The 5A field is set in one of the strongest fields we've seen from 5A top to bottom.  There are some real juicy matchups on day 1 with multiple teams having the type of frontline starters that can handle the opposing lineups and some intriguing hitters scattered throughout the field.  We take a look at each team's record against the field, their journey to the State Tournament, a couple of players on each team to key in on, and an overall look at each team's resume and chances headed into the week.

CARL ALBERT TITANS vs SAPULPA CHIEFTAINS

CARL ALBERT TITANS

OVERALL RECORD: 34-6

RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD: 5-2

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Titans swept their way through 5A-1 going 14-0 earning their right to host last week.  They ran into very little resistance, winning game one against John Marshall 18-0 before sweeping Altus 10-0 and 21-2 to punch their ticket to try and repeat as 5A State Champions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kash Ferris, 2024, RHP, OSU commit

Tanner Norman, 2024, 1B, Murray State JC commit

Declan Murphy, 2025, INF/RHP, Uncommitted

Samuel Gonzalez, 2024, INF/RHP, Connor State commit

Mister Randle, 2024, INF, Mid America Christian commit

Hutch Russell, 2024, INF, Seminole State commit

Easton Perkins, 2024, UTL, Uncommitted

Mason Avery, 2026, RHP, Uncommitted

Coach Whiteley and the Titans are on the path for a repeat from last year’s 5A State Championship bringing back a lot of the pieces that led them to the title.  Arguably the deepest pitching staff in all of 5A, they can turn to their Ace Kash Ferris, accomplished junior Declan Murphy, and the rising sophomore Mason Avery who have all proven themselves against some of the state’s best lineups.  They could not come into the state tournament any hotter without dropping a game since April 5th winning their last 21 games.  Offensively they are built to beat you in multiple ways but their main calling card is their ability to drive the baseball for extra base hits.  Murphy has had a strong season with the bat along with Gonzalez each showing big extra base power.  Hutch Russell has been a mainstay in the lineup and producing in a big way his whole career for the Titans and Norman has worked his way back into the lineup after missing the beginning of the season due to injury to provide a big left-handed power bat presence to the middle of the order.  With their starting pitching and knack for putting up big numbers offensively, their recipe for winning games can be a real problem for their opponents and should be considered amongst the betting favorites to dogpile on Saturday.

SAPULPA CHIEFTAINS

OVERALL RECORD: 27-10

RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD: 1-6

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Chieftains finished in second in 5A-4 with a district record of 11-3 to earn the opportunity to host this past weekend.  It was a clean sweep through the regional starting with a 16-1 win over Nathan Hale before sweeping a strong Claremore program 12-1 and 6-2 to punch their ticket back into the state tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Braxton Jones, 2024, RHP, Uncommitted

Malachi Wilson, 2024, 1B, Uncommitted

Jack Blevins, 2024, UTL/RHP, Connors State commit

Bryson Donnell, 2026, OF, Uncommitted

Caiden Widdoes, 2025, OF, Uncommitted

Kason Ashton, 2025, INF, Uncommitted

Peter Shibley, 2024, INF, Carl Albert State commit

Coach Irvine and the Chieftains put together a strong resume throughout the 2024 campaign to earn their trip back to the State Tournament picking up 6 wins against 6A teams to add to their 27 total victories.  Their toughness shows when you watch them play, getting the most out of their abilities on both sides of the ball and a roster that has a few guys with a lot of starting experience over the years.  Braxton Jones has the type of arm talent that can neutralize even the best lineups with a strong three pitch mix.  Offensively, they can be a tough team to put away with multiple bats having a barrel controlled swing mixed in with some power bats in the middle with Wilson and Blevins.  They entered Regionals losing 4 out of their last 5 games but handled a strong Claremore program in back to back games regaining some of the momentum that they had earlier in the season.  The Chieftains have put together some big wins against teams like Broken Arrow, Norman North, and Sand Springs showing the ability to play with just about anyone in the state giving them a true puncher’s chance in this week’s field.

COLLINSVILLE CARDINALS vs ELGIN OWLS

COLLINSVILLE CARDINALS

OVERALL RECORD: 30-4

RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD: 2-1

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Collinsville took the top spot in 5A-3 with an 11-1 District record earning their host last weekend.  Mother nature would have other plans for the Cardinals having to shift their regional over to McAlester but that didn’t seem to bother them, beating Memorial 19-1 before sweeping through McAlester 11-1 and 5-2 to earn another trip to the 5A State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

