From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
May 29, 1997
LOCAL
Multiage Program Will Be Held at Garfield Academy
Police Nab Two Teens After Alarm
Tonkawa, Newkirk Gain Medical Clinic Services
Chamber News
PC Tomorrow Opts To Join Chamber
Southwest Side Assessment Critical Before Program Starts
West Side Area Neighbors Want To Form Group
'Kolya,' Academy-Award Winning Film at Poncan
DEATHS
Georgia G. Beattie
Services Pending
Nina Marie Krepps
Funerals
Medra J. Jones
Pamela Sue Himbury
NEWS BRIEFS
GARDENING
Garden Club Holds Meeting
SPORTS
Legion Royals Romp
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
A multiage program at Garfield Academy will be implemented in the 1997-98 school year. Approval of the program was given at a special meeting of the Ponca City Board of Education Tuesday night.
This program will not be a requirement for students at Garfield. Parents who want their students to participate may choose to do so. It will not count against them in any way if they choose not to enter the program.
Before understanding what multiage programs are, one has to understand the term "multiage." The multiage classroom will be made up of students ranging from 6 to 10 years of age. Continuous progress of the students will be facilitated by the use of flexible grouping where students will move freely in and out of groups as their needs change.
Through the use of thematic units and integrated curriculum, students will acquire necessary skills as each child's specific needs are met. Each student will accelerate according to his unique abilities.
Classroom Activities
Instructional presentations will come in a variety of formats. Whole class, small group, individualized instruction and activities, cooperative learning, partnering and learning centers will allow the students to benefit from a range of educational approaches which will enhance the overall mastery of concepts and objectives.
Hands on activities, projects and various oral presentation opportunities will reinforce student learning and ensure developmentally appropriate practices for each student. With the use of the instructional strategies listed above, the students will be actively engaged in a learning environment specifically designed to promote success.
All of these components are currently at place at Garfield except the mixing of ages in individual classrooms. Supporters of the program say mixing ages will make this type of instruction even more effective because of the support children in a range of ages give each other.
Student achievement will be measured and recorded in several ways to provide a more complete picture of student progress. Student portfolios will be used as an authentic assessment of each student. Standard grading cards will be revised to adequately reflect student progress without the traditional grade level limitations. Such reporting of progress will inform students, parents and educators of student's strengths and weaknesses and will allow for appropriate educational planning for the continuous learning of each child in the multiage classroom.
Rational Benefits
According to supporters of the program, multiage classrooms allow for more flexibility in the grouping of children according to need, ability or interest. Children are allowed to learn at their own pace.
Age and competition are de-emphasized in the multiage classroom. Learning is collaborative in a cohesive family atmosphere. Students develop leadership skills and a sense of caring as they help each other. Older students feel responsibility to be role models for young students who aspire to be like their mentors.
Another benefit could be the sense of stability. Transitions from year to year are easier because the teacher and many of the students already know one another.
Supporters say attitude, self-concept, work habits and leadership skills all increase with the program.
Research on Multiage Programs
The academic success of multiage schools is shown in the research review by Professor Barbara Pavan. She reviewed 64 research studies on nongraded (multiage) schools. Pavan found that 58 percent of those students in the program classes performed better than their peers on measures of academic achievement. Thirty-three percent performed as well as their peers, and only nine percent did not do as well as their peers.
Pavan also found that students in a multiage setting were more likely than their peers to have positive self-concepts, high self-esteem and good attitudes toward school.
In the book "Nongradedness - Helping It to Happen," Drs. Barbara Pavan and Robert Anderson noted that children enter school at different levels of readiness. The "school ready" child progresses from the beginning of grade K through the end of grade 3 at the expected rate.
The "late bloomer" moves toward this goal at a different rate. After lagging behind for 3 years, the late bloomer suddenly catches on and advances through several years of the standard curriculum if he has been placed in the continuous progress situation that allows for this type of acceleration.
Progress Toward Multiage
Administrators of Ponca City point out that teachers at Garfield have spent over five years learning and perfecting skills in order to provide this program.
The past nine months have been spent reviewing literature that deals specifically with multiage teaching. Also, several teachers have visited classrooms in Oklahoma, Missouri and Arizona.
If any parent has questions concerning the program, please call Dr. John Scroggins, curriculum and development, at 765-8000. This program will only be implemented at Garfield Academy.
Quick response to a burglar alarm led to the arrest of two local teens. The Ponca City Police Department continues to search for a third suspect.
