By Byron Beers/Staff Writer

El Reno was swept by Dale in its summer league season opener last Tuesday on the road.

The Indians finished with just three hits and left nine runners stranded on base in a 6-3 loss in the opening game.

Jarrod Cole, Tyler Palmer and Dillon Deitrick accounted for the only hits.

El Reno did strike first during the first inning as Cole knocked a run with an RBI triple that scored Hunter Epperson. Palmer would later drive in the next run, also in the opening frame, on a groundout.

But Dale answered with two runs each in the second, third and fourth innings off Deitrick.

The Indians scored their final run during the fifth when Palmer singled home Kurt Shemanske.

Deitrick took the loss as the starting pitcher. In six innings, he allowed five earned runs on six hits, while striking out one batter and walking four.

Head coach Jason Looper’s club dropped a 9-4 decision in the nightcap.

Cole and Michael Costin both saw time on the mound. In a starting role, Cole lasted 2.2 innings where he gave up six earned runs on three hits. He recorded one strikeout and issued six walks.

Costin took the loss in relief. He tossed the final two-plus innings, allowing three earned runs. Costin surrendered just one hit, but walked seven.

Shemanske got the Indians on the scoreboard during the second inning with an RBI groundout.

El Reno added two more runs in the third – Costin delivered a run-scoring single that plated Palmer, and Glenn Wedman earned a free pass with the bases loaded.

Ferguson came through with a two-run single in the fourth that brought in both Epperson and Cole for El Reno’s final runs.

Dale, which had 13 players reach base on walks alone, scored one run each in the first and second innings, before following with four in the third and three more during the fifth.

The Indians collected five hits, compared to Dale’s four. Palmer and Deitrick had the only extra-base hits as each had doubles.

El Reno will play its home opener on Monday with a doubleheader against Oklahoma City. The first game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.