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OSSAA Team Preview: Union Redhawks

February 28, 2024
Scott Hood and Max Fisher
Oklahoma Staff

Team: Union Redhawks
2023 Record: 32-8
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Shawn Newkirk
Years at the Helm: 18

Total Runs: 254/106

Average Runs: 6.35/2.67

Average Differential: 3.7

Outlook:

The Redhawks spent a good chunk of the 2023 season as our number one ranked team in the Power 25 with a loaded roster of athletes.  They have more holes to fill than some of their district counterparts with the graduation of Avery Ortiz, Brodie Briggs, Tatum Hayworth, TJ King, and Grayson Tempest.  Filling those gaps in 2024, the Redhawks will look for a couple returning starters and a strong group of younger newcomers to the Varsity squad to compete in one of the toughest districts in the state.  The one thing they have coming back and what has been a staple of the Union program is a ton of team speed and high end defenders all over the field.  They play very strong defense in both the infield and in the outfield while needing to fill the large void left with the graduation of Briggs.  The staff has plenty of strike throwers on the roster that will make you beat them which should be a strong recipe for how they like to play.

Impact Players:

Dylan Baldridge, 2024, UTL/RHP, Murray State JC commit


Baldridge has had a ton of experience competing at the Varsity level as a regular starter at Lincoln Christian the past couple of years.  He transferred this past summer over to Union and should take on a prominent role both in run production as well as logging some innings on the mound.  Baldridge has sneaky pop at the plate and has shown strong enough athleticism to play almost anywhere on the diamond.  Look for Baldridge to be a mainstay in the middle of the Redhawks order as their biggest power bat.

 

Camden Knutson, 2024, MIF/RHP, NOC Tonkawa commit

 

The 2-way prospect proved his ability to handle the bat at the varsity level in 2023 as well as defend at a high level up the middle.  Knutson uses a levered swing to generate a gap to gap approach with strong balance.  Where he might see his most impact this year might be his work on the mound where he works a mid 80’s fastball and feel for spinning the breaking ball to get off the barrel.  Knutson came on late as one of the more trusted arms on the staff and should see his role increase heading into 2024.

Gamaliel Jones, 2024, OF, Angelo State commit

Jones cracked into the lineup last year in a crowded outfield group thanks to his game changing swing and ability to handle the bat at the top of the lineup.  When Jones is right, he works the middle of the field effectively and can handle the short game giving defenses fits in how to play him.  He can cover a ton of ground in the outfield and will be relied upon to step up his offensive output in 2024.

Ben Flusche, 2024, OF, Uncommitted

Flusche returns to the lineup after spending a large part of the 2023 season in the middle of the Redhawks order.  Flusche has a knack for hitting good pitching and handling the fastball working the ball to all fields effectively.  He also adds in some above average defense in right field for the Redhawks.  Flusche has spent his time on the varsity level protecting other hitters in the lineup and will be relied upon in 2023 to be one of the main contributors offensively.



Players To Watch:

Alexander Woods, 2024, UTL/RHP, Uncommitted

Cody Young, 2026, MIF, Uncommitted

Zacary Oliver, 2026, MIF, Uncommitted

Asher Fowler, 2026, OF, Uncommitted

Armando Gomez, 2024, RHP, Uncommitted

Carson Brooks, 2026, C/RHP, Uncommitted

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