Seven Ponca City police officers responded to a burglar alarm at a business in the 2000 block of Lake Road just after 1 a.m. this morning. Two teens were caught in the act of entering the business by force, through the back door.
An officer arrested a 17-year-old boy for carrying a firearm while committing a felony, attempted burglary and wearing a hood while committing a felony. The youth was jailed overnight and taken to the Kay County Detention Facility, in Newkirk, this morning. He will be turned over to the Office of Juvenile Affairs and appear in district court.
Possession of a firearm during the crime allows the youth to be treated as an adult during the interrogation and jailing process, according to the PCPD. The teen committed a reverse certification crime. It will be up to the youth's attorney to prove that he should not be tried as an adult.
A 16-year-old boy was also arrested for attempted burglary, but released to his parents on a promise to appear in district court. A vehicle, believed to have been driven to the scene by the suspects, has been towed. A third suspect is wanted for questioning in connection with the crime.
Residents in two local communities now have access to health care services, thanks to the opening of one clinic and the extended hours of another.
The recently opened Tonkawa Medical Clinic provides health care services for the residents of Tonkawa, and extended hours make health care appointments more accessible for the residents of Newkirk at the Newkirk Medical Clinic.
Both clinics provide individualized care for patients, including focusing on health problems and supplying educational information.
Family Nurse Practitioner Sherry Kincaid will serve at both clinics, with office hours at one clinic in the morning and at the other clinic in the afternoon. She will be performing physical examinations, treating acute health problems such as infections and injuries and diagnosing, treating and monitoring chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Well-child care services such as screenings and immunizations will also be available.
Kincaid said wellness and self-care will also be discussed during patient's visits. "Sometimes people have worries and concerns that may lead to their feeling sick," said Kincaid. "We're there to give counseling and educational information to those patients so they can make healthy adjustments in their lifestyles to feel better."
Other services available at the clinics include: routine women's health, health care maintenance for adults, including annual physicals, and performing and interpreting diagnostic studies such as lab work and x-rays.
"We look forward to providing these services as well as many others to the residents of Tonkawa and Newkirk," added Kincaid.
The Tonkawa Medical Clinic is located at 600 East Grand in Tonkawa. Appointment times are available Monday through Friday by calling (405) 628-3838. The Newkirk Medical Clinic is located at 109 South Maple. Appointments may be made by calling (405) 362-6262.
Leadership Ponca City '98
Although summer means vacation and taking it easy for a lot of people, the staff at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce is still hard at work.
Plans are being made for the Leadership Ponca City Class of '98. Several changes are in the works before new class members will be selected. Those changes include an overnight retreat instead of a session at the Ropes course. Tuition fees will increase from $375 to $425 to defray the costs of the new activity. Class members will also be required to serve on a city or private board to give insight into the function of those organizations and how they serve Ponca City.
Applications for Leadership Ponca City will be available by mid-June. Call the Chamber office at (405)765-4400 for more information.
Coupon Promotion
A coupon promotion is being organized by the "Give Ponca The Business" committee and the Ponca City Tourism Authority. This promotion will allow local chamber member businesses to place advertising coupons in tourism packets that will be distributed to bus tours scheduled to visit Ponca City. In 1996, there were more than 150 bus tours in Ponca City, often carrying 45 or more passengers. Numerous tours have already been scheduled for this year, with more calls coming in daily. While tour participants may not have time to shop in Ponca City while on their tour, many do return or recommend Ponca City to their family and friends.
If your business would like to be included in this new advertisement campaign, at NO COST TO YOU, please submit a camera ready coupon size ad (3.75-inches x 1.75-inches) to the address listed below. If your ad will not include any specialization, a generic ad can be prepared for you. Please submit the following information: Name of Business, Address, Phone Number(s), Other information, i.e., type of discount, promotion, etc.
All ads will be printed with Dec. 31, 1997, expiration dates and will be formatted to be clipped out for usage.
Mail your ad or information by June 1 to the Chamber office, "Give Ponca The Business," P.O. Box 1109, Ponca City, OK 74602.
