Chickasha’s newest Chick was the big hero Tuesday as Brad Gore’s guys run-ruled Noble twice in their Elliott Field home opener.

Senior left fielder Jon Salazar had a career night as the third-ranked Chicks rolled over their guests, 14-0 and 9-1.

Salazar, whose family relocated from Claremore to Chickasha over the summer, went a perfect 7-for-7, hit a two-run home run and drove in eight runs, including the walk-off to end the nightcap early with the Chicks’ second run-rule of the night.

“Jon probably had the best pre-season of anybody,” Gore said. “He hit three home runs and was on top of the ball all scrimmage season. He’s a good kid and fits right in and we’re very happy to have him.”

The hard-hitting outfielder started the night with a towering two-run home run out near the scoreboard and tacked on an RBI double to the wall in left-center, a two-run single and three RBI singles.

And he singled to set the table for the Chicks’ last two runs of game one.

The newcomer may start a trend with his trademark mohawk if he keeps it up.

“I love Chickasha so much,” Salazar said after the game, beaming. “It’s such a welcome change from Claremore. The guys are loose and calm and everybody just gets better with every practice.

“It’s just a completely different atmosphere.”

When asked about his hitting philosophy, Salazar said simply: “It’s just staying under the ball and thanking Jesus right after every hit.”

His two-run first-inning blast wasn’t even the biggest blow as the Chicks jumped all over Bear starter Alex Kugler in the opener – that was reserved for DH Christian Fincher, who ripped a bases-loaded rope to the wall in left center for a three-run triple and a 6-0 lead.

Chick pitcher Braden Cook started the first-inning onslaught with an RBI single and he and Salazar went back-to-back with a pair in the second to extend the lead to 8-0.

Noble reliever Blake Lee got out of the third frame unscathed, but two-run doubles by catcher Devan Shepard and leadoff hitter and third baseman Chance Thomas got them out to a dozen in the home fourth for the five-frame win.

Cook pitched all five innings, allowed three scattered hits and fanned nine.

Chickasha went six innings to end Game Two early, 9-1.

Kugler got a little payback, doubling in a run in the top of the first, but Cook’s RBI single and Salazar’s RBI double in the home half got Chickasha out in front to stay.

Noble managed just one more hit off Thomas, a single in the third inning that resulted in a pickoff, and three scattered walks.

Thomas’ sacrifice fly to center scored first baseman Chris Nye in the home second, Cook doubled and scored on Salazar’s RBI single in the third, and the Chicks went in order in the fourth, sitting on a 4-1 lead.

But Salazar doubled in two more runs in the fifth and scored on Devan Shepard’s double to the fence to extend to 7-1.

Cook then doubled in run eight in the sixth and scored to end it on Salazar’s walk-off bullet up the middle.

Thomas got the win allowing a run on three hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

Chickasha (3-0) travels to 4A Weatherford Friday for an afternooner with Todd Gaunt’s second-ranked Eagles



Chicks ranked

No. 3 in 5A

Okrankings released their first coaches’ poll of the year Tuesday morning and state runner-up Chickasha opened the season ranked third in 5A, behind defending state champion Carl Albert and Deer Creek.