Prep Baseball Report

OSSAA 4A State Tournament Preview


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

It was a banner year for teams across 4A in 2022 with one of the strongest fields in this year's State Tournament that we have seen in years.  There are some big-time arms that should be taking the mound on Thursday with each team having an arm capable of beating anyone in the field.  PBR takes a deeper look into how each time got to this point as well as some players to keep an eye on throughout the week.  Games start at 11 am on Thursday with the entirety of the Tournament taking place at Shawnee High School with a champion being crowned at 5 o'clock on Saturday. 

Be sure to follow us on twitter @PBR_Oklahoma for updates from 4A and all the other State tournaments this week.

 

TUTTLE TIGERS

OVERALL RECORD: 34-8

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 3-1

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Tigers won their district with ease giving them a host spot where they took down Kingfisher 23-4, beat Ada 13-5, and then punched their ticket to the State Tournament with a 7-0 victory against Sulphur.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ty Chaddrick, OF/P, 2022, Eastern Oklahoma JC commit

Ashton Bennight, OF/LHP, 2023, Cowley CC commit

Braylon Brooks, SS/RHP, 2024, OSU commit

Alex Conover, UTL/RHP, 2023

Brady McAdoo, INF/RHP, 2025

Carsen Moore, INF/RHP, 2023

Spencer Carollo, C, 2022, Oklahoma Christian commit

Gunner Kerr, INF/RHP, 2022

 

Coach Draper's Tigers have been wire to wire one of the top teams in 4A all season long picking up 34 wins along the way.  They went 25-3 against 4A competition and also picked up some quality wins against higher level programs.  They have one of the more talented rosters in the state regardless of class and a ton of players that have a lot of experience.  Alex Conover has made a big jump both on the mound as the teams number one as well as in the box where he handles middle of the order duties.  Braylon Brooks is one of the more exciting players to watch with good skills with the bat and smooth actions at short stop.  They use Ty Chaddrick out of the leadoff spot to help jump start the offense and has experienced hitters such as Ashton Bennight, Carsen Moore, Gunner Kerr, and Spencer Carollo to help stretch the lineup.  They also boast one of the top freshman in the State with Brady McAdoo who is holding his own at the Varsity level.  They can go fairly deep on the mound with Conover, Moore, Kerr, Bennight, and Braylon Brooks all showing the ability to get outs throughout the year.  This week the Tigers need to let their talent and athleticism play up to their abilities and continue to get strong pitching and good defense for a chance at a Championship on Saturday.

 

FORT GIBSON TIGERS

OVERALL RECORD: 25-6

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 2-1

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Fort Gibson ran through their district undefeated claiming their right to host a regional where they swept right through Skiatook with a 10-0 win, taking down Holland Hall 4-0, and defeating Cushing 11-3 to punch their ticket into the State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Weston Rouse, LHP/INF, 2023, OSU commit

Wyatt Pierce, OF, 2024

Grant Edwards, INF/RHP, 2022

Jaxon Blunt, INF, 2022

Brody Rainbolt, INF/RHP, 2022

Cody Walkingstick, C, 2022

Cole Mahaney, INF/RHP, 2023

 

Coach Edwards' Tigers have been consistent winners all season racking up one of the best winning percentages in the State and dominating their 4A competition to a tune of a 17-1 record.  They are led by Weston Rouse on the mound as one of the top left-handed arms in the Country who has shown the ability to rack up strikeouts in a big way throughout the year.  They will also go to Cole Mahaney, Grant Edwards, and Brody Rainbolt for a majority of the outs on the mound with each guy showing the ability to pound the zone and miss bats as well.  Offensively they are paced by Wyatt Pierce out of the leadoff spot with Edwards right in front of him to provide a kick start to some of the more physical bats behind them with Rouse, Jaxon Blunt, and Brody Rainbolt.  They have shown the ability to defend at a high level as well as being one of the better small ball teams we have seen all year.  If they can continue to get high quality starting pitching and manufacture runs via the small ball, the Tigers have as good a shot as any to be on Top of 4A this Spring.

