Prep Baseball Report

OSSAA 6A State Tournament Preview


Scott Hood
OK/MO/KS/ARK Assistant Scouting Director

The 6A field is set and is loaded with top talent up and down the bracket.  Each team in 6A this year had to really earn their right to play in this week's State Tournament after we saw some of the most parity across the 6A level in years.  PBR takes a look at how each team got here, their record against the other 6A State Tournament opponents, players to watch, an overview of the matchup between the two teams, as well as a look the keys that each team needs to focus on to make it past the first round.

Be sure to follow us on twitter @PBR_Oklahoma for all 6A State Tournament coverage.

 

DEER CREEK VS JENKS

DEER CREEK ANTLERS

OVERALL RECORD: 30-10

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 6-3

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Antlers cruised through their Regional this past week with an easy 15-0 victory over Capitol Hill then sweeping a surging Yukon 5-0 and 13-3 to punch their ticket to the State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Taylor Tomlin, OF, 2023, Houston Commit

Duncan Key, C, 2022, NEO JC commit

Brett McComas, UTL/RHP, 2022, Cowley commit

Ashton Hartwig, OF, 2024, Uncommitted

Brett Pense, UTL/RHP, 2022, UCO signee

William Brady Hamilton, INF/RHP, 2023, Uncommitted

Miles Lock, INF, 2022, NOC Enid commit

 

JENKS TROJANS

OVERALL RECORD: 34-6

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 4-2

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Trojans are the one of three teams that had to make it to the State Tournament on the road and quickly disposed of Tahlequah 10-0 before winning two tight battles against the Regional host Union by scores of 3-1 and 2-0.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jack James, LHP, 2022, Eastern Oklahoma State JC commit

Chandler Fowler, RHP/INF, 2023, Uncommitted

Jaxon McAuliff, RHP/INF, 2022, Uncommitted

Ty Walls, SS/RHP, 2023, Uncommitted

Logan Tibbett, C/RHP, 2023, Uncommitted

Blake Lamb, RHP/OF, 2023, Uncommitted

Tanner Primeaux, 1B, 2024, Uncommitted

Korben Sponsler, RHP, 2022, Bacone College commit

 

THE MATCHUP

Both teams met up back in late March at the BA/Jenks Festival with Deer Creek winning this one 9-1 thanks to a big 6 run inning early in the ball game.  We expect this one to be played much tighter with both teams having big-time arms at their disposal.  Both teams feature deep lineups with strong defense as well as arms that have proven to miss bats throughout the year.  

KEYS FOR DEER CREEK

For the Antlers to move on past the first round against Jenks they need to play a very high level of defense.  The Trojans lineup as a knack for putting the ball in play and has good athletes up and down the lineup so making every routine play will be crucial for them to limit damage.  Another key will be getting the leadoff man on base as much as possible.  With Jenks' ability to pitch and defend at a high level it is critical for the Antlers to keep as much pressure on them and try and scratch runs across by manufacturing their offense.

KEYS FOR JENKS

For the Trojans to come away with their opening round game against Deer Creek they have to continue to pitch and defend at a high level.  The Antlers have multiple guys stretched 1-9 that can beat you at any time so limiting the big will be critical for a victory.  The Trojans will also need some of their middle of the order guys to continue to step up and deliver with the Walls and Fowler at the top putting pressure on the defense by getting on base.  

