LARRY LARKIN

Sports Sunday Correspondent

No. 1-ranked Owasso made the most of two opportunities to stop No. 14 Midwest City, 2-0, Friday in the opening round of the Class 6A high school baseball state tournament at Legion Field.

Rains had forced a two-day delay in the start of the tournament, but it did not deter fan interest. More than 600 spectators filled the stands to watch a royal pitching duel between lefthanders Brian Flynn of Owasso and Daniel Meeley, the Bombers' all-around leader.

The Claremore bracket of the tournament is scheduled to wrap up on Monday, and the winner will advance to the state championship game against the survivor of the bracket from Bixby.

Both teams were held to two hits each, but the 34-3 Rams turned their first hit, a triple by Cody Carpenter, into a third-inning run. Then, a bases loaded walk in the sixth produced Owasso's second score.

Midwest City, 25-15 and the designated home team, missed its best chance to score in the first inning. After two outs, a single, a walk, and a passed ball put runners at third and second.

Flynn then ended the threat by getting Tyler Kilmer to ground out to shortstop James Standfield. The 6-8, 250-pound Flynn then retired 11 straight.

J.R. Head ended the string with a one out walk in the fifth, but the Bomber center fielder could only reach second base before the inning came to an end.

Flynn (8-1) struck out eight while walking four during his six innings. Two of the walks came in the sixth, but caused little concern as Flynn ended the inning on a strikeout with his 88-mph fast ball.

Brandon Bargas took over the Ram pitching duties to in the seventh. Also a lefty, he recorded the final three outs with Ks while allowing a single.

Meeley (8-3) suffered the loss, but still impressed first-time viewers with his sharp breaking curve ball.

Signed to play with the University of Oklahoma, Meeley fell behind in the third.

Leading off the inning, Carpenter, the ninth-place hitter, drilled a shot to left field. Despite the infield area being in picture-perfect condition, the outfield was still wet following two days of heavy rain.