Buffs give Cowboys a scare

After a 24-7 blowout loss on Wednesday, the Madras White Buffalos traveled to Prineville Thursday for a rematch with the Crook County Cowboys.

Although Crook County won, Madras head coach Jerry Shaw was pleased with the effort that he saw from his team in the 9-5 loss to the Cowboys.

“After last night, our big focus was coming out with good body language, good energy, and just worry about what we are doing and not worry about everything else,” he said. “They (the Buffs) played a lot better today. They played the full game and I'm just happy that they competed today.”

Crook County broke on top early with a run in the bottom half of the first, but the White Buffalos came back with three runs in the second inning to take the lead.

Crook County starting pitcher Cody Kurtz struggled with control in the second inning, walking Danny Jackson, Pablo Solis and Dasen Rodriguez to load the bases. Then Jared Penaloza singled up the middle scoring a pair of runs. Noah Vibbert and Tyler Clarkson then walked, bringing in another run.

Crook County brought in Zach Allen in relief with the bases still loaded and Nakomis Rivera ripped a hard line drive down the third base line that was snagged by third baseman Tyson Martinez, who stepped on third base for a double play to end the inning.

It was a key play and turning point in the game.

Crook County tied the game with a pair of runs in the third inning, and took the lead with a run in the fourth. However, the White Buffalos continued to battle back, scoring a run in the top of the fifth on a single by Rivera, a balk and a double by Jackson, tying the score.

The Cowboys regained the lead with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but once again Madras battled back, tying the game in the sixth inning on a walk, a single by Vibbert and a ground ball sacrifice from Clarkson. Penaloza then scored on a wild pitch from Allen.

Jackson pitched the entire game for the White Buffalos, and Shaw was pleased with how well he threw, until late in the game.

“They had seen him at least three times, so, he was starting to get fatigued and guys get timed up, but he threw the ball really well today,” he said.

However, Crook County scored four runs in the bottom half of the inning to regain control of the game. That's the way the game ended when Madras was unable to score in the top half of the seventh. Still, it was far better than the 24-7 loss a day earlier to the Cowboys, and Shaw said that if the White Buffalos continue to compete like they did on Thursday they will give themselves a chance to win some games.

“If we come out with this type of effort and this focus we give ourselves a much better shot,” he said.

Madras is now 1-5 in Tri-Valley Conference play and 8-8 overall, while Crook County improved to 6-0 in league and 12-3 overall. But four of the Buffs' six league games have come against fourth-ranked The Dales and eighth-ranked Crook County, all losses. The White Buffalos host Estacada, 0-6, 6-10, on Monday at 4:30 p.m., then travel to Estacada for a rematch with the Rangers on Wednesday. The White Buffalos then host Gladstone, 2-4, 6-11, on Friday.

Crook County 9, Madras 5

at Crook County

Madras – 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 – 5 7 0

Crook County – 1 0 2 1 1 4 x – 9 15 0