The Ponca City Wildcats baseball team opened their season in a big way Monday by sweeping a doubleheader with the Muskogee Roughers.

In games played at the Po-Hi baseball field, Ponca City won the opener 6-5 and then topped Muskogee in the second game 5-2.

In the first game, both teams scored two runs in the first inning. Muskogee took a 4-2 lead with a pair of runs in the third inning. Ponca City scored 4 in t he sixth to push ahead 6-4 and was able to limit the Roughers to one run in the top of the seventh to win the game.

Brett Haney was the starting pitcher for the Wildcats. Brady Wicker was brought in to pitch in the fifth and finished the game. Wicker was credited with the win. Haney permitted eight hits and four earned runs during his stint as well as striking out four and walking two. Wicker gave up two hits and one earned run while striking out six and walking three in his three innings of work.

The Wildcats were outhit 10-5 by the Roughers. Corey Marazas had two hits for Ponca City, and Wicker, Haney and Hunter Freeman each had one hit. All the Wildcat hits were singles.

In the Ponca City first inning, Grant Harmon led off by drawing a walk. He later was thrown out while attempting to steal second. Wicker and Carson Williams drew walks and Marazas drove them home with a single.

In the sixth, Marazas led off with a single. Jaxon Testa was inserted to run the bases. Freeman bunted and reached base on an error. Collier Lively also reached on an error which allowed Testa to score. Lively stole second base and Gavin Cunningham reached base on an error on which Freeman scored. Lively scored after Harmon’s sacrifice bunt. Wicker reached base on yet another Muskogee error which allowed Cunningham to score.

In the second game, Muskogee took the lead with a run in the second inning and another in the third. Ponca City made the score 3-2 with three runs in the third. The Wildcats added a run each in the fourth and fifth innings.

Again Muskogee outhit the Wildcats, this time 6-4. Getting Ponca City’s hits were Wicker, Haney, Tabron Stanton and Nate Harbeson.

Freeman was the starting pitcher and Testa relieved in the fourth. Freeman gave up three hits, one earned runs and four walks while striking out three. Testa permitted three hits while not allowing a run. He struck out six Muskogee batters and walked seven. Testa was credited with the win.

In the third inning, Harbeson started things by drawing a walk and then he stole second. Harmon and Williams walked to load the bases. Haney reached on an error, and Harbeson and Harmons scooted home on the play. Stanton reached on an error, which allowed Mason Filtz, who was running for Williams, to score.

In the fourth inning, Lively reached on an error. Harbeson followed with a single and Lively went to third. Lively tagged up and came home on a sacrifice fly hit by Harmon.

Williams led off the fifth by getting hit with a pitch. Haney and Stanton followed with singles pushing Williams in to score the final run of the game.

Coach Casey Love said, “I am very proud of the players and the coaches,” in regards to the opening sweep.

The Wildcats are scheduled to return to action 5 p.m. Thursday when they host Guthrie.

(First Game)

PONCA CITY 6, MUSKOGEE 5

Muskogee 202 000 1 - 5 10 5

Ponca City 200 004 x - 6 5 3

Ponca City-- Brett Haney, Brody Wicker (5) and Carson Williams.

Muskogee-- P. Jackson, D. Grant (6)

W: Wicker. L: Jackson

(Second Game)

PONCA CITY 5, MUSKOGEE 2

Muskogee 011 000 0 - 2 6 4

Ponca City 003 110 x - 5 4 3

Ponca City -- Hunter Freeman, Jaxon Testa (4) and Carson Williams.

Muskogee -- B. Fullbright, D. Grant (4)

W: Testa. L: Fullbright.