Other Upcoming Events
Ribbon Cuttings:
June 4 - 10 a.m. Merry Maids
June 5 - 2 p.m. Nutri-System
June 7 - 2 p.m. Urgent Care Clinic
Meetings:
June 2 - 4 p.m. Education Meeting (PC Tomorrow offices)
June 3 - noon. Health & Medical (St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Conference "B")
June 4 - 8 a.m. "Give Ponca The Business"
June 5 - 7:30 a.m. Crimestoppers
All meeting will be held at the Chamber offices, 420 East Grand, unless otherwise noted.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
The board of directors for Ponca City Tomorrow voted to move forward in negotiations regarding coming under the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce.
An ad hoc committee presented a document which was supported by all but one board member. The document clarified conditions under which Ponca City Tomorrow would agree to join the chamber.
Under the agreement, the board supports the idea of consolidating resources and creating synergy within the communities organizations. Conditions identified include:
- Keeping the by-laws, charter, and program of work of Ponca City Tomorrow the same unless approved by the PCT board.
- Maintain the autonomy, duties and authority of the PCT board, subject to change only by majority vote of the PCT board.
- Ensure that the responsibilities, duties and over-all commitment of the president of PCT would not be compromised by joining the chamber organization.
- Costs of projects, activities and the general program of work for PCT would be fully funded per PCT's submitted budget.
- The PCT chairman would become a member of the Chamber Executive Committee.
- The PCT board would select delegates who would have 25 percent representation on the overall chamber board.
In addition, the document includes two recommendations. First, priority in filling the vice-president position for the chamber should be given to current PCT president and CEO, Cathryn Ferguson. The suggestion came out of Ferguson's record of service, and the respect she enjoys with the community and the PCT board.
Furthermore, the agreement encouraged the executive committee to closely review duties and responsibilities of chamber staff. Adequate support for the expanded work and activities of the new organization and its leaders is needed.
"We're showing what we want the community to do, setting an example of what needs to happen," Linda Ralston said of joining the chamber.
Anxious to get the issue resolved, Chairman Danny Thompson said, "If we do not join the chamber, the only alternative is to go out and get money."
Commissioner Dick Stone noted, "The move would enhance the Chamber's credibility in the community and allow Ponca City Tomorrow to continue building."
According to Scott Dean, who is also vice-chair of the chamber board, the executive committee will consider the submission in a special session next week. His only concerns relate to fully funding the PCT budget and giving delegates 25 percent representation on the chamber board.
In other business, members regretfully accepted the resignation of Vice-Chair Mary Mitchell, who will be leaving Ponca City. Nominations for a new vice-chair will be considered.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
An assessment of the southwest side of the city is critical before the Ponca City Police Department can implement a new program to place special emphasis in an area plagued by burglaries, prowler complaints and fights.
For the past two years, the department has been researching ideas to address the neighborhood, bordered by Highland Avenue, South Avenue, Palm Street and Burlington Northern Railroad tracks. It appears that traditional police services have not been effective and the department wants to try alternative means.
Monday, the department received support from the Ponca City Board of Commissioners to apply for a $75,875 grant through the Bureau of Justice which would pay for an assessment as well as reimburse funding for personnel, office rental, utilities, telephones and business cards. The application does not include costs for police vehicles, computer equipment, office supplies or clerical services, but would be a reimbursement of funds, confirmed Capt. Clayton Johnson who prepared the proposal. No new employees will be hired for the project.
Since 1991, the demand for police services has increased dramatically on the southwest side of Ponca City. For the past two years, this area has had the highest number of disturbance, burglary and prowler calls.
Assessment Needed
In the beginning, an assessment of the neighborhood would be conducted by the Sociology Department of Oklahoma State University. The study would assess public fear of crime, opinion of police services, concern with juvenile crime, community needs, racial makeup, age makeup, income of household residents and percentage of renters versus property owners.
The police captain has been in contact with Donald L. Yates, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at Oklahoma State University. The cost of the initial assessment, follow up and a reevaluation after the first year, totals $11,000.
Graduate students, working with Yates, would design, conduct and evaluate the results before the PCPD would take any action. According to Johnson, once the assessment has been completed, goals can be developed and strategies can be set to address the goals. After a year, the final assessment would measure the success of the unique approach. The department would determine whether to continue, abandon or modify the program.
Resource Center
Furthermore, the Ponca City Schools offered the recently abandoned Lincoln Elementary School building to be used as a Resource Center. The department plans to continue traditional police efforts with more proactive police practices, including assistance from other governmental agencies, social service groups, community groups and educators.