 

EDMOND MEMORIAL VS OWASSO

EDMOND MEMORIAL BULLDOGS

OVERALL RECORD: 27-11

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 4-3

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The road for the Bulldogs to the State Tournament wasn't the easiest route after beating Moore 9-0 then having to take on one of the best offenses in the State in Choctaw beating them 8-5 before dropping their first chance at a State Tournament 4-9.  They then came back and walked off Choctaw 5-4 to get their ticket to this week's field.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Parker Coil, LHP/1B, 2022, Arkansas Signee

Noah Kang, SS, 2022, OU Signee

Owen Tracy, UTL/RHP, 2022, NOC Enid Signee

Brock Coleman, OF/LHP, 2022, Uncommitted

Josh Errico, INF, 2023, Uncommitted

Garrett Baker, RHP, 2024, Uncommitted

Ethan Fritts, RHP/INF, 2023, Uncommitted

 

OWASSO RAMS

OVERALL RECORD: 30-8

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 1-2

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Rams got one of the tougher draws as a Regional host landing the dangerous Stillwater offense.  They quickly took care of Muskogee 12-0 with ease before entering a back and forth battle with Stillwater that saw multiple lead changes and ties before walking them off in the 11th inning.  They came back the next day and the offense exploded for a 15-2 victory and sending them back to the State Tournament

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brennan Phillips, LHP/OF, 2022, Oklahoma State commit

Jackson Farrell, LHP, 2024, Uncommitted

JT Davis, RHP, 2024, Uncommitted

Jackson Smith, 1B, 2022, Eastern Oklahoma State JC commit

Solo Skalnik, OF, 2022, Eastern Oklahoma State JC commit

Noah Smallwood, SS, 2022, Crowder CC commit

Branden Floyd, 3B, 2023, Uncommitted

Kyndon Lovell, LHP, 2022, Arkansas Commit

Braydon Sanford, RHP, 2023, Uncommitted

 

THE MATCHUP

These two teams will be playing each other for the first time in 2022 giving us no indication of which way it will lean.  We don't know what exactly the pitching matchup will be but if both teams run out their number one then it could be one of the better displays of high-end left-handed pitching across the country.  Both teams have shown the ability to win close games in the playoffs with a ton on the line and should be very evenly matched heading into Thursday's opening round game.

KEYS FOR EDMOND MEMORIAL

The number one key for the Bulldogs to move onto the second run will be to limit the amount of free bases.  Owasso has a very patient lineup that will take their walks to go along with a couple of bats in the order that can leave the yard at any time making the limiting the amount of extra runners on the bases is crucial.  They will also need a big lift from some of their bigger performing bats such as Noah Kang, Parker Coil, and Owen Tracy to pick up some key hits in big spots.

KEYS FOR OWASSO

The biggest key for the Rams heading into Thursday's matchup is going to be limiting the amount of strikeouts at the plate and try to force Edmond Memorial to pitch with guys on base.  The Bulldogs have numerous guys on their staff that can miss bats at a high level and Owasso will need to continue to play for big innings that they have been doing over the past couple of weeks.  We know whoever Owasso starts in the opener will get their fair share of strikeouts, but infield defense has to be on point to make it further in the State Tournament.

 

BIXBY VS WESTMOORE

BIXBY SPARTANS

OVERALL RECORD: 33-7

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 7-1

HOW THEY GOT HERE: By virtue of winning their District the Spartans got to host a regional that saw them cruise through a 3-game sweep winning against US Grant 8-0 before beating Bartlesville 12-0 and then punching their ticket to the State Tournament with 16-2 win over Broken Arrow.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Max Knight, LHP/OF, 2023, Oklahoma State commit

Cooper Moore, C/RHP, 2023, Kansas commit

Cole Abbott, RHP, 2022, Cowley County commit

Nate Murphy, C/3B/RHP, 2023, Kansas State commit

Owen Bailor, 1B/LHP, 2023, Uncommitted

Jack Williams, OF/RHP, 2023, Uncommitted

Kaden Wright, RHP, 2022, Seminole State College commit

Jake Wolfinbarger, INF, 2023, Uncommitted

Connor Kirby, OF, 2023, Uncommitted

 

WESTMOORE JAGUARS

OVERALL RECORD: 29-11

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 1-5

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Jaguars put their backs against the wall early in their home Regional after winning their first game against Lawton 10-0 before dropping a game to Mustang 3-7.   They bounced back and beat Putnam City 10-0 before having to pull off a clean sweep of Mustang winning 3-1 and then 14-7 to make their way into the 6A State Tournament Field.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jackson Black, INF, 2023, Uncommitted