 

ELK CITY ELKS

OVERALL RECORD: 28-19

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 2-4

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Elks cruised to an undefeated district slate to host their regional where they swept right through with a 10-0 win against Mount St. Mary and a 10-0 victory against Lone Grove before winning a nail biting 6-5 game against Byng to punch their ticket into the State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kash Mayfield, LHP/OF, 2024, OSU commit

Drake Hughes, SS, 2022

Kaden Holder, OF, 2023

Corey Culver, 1B, 2022

Cooper Church, RHP/3B, 2023

Rylee Boyd, C, 2024

Matt Bales, P, 2022

 

Coach McClure's Elks had a consistent season of winning including a 21-3 record against other 4A teams and picking up 4 wins along the way between 5A and 6A programs.  They are led by Kash Mayfield on the mound as one of the better left-handed arms in the Country who knows how to miss bats and rack up strikeouts in a hurry.  They also use Cooper Church and Matt Bales on the bump for a majority of the outs giving them enough arms to make a run.  Offensively they are led by the talented senior shortstop Drake Hughes at the top of the order followed by Kaden Holder and Corey Culver providing a big chunk of the offense in the middle.  Riley Boyd has shown the ability to drive the ball in the gaps stretching the lineup even deeper.  With a Bonafide Ace in Mayfield and an older roster with experience, the Elks have to like their chances entering the State Tournament and if they can get good production out of the other arms on the staff they have a real chance at taking home the hardware on Saturday.

 

VERIDIGRIS CARDINALS

OVERALL RECORD: 30-4

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 2-1

HOW THEY GOT HERE: After finishing up District play with an unblemished record, the Cardinals hosted their regional where the bats came alive beating Broken Bow 13-0, Oolagah-Talala 15-5, and punching their ticket to the State Tournament with a 12-1 victory over Bristow.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jax Ryan, SS/RHP, 2023, OU commit

Luke Zaferes, OF, 2023

Brody Russell, OF, 2023

Logan Hall, RHP/INF, 2022

Reese Roller, RHP/INF, 2023

Evan Anderson, C, 2022

Odin Mcconnell, OF/RHP, 2022

Cody Bressie, 1B/RHP, 2022

 

Coach Keith's Cardinals are no stranger to the State Tournament and just missed hoisting the trophy last year with a loss in the Championship game.  This year's Cardinals have boasted one of the top winning percentages across the state with their 30 wins including a 17-1 record against other 4A programs and picking up a 4-1 record against 5A and 6A teams.  They boast a balanced roster with multiple guys that can beat you throughout the lineup starting with Jax Ryan.  Ryan has some of the best bat speed in the state and is a candidate to shoot an extra base hit at any time.  Luke Zaferes is one of the best opposite field hitters in the State and has had consistent at bats all season long.  Brody Russell gives them a presence from the left side of the plate and is also capable of an extra base hit each time out.  They are led by their catcher Evan Anderson who is a tough-nosed competitor and clear leader of this team.  On the mound they are paced by Cody Bressie who can also get it done with the bat in the middle of the order.  They have some pitching depth with guys like Logan Hall, Reese Roller, and Odin Mcconnell who are all capable of getting big outs when needed.  This roster has a bunch of guys who have seen a ton of success throughout their high school careers and will rely on that when they take the field hoping to win one more game than they did last year in this State Tournament.

 

PRYOR TIGERS

OVERALL RECORD: 29-12

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 1-0

HOW THEY GOT HERE: After winning their district with a 10-2 record, the Tigers hosted a regional that saw them beat a tough 4 seed in Hilldale 3-0 before beating Poteau 14-4.  They dropped their first chance at getting into the State Tournament with a 1-0 loss to Hilldale before coming right back and beating them 12-2 to get back into State Tournament play.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brody Ward, P/OF, 2023

Brunk Gray, INF, 2023

Si Collins, INF/RHP, 2023

Josh Gore, OF, 2022

Nate Silkey, C, 2022

Landon Desautell, INF/RHP, 2023

Blake Raglin, 3B/RHP, 2023

Aden Parker, INF/OF, 2023

Coach Osborne's Tigers saw success in their first year in 4A after dropping down from 5A and landed another trip to a State Tournament on the backs of a 29 win season that also saw them pick up 7 wins against 5A and 6A opponents.  They have a bunch of talented Juniors on the roster paced by Si Collins who handles the middle of the order duties as well as being used on the mound as a starter.  Brunk Gray, Brody Ward, and Aden Parker are all Juniors that carry a big load offensively as well with the two Seniors Josh Gore and Nate Silkey providing that senior leadership in the middle of the order.  They will also turn to Brody Ward, Landon Desautell, and Blake Raglin on the mound who have all shown the ability to pick up big outs throughout the year.  Last year they made a run in the 5A State Tournament and return a big chunk of that roster into this year's 4A Tournament giving them the experience advantage that they will need to rely on if they want to take home the hardware on Saturday.