Already, attorneys, mediation services, counselors, chaplains, juvenile community services, , government referrals through the city such as code enforcement, fire marshal, social services, the Kay County Health Department, Adult Literacy Council, the Citizens' Police Academy Alumni, Ponca City Tomorrow, Northern Oklahoma Youth Services, schools and churches have indicated they want to participate in the center.
Two officers would spend the majority of their time in the neighborhood, working out of the center. Residents of the west side would be encouraged to contact these officers when they have a problem.
If the problem is not an emergency and does not require immediate response, the officers can be contacted at the resource center. However, patrol officers would handle emergency calls and other calls when promptness is a necessity.
The Mutual Respect and Community Attitude Committee for Ponca City Tomorrow received support for forming a West Side neighborhood association from area residents.
At the West Side Block Party and Community Gathering held May 3, more than 80 neighbors filled out forms indicating their interest in an association. The following comments were received from residents:
- better upkeep of homes;
- location of a fire station, grocery and drug store;
- keep grass mowed;
- keep trash bagged;
- generate a neighborly and friendly feeling to the area;
- hold parades;
- form a neighborhood watch group;
- having more community events;
- sponsor activities for the kids;
- make improvements to the parks; and
- remove abandoned buildings.
A date for the next committee meeting will be forthcoming.
"A work of love," is the description film critic Roger Ebert has for "Kolya," the Academy-Award winning film playing at the Poncan Theatre in Ponca City. "Kolya" is the name of the small boy whose presence changes the life of an older man in the movie.
"We're proud to be able to get 'Kolya' for Ponca City area viewers," say Kenn Wessel, director of the Poncan Theatre. "This movie has impressed both the film community and the large numbers of audiences who are eager to see it. It's a loving, gentle story that touches all of us." he added.
"Kolya" won the Golden Globe award this year. It also won the Academy Award Oscar for "Best Foreign Film," for this year. "This movie is the fifth consecutive Academy-nominated film to show at the Poncan Theatre," Wessel says. "We're trying to bring the highest quality film to our patrons," he added.
"Kolya" is the story of a concert cellist, name Louka, in Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia - a man who loses his job and has to find new sources of income. As the film develops, Louka hits up a profitable scheme to enter into a marriage of convenience in exchange for money. For pay, he marries a Russian woman who wants Czech citizenship papers.
But the woman immediately takes advantage of the arrangement by bolting off with her real lover, leaving her 5-year-old son behind. All of a sudden, Louka finds himself saddled with a responsibility he doesn't want. The boy, named Kolya, speaks only Russian, and his new father, Louka, speaks only his native Slovakian tongue. The two slowly learn from each other.
Ebert says that "Kolya" is special because of "The way it paints the details." The acting is universally praised. "Both the man and the child are extraordinary," says Wessel. "Box Office" magazine writes that the boy "has an amazingly expressive face."
"This film is a terrific work," says Wessel. But it's also very popular. "Voters on the internet scored it a 9.5 on a 10-point scale," he says. "They also called it one of the best movies ever." Ebert says the movie is also "Beautifully photographed." He adds "missing a film like 'Kolya' is not a price I would be willing to pay."
"Kolya" shows at the Poncan Friday through Sunday, in rotation with "The Crucible," then continues nightly the first week of June. The film is rated PG-13.
For show times, patrons can watch the Ponca City News or call the Poncan
Theatre at 765-0943.
DEATHS
Georgia G. Beattie, 304 East Detroit, died Tuesday morning, May 27, 1997, at her home. She was 63.
The funeral service will be Friday, 11 a.m. at the chapel of the Trout Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenny Graham, associate pastor, First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Born Jan. 13, 1934, in Ponca City, she was the daughter of Claire R. and Margueritt Purvis Coate. She attended Newkirk schools. On Nov. 5, 1949, she married Harris Arthur Beattie at Arkansas City, Kan.
Many will remember Georgia working as a waitress at the Landmark Cafe and the Elks Lodge Dining room. She was a longtime member of the Women of the Moose and enjoyed bingo, bowling, fishing, golf, and her gardening.
She is survived by two daughters, Karen Ingels and Joanna Morris, both of Ponca City; a son, Jimmy Beattie, Bossier City, La.; her friend and companion, Walt Williams, Ponca City; six grandchildren, Greg Ingels, Stephen Glaser, Amy Glaser, Allen Beattie, Patrick Sanders, and Kyle Sanders; brothers, Lee Allen Coate of Fort Benning, Ga., and Larry McCarter of Enid; sisters, Diana Lowry of Oxford, Kan., Zella Gilbert of Kansas City, and Norma Lee Nearhood of Winfield, Kan.