JT Davis, 2024, RHP, Johnson County commit

Colton Hollenbeck, 2024, C, Ranger College commit

Bentley Brown, 2025, MIF, Uncommitted

Carson Duncan, 2024, MIF, Uncommitted

Madaxon Aunko, 2024, OF/P, Texas Wesleyan commit

JJ Burwell, 2025, RHP, Uncommitted

Coach Reeder and the Cardinals put together a 17-2 record since April 1st and become one of the few programs across the state to get to the 30 win mark.  The main calling card for one Coach Reeder’s teams is they are always seemingly prepared to play and compete with a lot of energy.  Offensively, they have a strong mix of the ability to play the small ball game effectively as one of the better bunting teams we’ve scouted this spring and a couple bats in the middle of the order like Hollenbeck that have proven the ability to drive in runs.  Defensively, they play strong defense in the infield led by the slick fielding Bentley Brown and do a solid job to limit the free bases.  On the mound, they are led by JT Davis who has big game experience already under his belt pitching Owasso to a State Title in 2022 and getting the nod in a closely fought loss to eventual Carl Albert in the opener of the 5A State Tournament.  Davis has the type of arm that can rack up strikeouts in a hurry and generally does a great job of limiting his pitch count to work deep into games.  For the Cardinals to move on they will need Davis to be at the top of his game as well as get guys on base ahead of Hollenbeck to deliver the offensive output it’s going to take to advance.

ELGIN OWLS

OVERALL RECORD: 29-7

RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD: 3-1

HOW THEY GOT HERE: After finishing 12-2 in District 5A-2, the Owls earned their opportunity to host last weekend and took the long way to the State Tournament.  The easily dispatched of Western Heights 18-0 before dropping their winner’s bracket game 10-0 to Guthrie.  They would take care of Santa Fe South 9-0 before sweeping Guthrie 3-0 and 10-0 to head back to the State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tres Lorah, 2025, RHP, Uncommitted

James Vanderpool, 2024, 1B/P, Uncommitted

Mason Thornton, 2026, OF/P, Uncommitted

Brody Morrison, 2026, INF, Uncommitted

Ritson Meyer, 2026, UTL, Uncommitted

Grady Thomas, 2025, C/P, Uncommitted

Jaxon Southerland, 2027, UTL/P, Uncommitted

Coach Garrett and the Owls have proven themselves from the very beginning of the 2024 campaign with multiple victories over state title contenders in multiple classes with a roster that is largely younger than their opponents.  They made the state tournament last year on the backs of underclassmen and will rely on that experience gained to try and take another step this week.  They have multiple options on the mound that they can turn to with Lorah as a strong pitchability guy, Meyer, Thornton, and Thomas providing depth, and could even look to the freshman Southerland who is coming off a no-hitter in a game that kept their season alive last week.  They have the depth to turn to multiple arms in any sign of trouble with each guy being able control a lineup.  Offensively, they have weapons that are scattered throughout the lineup with Thornton and Morrison at the top of the order and Meyer and Vanderpool providing the thump in the middle.  The Owls are a tough-minded team that have been battle-tested with a tough schedule and if the defense can hold up, they should be one of the tougher outs in the 5A field.

NOBLE BEARS vs TAHLEQUAH TIGERS

NOBLE BEARS

OVERALL RECORD: 23-19

RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD: 1-4

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Bears finished 5A-1 with a second place finish via the tie breaker with Guthrie at 11-3 to earn a host spot last week.  They begin their regional with an 11-1 victory over Southeast before dropping their winner’s bracket game against Midwest City 4-1.  They would advance onto the Regional final defeating Guymon before sweeping Midwest City 9-4 and 4-1 to make it a return trip to the 5A State Tournament. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bryson Carey, 2025, OF/P, Uncommitted

Jackson Steely, 2026, UTL, Uncommitted

Trevor Hand, 2024, C, Uncommitted

Weston Randolph, 2026, INF/P, Uncommitted

Colten Williams, 2025, INF/P, Uncommitted

Trent Shortes, 2026, INF/P, Uncommitted

Coach Hughes and the Noble Bears had some mixed results throughout the 2024 campaign albeit with a fairly tough schedule.  All of that doesn’t matter this week as they showed the type of fight it takes to advance this time of year with their backs against the wall and winning three in a row to punch their ticket to this week’s field.  A scrappy roster that relies on a plethora of underclassmen in key spots, they will look to these young to continue to step up to try and advance throughout the week.  Carey gets it going at the top of the order with a slasher type offensive player that finds his way on base.  Then typically they will rely on the sophomores Randloph and Steely in the 2-3 spot with the senior Hand providing the punch in the middle of the order.  Randolph has made himself their go-to guy on the mound and had a tough luck start in the Regional where he took the loss while only allowing one hit.  They can turn to a couple other arms that have logged big innings down the stretch in Shortes who came up clutch out of the pen last week and Colten Williams working deep into the game in the Regional clincher.  While the Bears might be on the younger side of the field, their toughness and fight shown last week paired with their natural scrappiness could make them a tough out this week.