Gage Geiger, OF, 2024, Uncommitted

Zane Chavez, INF, 2022, Uncommitted

Connor Cavnar, C, 2024, Uncommitted

Holden Woods, RHP, 2023, Uncommitted

 

THE MATCHUP

These two teams will be meeting for the first time in 2022 in this opening round matchup.  It's a classic matchup of a power-loaded lineup in Bixby vs a scrappy run generating lineup in Westmoore playing to drastically different styles.  Both teams have players that have had big moments individually throughout the Spring and should be an exciting matchup.

KEYS FOR BIXBY

The ultimate key for Bixby in moving forward into the second round is to get a quality start on the mound.  The pitching has been very good down the stretch but has had times this year where they have struggled to throw strikes and need to limit the extra base runners.  Westmoore has multiple guys that can beat you especially in the middle of the order that the Spartans are going to have to contain to make it to the next round.

KEYS FOR WESTMOORE

The Jaguars are going to have to limit the big inning from the Spartans and play defense at a high level to make it past the first round.  The Spartans have multiple guys that can leave the yard at any time so limiting base runners is going to be crucial.  They will also need some of their big-time bats in the middle of the order to have productive days to scratch a couple runs across to make it to the second round.

 

ENID VS EDMOND SANTA FE

ENID PLAINSMEN

OVERALL RECORD: 25-9

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 1-3

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Plainsmen had to go on the road for their Regional where they took care of Ponca City 10-0 then swept the host Sand Springs 3-1 and then winning an extra innings to make it to the State Tournament for the first time since 2009.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Garrett Shull, SS, 2024, Oklahoma State commit

Seth Carlson, OF,RHP, 2024, Uncommitted

Jake Kennedy, RHP/INF, 2023, Uncommitted

Aydan Voitik, C/OF, 2022, NOC Enid commit

Mccage Hartling, C/INF, 2024, Uncommitted

 

EDMOND SANTA FE WOLVES

OVERALL RECORD: 29-11

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 3-3

HOW THEY GOT HERE: By way of winning their District the Wolves got to host their Regional last week cruising through their first game beating Northwest Classen 16-0 then beating Norman North 11-4.  They then dropped their first chance to make it to State losing to cross-town rival Edmond North 3-6 before beating them 16-6 and head back to the State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Drew Qualls, OF/RHP, 2022, Highland CC commit

Logan Lunceford, RHP/INF, 2022, Missouri commit

Kade Shatwell, RHP/INF, 2022 Oklahoma State commit

Devin Mitchell, OF/RHP, 2023, Tarleton State commit

Blake Seefeldt, INF/RHP, 2022, Rose State JC commit

Carson Brumbaugh, INF, 2025, Uncommitted

 

THE MATCHUP

These two teams will be meeting for the first time in 2022 giving us no indication of where this one might go.  Both teams have starting pitching that can give offenses trouble with Edmond Santa Fe with more of the power arm type guys and Enid using more movement to miss barrels.  This matchup also features some of the more productive hitters in the State in the middle of their lineups.

KEYS FOR ENID

The Plainsmen will need the guys around Garrett Shull to step up and put more pressure on Santa Fe so they can't pitch around him.  They will also need to use their movement and sink to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible as the Wolves have multiple guys that can split a gap in a hurry.  The infield defense will need to be on point as well as the pitching needs to pound the zone in order to move on into the next round.

KEYS FOR EDMOND SANTA FE

The Wolves will need to be in control over their swings and try not to do too much with the amount of movement and sink the Enid pitchers have.  They need to limit the hitters around Garrett Shull to make him hit as many times as possible with nobody on base.  Enid's offense is built around putting the ball in play and forcing you to beat them so getting the leadoff hitter out in each inning will be critical for the Wolves to moving on the State Tournament.

 

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