Union Regional Preview
May 4, 2022
UNION REDHAWKS
OVERALL RECORD: 23-12
DISTRICT RECORD: 11-3
POWER 25 WINS: 8
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Avery Ortiz, INF, 2023, Oklahoma State Commit
Tatum Hayworth, RHP/INF, 2023, Uncommitted
Gage Arthur, OF, 2023, Uncommitted
Grayson Tempest, 2023, Uncommitted
Brody Briggs, C, 2023, Arizona State Commit
TJ King, 1B/RHP, 2023, Uncommitted
Hudson Birch, RHP, 2022, Carl Albert State commit
Parker Patterson, OF, 2022, Uncommitted
Coach Newkirk's Union squad might have a new name but the winning at a consistent level remains a constant. The Redhawks aren't built on their athletic lineup 1-9 with some of the best speed and base running the State has to offer. They are led offensively by Avery Ortiz and his 16 home runs he has belted this year along with a numerous double. He's backed up offensively by the super athletic Grayson Tempest and Gage Arthur who has been swinging the bat at high level the second half of the season. Parker Patterson has made another jump with the bat providing some physicality in the lineup as well as Brody Briggs really starting to make some noise offensively the past couple of weeks. On the mound Tatum Hayworth is emerging as one of the best Ace's in the State thanks to his mid to upper 80's fastball and power curveball. TJ King has also been pitching at a higher level in the past couple of outings as well as Hudson Birch giving Union some options on the mound heading into regional play. They have had to do some reshuffling around the diamond defensively after losing their 4 year starting SS Jadyn Mcnealy to injury and his 42 stolen bases on the season will be missed. That being said the Redhawks have a good amount of positional versatility that can recoup some of those losses and will need to play defense at a high level to make another run into the State Tournament.
JENKS TROJANS
OVERALL RECORD: 31-6
DISTRICT RECORD: 11-3
POWER 25 WINS: 6
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jack James, LHP, 2022, Eastern Oklahoma State JC commit
Chandler Fowler, RHP/INF, 2023, Uncommitted
Jaxon McAuliff, RHP/INF, 2022, Uncommitted
Ty Walls, SS/RHP, 2023, Uncommitted
Logan Tibbett, C/RHP, 2023, Uncommitted
Blake Lamb, RHP/OF, 2023, Uncommitted
Tanner Primeaux, 1B, 2024, Uncommitted
Korben Sponsler, RHP, 2022, Bacone College commit
Coach Timmerman led the 2021 Trojans to a remarkable run in the State Tournament and capturing the State Championship on the backs of Brooks Fowler and a group of skilled by unproven younger players. Now those players are heavily experienced and playing at a very high-level reaching a tie for the most overall wins in the State at 31 across all levels. Their Championship could not have been won without the work of Jack James on the mound in the semi-finals and he has turned himself into one of the top Aces in the state. Korben Sponsler has been used effectively in multiple roles on the staff and they can turn to a plethora of arms in Chandler Fowler, Jaxon McAulliff, Ty Walls, and Blake Lamb to take the ball in critical spots. Those arms are also the leaders on the offensive side along with they good production they have been getting out of Logan Tibbett and Tanner Primeaux making them one of the more complete teams in the State. These players have been in critical spots in their careers already with taking home the hardware last season and if they can continue to get good starting pitching and timely hitting they have a chance at a repeat in 2022.
TAHLEQUAH TIGERS
OVERALL RECORD: 10-23
DISTRICT RECORD: 3-12
POWER 25 WINS: 1
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Levi Kelly, INF/P, 2025, Uncommitted
Beckett Robinson, OF, 2025, Uncommitted
Jacob Morrison, OF, 2024, Uncommitted
Brayden Northington, UTL/P, 2024, Uncommitted
Tyler Joice, C, 2022, Uncommitted
Coach Sam Nelson's first season with the Tigers has had some mixed results in the win/loss column but they are not a team to be sleeping on. They have played a ton of close games throughout the year and even took down the number one ranked team Bixby earlier in the season. They roll out one of the youngest lineups in the State with numerous freshman and sophomores getting it done at high level early in their careers. Levi Kelly has shown the ability to attack good hitters and miss bats as well as some quality outings out of Brayden Northington. Beckett Robinson has taken over the three hole spot as a freshman and has shown the ability to collect hits in bunches. Tyler Joice provides a veteran presence in the lineup as one of the State's top hitters. The Tigers have a very bright future with this young roster gaining valuable experience at the Varsity level and could play spoiler in this regional if taken too lightly.
PUTNAM CITY NORTH PANTHERS
OVERALL RECORD: 8-27
DISTRICT RECORD: 3-11
POWER 25 WINS: 0
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chris Wall, LHP/OF, 2022, Uncommitted
Landon Fonzi, OF/RHP, 2023, Uncommitted
Farris Shawareb, 1B, 2022, Uncommitted
Coach Moore's Panthers have had a bit of a tough season in the win/loss column but does have an older roster to rely on in the postseason. They have 9 seniors on the roster and the rest is made up mostly of juniors giving them some experience to fall back on. Chris Wall is a quality arm that when is around the zone and proven to be effective of getting off the barrel. They have Landon Fonzi who has good bat speed from the left side of the plate that can also jump on the mound and provide some pitching depth. Farris Shawareb is a physical presence in the middle of the order and is relied upon for a majority of the run production.
OSSAA POSTSEASON COVERAGE
- OK Choctaw Regional Preview 5/04/22
- OK Deer Creek Regional Preview 5/04/22
- OK Westmoore Regional Preview 5/04/22
- OK Edmond Santa Fe Regional Preview 5/04/22
- OK Owasso Regional Preview 5/04/22
- OK Sand Springs Regional Preview 5/04/22
- OK Bixby Regional Preview 5/04/22
- OK Union Regional Preview 5/04/22