The Rangers tried to fight back from a five-run deficit, but their rally stalled as seven runners were left on base over the final three innings. As a result, Roland slipped to 6-9 with the loss.
The visiting Indians built a 5-0 lead through the opening four innings before Roland got some offense going in the bottom of the fifth. Brian Smith walked and went to second when Zack Manchester drew another base on balls. Smith advanced to third on a fielder's choice and scored when Jennings Tutton lined a single up the middle to make it 5-1. Pocola reliever David Stout struck out the next batter and got out of the inning when J.J. Jennings' deep fly ball was caught at the fence in left field.
Roland threatened to cut further into the deficit in the bottom of the sixth as a single by Chase Quickel plus walks by B.R. Rutherford and Smith loaded the bases with one out. However, Stout struck out a batter and got another to ground out. Stout also got the Indians out of a jam in the bottom of the seventh as Roland left two more runners on base.
Chris Gentry was the winning pitcher, working the first four innings. He allowed two hits, struck out five and walked three before Stout came on in the fifth inning to seal the victory for Indians.
Colton Daniels took the loss. The Roland left-hander struck out five, walked three and allowed eight hits. Manchester finished up with two scoreless innings on the mound.
The Rangers had four hits in the game. In addition to Tutton's RBI-single, Roland also got hits from Kyp Matlock, Quickel and Ricky Acosta.
Stout led Pocola at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Leadoff hitter Josh Miller added a two-RBI single in the top of the second to break a scoreless tie. Stout and Blake Gentry both drove in runs to make it 4-0 in the third inning and the Indians' final run scored on a Roland error in the top of the fourth.
Roland was scheduled to play later this week at the Stigler tournament before traveling to Sallisaw for a 4:30 p.m. game Monday.