In addition to her husband, who died April 16, 1989, she was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Gary Lee Coate; and a sister, Annabell Martindale.
Casket bearers will be Steve Shea, Jim Beguin, Bill Lyons, Ollie White, Jerry Brown, and Harry Williams. Honorary casket bearers will be Tommy Short, Allen Beattie, Bill Kubick, Greg Ingels, Stephen Glaser, Patrick Sanders, Kyle Sanders and Max Albers.
Memorials may be made to Mooseheart, in care of the Moose Lodge 1031, 500 West Prospect, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The casket will remain open at the funeral home until 10 a.m. Friday.
The family will be at the home, 304 East Detroit.
paid obituary
WINFIELD, Kan. - Nina Marie Krepps, mother to Marvin Krepps of Ponca City, died early this morning, May 29, 1997, at Resthaven Retirement Home in Winfield, Kan. She was 85. Arrangements are pending with Miles Funeral Home, Winfield, Kan. Memorials may be made in Mrs. Krepps' name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union Street, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to the Epilepsy Foundation of America, c/o Miles Funeral Service, 4001 East Ninth Street, Winfield, KS 67156.
Friday
Medra J. Jones - Funeral will be graveside at 2 p.m. in Ponca City IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Saturday
Pamela Sue Himbury - Funeral to be held at 10 a.m. at Woodlands
Christian Church. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery
under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City. The family will be
at the funeral home from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. Other arrangements are
pending and will be announced later.
NEWS BRIEFS
Fund Raiser Scheduled - A Hair Cut-a-Thon is scheduled for June 1 to raise funds to the Romanian Mission Trip for Deb Herron. The event will be held from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Pro-Cuts, 3004 North Fourteenth - donations only - by professional hair stylists. Everyone welcome to participate.
PrimeTimers - A travel show for the Tournament of Roses Parade held in Pasadena, Calif., will be held at the Pioneer Bank. The event will be Tuesday, at 2 p.m. according to Kate Morton, director.
Volleyball Tournament - A coed volleyball tournament benefiting "Oklahoma Committee to Prevent Child Abuse" will be held Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., south of the Commercial Federal Bank building, 400 East Central. Four-person teams. Entry fee $25. Call Kelli Moore or Renea McKain 767-0614 to register.
Forgery - A Ponca City police officer responded to United Supermarket, 2800 North Fourteenth Street, at 10:09 a.m. Wednesday to take a forgery report.
Vandalism - A resident in the 1500 block of Crawford Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday to report youths painting the sidewalk with gold paint. An officer located the kids and requested they clean up the paint.
Illegal Aliens - An employee at Temporary Personnel, 1722 North Fourth Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 2:52 p.m. Wednesday that undocumented aliens were at the business. Two officers responded and took a 22-year-old woman and a 20-year-old woman into custody. The two remained at the Ponca City jail overnight.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism to a vehicle in the 900 block of North Union Street at 2:59 p.m. Wednesday.
Bike Stolen - A resident in the 2000 block of Joe Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 4:28 p.m. Wednesday that a Murray mountain bike was stolen from the residence. An officer took a report.
Careless Driving - A Ponca City police officer responded to the report of two pickups speeding up and down the alley in the 800 block of Walnut Avenue at 6:31 p.m. Wednesday. One vehicle was located. An officer took an accident report and issued citations.
Under the Influence - A 23-year-old man was arrested at South Third Street and East Ponca Avenue at 10:50 p.m. Wednesday for running two red lights and driving under the influence.
Curfew Violations - A Ponca City police officer issued citations
to two juveniles located at North Fifth Street and East Emporia Avenue at
12:23 a.m. Thursday. The officer took the youths home.
GARDENING
The upcoming Ponca City Herb Festival was the main topic of discussion at the May meeting of Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Garden Club. It was held at the home of Mary Perkins with Carol Hamrick and Marlene Roth as co-hostesses. Janice Yeary was welcomed as a new member and Georgia Cline was a guest.
"Portrait of a Gardener" video was previewed. The club will purchase books for the Ponca City Library in memory of deceased club member Bobbie London and Garden Council member, the late Faye Paisley Cook. Donations may be made to Mrs. Barker.