 

BLANCHARD LIONS

OVERALL RECORD: 32-5

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 2-2

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Lions cruised through an undefeated District Slate and didn't slow down in their regional with the bats coming alive with a 14-1 win over Cache, and a sweep over Clinton winning 16-3 and 11-1 to send them to this week's State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brennan Milligan, INF/RHP, 2022, NOC Tonkawa commit

Jaxon Gless, C/RHP, 2022, OU commit

Kale Miller, SS/RHP, 2022, Cowley CC commit

Colyn McNair, INF/RHP, 2022, UCO commit

Cody Lemons, 1B, 2022, NOC Tonkawa commit

Aidan Kilgore, OF, 2024

Jaxon Heard, OF/RHP, 2025

Brayson Carter, OF, 2025

Coach Raney's Lions have one of the older and more talented rosters in this year's field mixed in with a group of exciting young talents to round out the lineup.  They dominated 4A this year with a 24-2 record including a 14-0 record in district play as well as taking down Owasso earlier in the year 8-3.  They are led by Jaxon Gless both on the mound and at the plate where the OU commit has some of the best power in the state.  Brennan Milligan is another talented two-way guy they rely on to leadoff as well as start on the mound.  Kale Miller is a talented shortstop with some power and they use him effectively out of the pen.  Colyn McNair will also two-way for the Lions and has shown the ability to throw strikes as well as hit the ball out of the yard.  Cody Lemons brings another physical aspect to the middle of the order.  Down the order is where the talented younger players land with Aidan Kilgore and the freshman duo of Jaxon Heard and Brayson Carter who brings electric speed to the lineup.  With this many talented upperclassmen and depth up and down the lineup, the Lions will need to continue to get good starting pitching as well as some clutch hits from some of their physical hitters in the lineup to call themselves champions at the end of the week.

 

LINCOLN CHRISTIAN BULLDOGS

OVERALL RECORD: 30-12

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 0-0

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Bulldogs went the harder route in their own regional after picking up an 11-1 victory against Perkins-Tryon before dropping a 7-9 contest to Sallisaw.  They stayed alive with another 11-1 victory against Perkins-Tryon and then picked up a sweep of Sallisaw beating them 13-3 before having to win in a walk off fashion on Monday afternoon winning Sallisaw 8-7 punching their ticket to the State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Luke Williams, OF/LHP, 2024, OU commit

Max Brown, INF/C, 2022, Florida Football commit

Preston Whitmarsh, INF/RHP, 2024

Tyler Johnson, OF/1B, 2023

Logan Farris, OF/P, 2022

Dylan Baldridge, OF/RHP, 2024

 

Coach Comfort's Bulldogs squad made the jump up into 4A and didn't miss a beat winning 30 games including a 19-3 record against 4A opponents and are battle tested with 7 games against 5A and 6A teams.  They have a good mix of speed and power throughout the lineup starting with Luke Williams who handles the top of the order as well as working as one the more talented left-handed arms in the State.  Max Brown has a good combination of both speed and power that they rely on to provide a big chunk of the offense in the middle of the order.  Preston Whitmarsh is another young player that handles the load of playing shortstop as well as being relied upon to pick up big outs on the mound.  Logan Farris will also see his name called on the mound showing the ability to navigate a lineup.  Tyler Johnson provides a physical presence in the middle of the order and the Bulldogs got a big boost with the talented sophomore Dylan Baldridge rejoining the lineup after injury.  The Bulldogs have the star power to make a run this week and will need their impact players to step up in crucial spots throughout the week.

 

MARLOW OUTLAWS

OVERALL RECORD: 30-8

RECORD AGAINST STATE OPPONENTS: 0-1

HOW THEY GOT HERE: After sweeping through District play the Outlaws got a host spot in the regionals where they dominated featuring an opening 13-0 win against Chickasha then sweeping Newcastle twice winning 11-4 and 8-1 to land a spot in the State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brennan Morgan, RHP/INF, 2022, OU commit

Kole Seeley, OF/LHP, 2022

Will Bergner, SS, 2022

Cooper Smith, INF/P, 2023

Avery Payne, INF, 2023

Mason Holding, P, 2024

Jace Gilbert, INF, 2022

Cade Gilbert, INF/OF, 2024

 

Coach Morgan's Outlaws cruised through their 4A competition with a record of 18-1 and also saw them handle some of the State's best with wins over a talented Stillwater squad and Class B's champion Roff.  The Outlaws are led by the two-way talent in Brennan Morgan who is called upon to lead on both the mound where he has proven to miss bats as well as being a physical presence in the middle of the order.  Mason Holding, Cooper Smith, and Kole Seeley have also played big roles on the mound throughout the year and will be needed to make a run at the title.  Offensively they start at the top with Seeley and senior Will Bergner to set the table for Morgan, Cooper Smith, Avery Payne, and Jace Gilbert stretching the lineup for one of the deeper 1-9's in the tournament.  They have shown the ability to put up runs in bunches this season scoring at least ten runs in 16 of their game throughout the season and will need to keep the bats rolling to make a run at that Title.

 

STATE TOURNAMENT COVERAGE