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    Going out on top
July 27, 2008

Oklahoma Angels claim USSSA World Series title

Team comprised of area players goes 7-0 in season finale

Ron Booth

DUNCAN — The Oklahoma Angels won the 11 & Under AA USSSA World Series in Plano, Texas, recently, going 7-0 and scoring 10.57 runs a game, while giving up just 3.57.

Holden Nichols was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Nichols was a member of the 10 & Under AA World Series All-Tournament in 2007. Mason Hightower was named the Offensive MVP. Conner Kinnaird was named the Defensive MVP. Garrett Shannon was named Most Valuable Player on the mound with three wins in the World Series.

“The kids on this team have all won state championships before,” Angels head coach Tim Hightower said. “I’ve coached a lot of these kids for seven years. All of these kids have played in state tournaments and World Series in previous years. Winning a World Series was special for these kids. That is something that most kids aren’t ever going to experience on any level.”

The Angels qualified for the World Series by finishing second at the Boomtown qualifier in Oklahoma City. The Angels won the MYBA qualifier, the A/AA Shootout and the Norman qualifier. In those three tournaments, the Angels were 13-0.

The Angels scored a season-high 19 runs in two tournaments, the Norman qualifier and the Moore A/AA qualifier.

At the A/AA Shootout in April, the Angels outscored their opponents by 7.6 runs, averaging 11.2 a game. The squad finished the season with a 42-9 record and ranked first in 11 & Under AA in Oklahoma USSSAA and ranked 12th in the nation. The Angels were 12-0 in DYSC play.

The Angels consist of Aaron Burger, Berkley Faulkner, Anthony Green, Tyler Hicks, Hightower, Kinnaird, Trevor McClure, Beau Meshell, Nichols, McKenna Rochell and Shannon.

The players are from four different area towns. Faulkner, Kinnaird, Hightower and Hicks are all from Duncan, while Meshell and Shannon are from Marlow. Green is from Empire and Rochell is from Comanche. Nichols, McClure and Burger hail from Rush Springs.

In the finals of the World Series, the Angels topped the Voyaguers, 10-2.

Nichols hit a grand slam in the second inning to break a 2-2 tie, and Hightower cranked out a two-run shot.

In the third inning, the Angels got the last two runs they needed. Faulkner had an RBI single, and she scored on a single by Kinnaird.

Hightower said that there was a role for all of the parents and players throughout the season and the World Series.

“When you combine teams, it is tough to jell,” he said. “Everybody on our team made a big play or did something to contribute during the World Series.

“Nearly every daddy had a role,” Hightower said. “Our mamas and fans were great.”

Hightower admits that there were ups and downs through the season.

“The coaches and myself had high expectations coming into this year,” he said. “We are proud to be one of the top teams in the nation. It was all the kids. They did every bit of it.

“We started off the season by winning two of our first three tournaments. When league play started, we were busy, and I think the kids got tired. We gave them two weeks off before we went down to the World Series. When we got down there, these kids were hungry.”

Next season, Hightower said that the Angels would be moving up a division.

“We’ll probably play some AAA,” he said. “We’re looking at being more competitive.”

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