Members are completing plans for the June 7 Herb Festival and posters and flyers were handed out for community distribution. Corrine Holder, Seminar chairperson, reported the free seminars had doubled in number and will include several topics. Mary Anne Potter, Vendor chairperson, reported an increase in the number of booths available and that refreshments will be served.
An Herb Festival volunteer meeting is scheduled for May 28. Individuals
or community organizations interested in becoming involved with the festival
are asked to contact Marlene Roth, 767-1344, or Rebecca Barker, 765-1689.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
BLACKWELL - Ponca City's American Legion Majors put on a hitting display against Blackwell here Wednesday as the Royals pounded out 25 hits and 28 runs to sweep past the Aces in doubleheader action, 17-1 and 11-3.
Justin Thomas and Jason Ross were the most prolific batters as both ended the day 5-for-8. Thomas was 3-for-5 in the first game and 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the second. Ross went 3-for-4 in Game 1 with three RBIs and came back in the nightcap to go 2-for-4 with another RBI.
The Royals, who run-ruled Blackwell in both games, also benefited from good pitching. Matt Holland (1-0) started the first game and went all six innings to post the win. He allowed just one run on six hits, struck out three, hit one but did not allow a walk. He also fielded his position well, coming up with five assists.
In Game 2, Dean Hemenway (1-0), who didn't pitch for the high school varsity team, also went all six innings. He gave up just one earned run on four hits with six strikeouts and five walks.
The Royals, now 2-3 on the young season, travel to Bartlesville tonight for a single seven-inning game at 7:30. Saturday's scheduled home doubleheader against Guthrie may have to be moved to Tonkawa due to the recent work on the outfield at the high school field. Legion business manager Ellwyn Thomas was unsure Wednesday night where the doubleheader would be played. It is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
In the first Blackwell game, the Aces got to Holland for three consecutive singles in the opening frame to plate a run. But that was all the Aces would score.
Blackwell still led 1-0 going into the top of the fourth but shaky defensive play led to four unearned runs as the Royals plated six in the frame.
Rocky Hughes got the inning started with a double but couldn't score on Jason Neff's double that followed. After a strikeout, Chris Koenig flared a single over second base for an RBI and then Marc Smith walked to load the bases.
Doug Scott sent a grounder to third base that got through for an error and Neff scored. The Blackwell third baseman then fielded another grounder - off the bat of J.R. Fry - and threw wildly to first, allowing two more runs to cross the plate.
Josh Shafer then stepped to the plate with two outs and promptly ripped a two-RBI double off the wall in right-center field to put the Royals up 6-1. Hughes then struck out to end the inning.
Ponca City batted around in the sixth inning as well, sending 17 batters to the plate. The Royals scored 11 runs in the frame and faced four separate Blackwell pitchers.
The Royals bashed out eight hits and Thomas went 2-for-2 in the inning.
Neff had an RBI single in the frame, Ross had a two-RBI single and an RBI walk, Smith drove in a run with a single, Shafer had an RBI single and Hughes had an RBI bloop double to go with a sacrifice fly.
In Game 2, the Poncans plated three runs in the first and never trailed. Blackwell did close to within 3-2 but then the Royals put together a six-run fourth and closed out the run-rule with two more runs in the sixth.
In addition to Thomas and Ross, who had two hits apiece, third baseman Jay Bentley also had a multiple hit game. He was 2-for-4 with a triple a double and produced three RBIs.
The Royals got the game off to a good start as an error and a hit batsman set the table for Bentley. His rocket shot out to right field took a high bounce over the charging outfielder and rolled to the wall for a two-RBI triple. Bentley then scored on a wild pitch.
Thomas had his own two-RBI triple in the fourth as the Royals struck for six runs on four hits. Ross also had an RBI double in the frame.
After a walk and a double allowed Blackwell a third run in the bottom of the fifth, Hemenway got serious. He struck out the next two batters to end the inning and then ended the sixth with two more strikeouts.
Ponca City 17, Blackwell 1 (Game 1)
Ponca City 000 60(11) - 17 16 3
Blackwell 100 000 - 1 6 6
PC-Holland and Neff. BL-McMartin, Styron (6), Davis (6), Dill (6) and Golden. WP-Holland (1-0). LP-McMartin.
Ponca City 11, Blackwell 3 (Game 2)
Ponca City 300 602 - 11 9 3
Blackwell 002 010 - 3 4 3
PC-Hemenway and Neff, Fry (6). BL-Bechtold, Jones (4) and Dill. WP-Hemenway (1-0). LP-Bechtold.