OK Spring Preview: Sapulpa Chieftains

The Oklahoma high school baseball season kicks off on March 2nd, opening day for regular season action under Ossaa regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2020 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Oklahoma Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

If you would like your team covered, please have your head coach email us at [email protected]

Our 2020 preseason coverage continues today with a loot at the Sapulpa Chieftains.

Team: Sapulpa Chieftains
2019 Record: 21-18
OSSAA Class: 6A
Head Coach: Steven Irvine
Playoff Run: Beat out in Broken Arrow Regional Final
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 7

TOP PLAYERS

Gage Williams, C, 2020, 5' 10", 185, R/R  signed with Wichita State
Christopher Jones RHP, 2020, 6' 1" 180 R/R signed with Rose State
Andrew Merrihew LHP, 2020, 6' 2" 180 L/L signed with Labette
Kaiden Ashton OF, 2022, 5' 8" 175 L/R led team in hitting last year as freshman
Evan Casey, IF, 2021, 5' 9" 150 R/R 2-year returning starter moving to shortstop.

OUTLOOK

Sapulpa will look to build on last year to make a run at the 6A state tournament. They will rely on a wealth of depth and experience from returns on the mound and in the box with several 3-year starters return for their senior campaigns. The depth will have the biggest impact on the mound as they lack a high-end 90+ frontline arm this year.