannell’s current mark in nearly 12 complete campaigns is 341-220-2. But, the Indians are guaranteed only three more games in next week’s Musial regional, although they could advance to the Musial state World Series if they win their regional pool. Pannell now ranks third all-time in career wins for the Indians. He trails only Stan Walton (470-206, 1989-99) and Al Solenberger (363-165, 1964-74). Next summer, Pannell has an excellent shot at surpassing Solenberger. Last year, Pannell pulled past Carl Brooks (318-110, 1979-85).
Twinbill summaries
MARUCCI 5, INDIANS 0: This game was much more competitive than the margin suggested. The teams battled to a scoreless tie through the first six innings. But, sparked by Bavrick Leu’s solo homer, Marucci erupted for five runs in the top of the seventh. Jake Wolfenburger added a two-run hit. Jace Thompson delivered Bartlesville’s lone hit and Siemers drew the Indians’ only walk. Dawson Morey and Young also reached base on an error and fielder’s choice, respectively, as the Indians left three runners stranded. Marucci’s Grayson Smith hurled the one-hit shutout, walking one batter and striking out five. Hancock threw 108 pitches during his gritty pitching effort that fell just one out shy of a complete-game performance. Hancock made his team-high 13th pitching appearance and sixth start. He has struck out 54 batters in 41 1/3 innings.
MARUCCI 3, INDIANS 1: Fueled by the doubles of Woods and Young, the Indian offense displayed signs of an offensive storm. But, they managed just one other hit (a single) and couldn’t build on the rumbles of thunder. Nik Johnson drove home Morey on a ground-out to record Bartlesville’s run. AJ Streater helped fire up Marucci’s offense by hitting a double and plating a run. Wolfenburger pitched the complete-game win for Marucci. The Indians threatened in the seventh inning with a leadoff walk by Thompson, followed by a single by Siemers. But, Marucci quickly ended the rally on a doubleplay and game-ending strikeout. With the sweep, Marucci split his six-game series with the Indians, 3-3.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Doenges Ford Indians’ bats cool in blast of July heat