TAHLEQUAH TIGERS

OVERALL RECORD: 23-11

RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD: 4-2

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Tigers took the crown in District 5A-4 with an impressive 13-1 record including finishing ahead of two other members represented in this week’s tournament.  Their first place finish gave them a home host last week where they were met with little resistance sweeping their way through with a 10-0 win against Booker T Washington and sweeping Durant 9-2 and and 10-0 to punch their ticket to the State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Beckett Robinson, 2025, OF, Uncommitted

Levi Kelly, 2025, INF/P, Uncommitted

Chance Pair, 2024, C, Frontier CC commit

Cutter Girdner, 2026, INF, Uncommitted

Brayden Northington, 2024, P/INF, Uncommitted

Rylan Eagle, 2026, INF, Uncommitted

Coach Pair has done an excellent job in his first year in Tahlequah getting the Tigers to a District title and playing some of the best baseball down the stretch entering the postseason.  They enter this week’s tournament on a 7 game winning streak and the pitching staff has stepped up allowing only 2.1 runs during that time and the offense averaging 7.1 runs.  The 1-2 punch on the mound between the ultra competitive Kelly and the steady and experienced senior in Northington gives Coach Pair some options on who he wants to turn to in the opener.  Both have been workhorses throughout the season and have played a large role in their success throughout the year.  Offensively it starts with the athletic and speedy Cutter Girdner setting the table and using his speed to cause havoc on the basepaths.  Chance Pair has provided a much needed steady presence at the top of the lineup with strength at contact from both sides of the plate ahead of the very talented prospect Beckett Robinson in the three hole. When we caught the Tigers later in the season, they impressed with their composure in a tight game with the District title on the line and showed to be one of the better defending teams at key spots in the middle of the diamond.  They’ve shown their ability to play at a high level and with their hot streak as of late, we won’t be surprised to see them make some noise this week.

DUNCAN DEMONS vs COWETA TIGERS

DUNCAN DEMONS

OVERALL RECORD: 31-8

RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD: 3-1

HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Demons came on top of 5A-2 with a District record of 13-1 earning their host spot last week.  They would easily sweep through their Regional, outscoring their opponents 44-3 with a 21-0 win over US Grant and sweeping EL Reno 10-0 and 13-3 to head back to the 5A State Tournament.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chago Barham, 2024, INF, Cowley County Commit

Eli Ramirez, 2025, UTL/P, OU commit

Preston Giles, 2025, OF, Uncommitted

Jeffry Cross, 2024, INF/P, Uncommitted

Jayce Ramirez, 2026, INF/P, Uncommitted

Brisco Smith, 2025, INF/P, Uncommitted

Jackson Poage, 2025, C/INF, Uncommitted

Bentley Seeberger, 2027, UTL/P, Uncommitted

Coach Smith and Demons spent the entire season in our Power 25 picking up big wins all season but showing their toughness by coming back from a 1-0 loss to Elgin in the first game of their District series before picking up the 3-4 win to take the District title.  They have some scary pieces in the lineup with the ultra athletic utilityman in Eli Ramirez and arguably one of the more feared hitters by opposing pitchers across the state in Chago Barham.  The lineup stretches with production from prospects like Giles, Cross and Brisco Smith.  They will also use the threat of the stolen base to their advantage where they are not afraid to challenge the opposing defense.  On the mound they can turn to the Ramirez brothers as well as Smith who have each given them strong outings throughout the year.  Eli Ramirez has worked around a few nagging injuries this year but when healthy his raw arm strength can really take over a game.  The Demons aren’t too far removed from their State Title back in 2022 and they have the pieces to potentially put their flag on top of the 5A field again in 2024.

COWETA TIGERS

OVERALL RECORD: 29-9

RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD: 2-4

HOW THEY GOT HERE:  The Tigers are the only team in 5A that had to make their way into the tournament via the road where they dominated to a 3-0 record picking up an 11-0 win against Will Rogers, a 5-1 win over host Pryor, and finally punching their ticket with a 10-0 victory of Del City.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Conor Taylor, 2024, INF/P, Uncommitted

Jackson Plyler, 2025, OF, Uncommitted

Conner Barnett, 2024, INF/P, Uncommitted

Hunter Dehues, 2025, C/P, Uncommitted

Roscoe Gay, 2024, INF, Uncommitted

Kaden Dollar, 2024, INF, National Park College commit

Landon Fisher, 2026, OF/P, Uncommitted

Coach Stookey and Tigers made their way into the field via the road and showed the type of toughness throughout the year going 6-2 in one run games throughout the 2024 campaign.  The first thing that comes to mind when looking at the Tigers is the amount of size they have when they come off the bus.  The roster is loaded with big and physical guys especially in the middle of the lineup that have the strength to change the game with one swing.  Conner Barnett, Hunter DeHues, and Kaden Dollar are physical bats in the middle of the order with each guys having advanced hand strength at contact.  Conor Taylor has been the key cog both at the top of the lineup as well as taking the ball on Monday nights where he has limited offenses all season long.  They can also turn to Barnett on the mound as well as Hunter DeHues and Landon Fisher who have turned in quality outings as of late.  The Tigers have the type of senior leadership it takes to make a deep run in a State Tournament and they have proven themselves to handle close games in big spots making them one of the more interesting teams heading into the tournament this week.

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