It is that time of season and we have finally reached the State Tournament and congratulations to all the teams that have made it back to the state tournament. Follow along as I preview the State Tournament matchups and hear from the coaches as they give their thoughts. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be at Oklahoma Christian University and the state championship will be at Shawnee High School.
Salina vs Community Christian
Thursday at 11:00am
Last Appearance: Salina (Third consecutive since 2022) Community Christian (First in school history)
Salina’s road to state
Salina started their playoffs with wins over Atoka 15-1 and Roland 7-0 and 10-0, Defeated Lincoln Christian 7-1 and 10-0 to advance to the state tournament.
We are led by two seniors Conner Johnson ORU commit, and Maverick Williamson Neosho county commit.. they have been a great 1-2 punch for us on the mound. We have tried to play a tough schedule to get ready for a tough 3A field. 3A is one of the deepest classes in the state and we are looking forward to the challenge of a highly talented field. Our starters are junior Catcher Cody wheeler, junior 3rd baseman Micah Richard, freshman, SS Cooper Hooker, Sophomore second base Eli Swarer, Junior left fielder Jyce Glass, Junior centerfielder Teagan Byrd, Sophomore right fielder Jaron Bailey, Junior pitchers Deagen Pickup and Elijah Gardner play a big role as well. We are have the upmost respect for our opponents and we are excited about getting another opportunity to play in the prestigious state tournament said Salina coach Matt Simmons.
Community Christian’s road to state
Community Christian started their playoffs with wins over Henryetta 13-10 and Crossings Christian 14-4 and 10-0 in regionals, Defeated Bethel 9-1 and 3-2 to advance to the state tournament.
I would say that just kind of from where everything started since I got here about seven years ago, I came from Capitol Hill High School, which spent four years there, you know, came out of pro ball and, and just obviously went into. There was somebody at my church who was the principal at Capitol Hill and they said hey, you want to coach here Well, I ended up coaching there for four years and that’s just that’s a good ministry And then CCS has been a great ministry for me it’s about reaching hearts for for Christ and I know that when I got there seven years ago at CCS, I realized that it was maybe a different venue than Capitol Hill but it still had some of the same issues that I saw Capitol Hill just teenagers needing direction Even though it was a christian school, There was a whole lot of what I saw coming in with the potential even the first year reaching regionals and then going year after year and this particular group that we have, It’s been a very low drama locker room, A lot of guys pulling for each other, A lot of love for one another and how they encourage each other on and off the field and they really just love being at the field. As the season unfolded, We knew we had goals at the beginning of the year to reach the state tournament but we know that it’s come with a lot of hard work and a lot of preparation and by God’s grace we’re here and so the anticipation of that has been there all year and this team has felt like hey we think we could be the number one or number two in the district and obviously we fell to Heritage Hall but split with them and then we were awarded the regional and that was just an amazing time doing that at home to host a regional and then to win it and to end Crossings season which Crossings has ended our seasons in several different years that I’ve been a part of this program and so that felt good to do that and then the rankings came out and trying to figure out where we would go for area if we would be in the top eight and it’s really interesting you get a chance to see how all the coaches vote and how everybody views you and to be able to, I respect all the coaches that are in the system and had really good conversations with them and we end up ten and we have to go play Bethel and manage this. Coach Dearing’s a great coach and we had great words with each other as after the game was over and before the game even started. But it just means so much to me that we play with a lot of class and play the game the right way and that these boys have worked hard and I’m super proud of them said Community Christian coach Mike Hinckley
Perry vs Heritage Hall
Thursday at 1:30pm
Perry’s road to state
Perry started their playoffs with wins over Holdenville 10-1 and Chandler 4-2 and 12-2, Defeated Victory Christian 4-2 and 10-1 to advance to the state tournament.
It’s been an exciting couple of weeks. We thought we had a pretty good group going into the season. We started strong. We were fortunate to stay healthy all spring. Our guys bought in to the process and embraced it and continually competed on a daily basis said Perry coach Brett Bouher.
Heritage Hall’s road to state
Heritage Hall started their playoffs with wins over Lindsay 12-2 and Chisholm 11-1 twice, Defeated Idabel 11-0 and 15-4 to advance to the state tournament.
It’s a great group led by five seniors, three of which who have tremendous amount of state tournament experience they’ve made it four out of the four years they’ve been in high school, one winning it as a freshman, coming up short to sophomore and junior year in the quarterfinals and it’s just been one of those years where we’ve told our team and our motto is find a way, find a way to get back to the state tournament and give us another chance to make that run. It’s been exciting, It’s been a fast year but the work ethic that these young men have shown on a daily basis and to keep the pace going and give themselves a chance to go back to the state tournament said Heritage Hall coach Xavier Freeman.
Washington vs Silo
Thursday at 4:00pm
Last Appearance: Washington (Third consecutive since 2022) Silo (22nd consecutive since 2002)
Washington’s road to state
Washington started their playoffs with wins over Star Spencer 19-0 and Kellyville 14-0 and 2-1, Defeated Cascia Hall 11-1 and 11-10 to advance to the state tournament.
As far as our road to the State Tourney, I thought our bats came alive with some kids in the lower half of our order which allowed our run support to go up ! We have been very solid for the most part pitching defensively all season! The anticipation of being in our 3rd straight has been exciting ! Our program has been truly blessed and as long as we see it that way , it should always be exciting! This years 3A field has some very talented teams with some good arms ! It’s a very deep field and we will have to play our best baseball each day to advance! said Washington coach Jeff Kulbeth.
Silo’s road to state
Silo started their playoffs with wins over Kiefer 1-0 and Spiro 10-0 and 11-0, Defeated Oklahoma Christian School 7-1 and 12-3 to advance to the state tournament.
Lone Grove vs Mount St. Mary
Thursday at 6:30pm
Last Appearance: Lone Grove (Second consecutive) Mount St. Mary (First since 1989)
Lone Grove’s road to state
Lone Grove started their playoffs with wins over Casady 11-0 and Prague 4-0 and 15-1, Defeated Valliant 3-2 and 3-0 to advance to the state tournament.
Mount St. Mary’s road to state
Mount St. Mary started their playoffs with wins over Millwood 25-0 and Lexington 14-0 and 23-4, Defeated Kansas 5-2 and 9-1 to advance to the state tournament.
This kids and assistant coaches are special. This is first team to go to state from Mount since 1989. This is special because this trip to state started 3 years ago when we started 5 sophomores and a freshman. That group had to battle through some really tough and difficult experiences but they also responded by setting new and higher standards for our program every single year. These kids deserve all the credit for battling through those tough times and becoming that first Mount team in 34 years to go to state tournament said Mount St. Mary coach Kevin Winterrowd.
The OKPreps Rundown 
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