April 7, 2020 Issue, Page 12 of 12

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The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Saturday, March 7, 2020 Top, Matt Janning, one of the owners of Janning Welding in Elk City, watches as employees Connor Savage and Tim Mayfield work on the new fence at Red Rock Stadium. Right, Elk City players Bryler Nichols, left, and Cale Brooks warm up by playing catch one day last week. Be- low, the new fence at Red Rock Stadium. Staff photos by Don Munsch. Elks head into season with new field, fencing By Don Munsch, Editor around 385 feet for hitters, tical at first, but since we’ve said there was an adjustment There are six players in bas- Mayfield said. “I’m anxious When batters swing for the as opposed to the 444 feet been on it, I think they all re- going from dirt to synthetic ketball who will join the to get started. I know they fences at Red Rock Stadium that prevented most deep fly ally like it,” Mayfield said. turf. team now that boys basket- are, because they keep talk- this year, they will have an balls from exiting the park. “T like turf. I think it’s easy “Now that we have turf, ball is over: Drake Hughes ing about it.” easier time getting the ball The alleys will be 360 feet, on your joints. I like natu- now that we are used to it, and Corey Culver, who are to go out — at least to center said Elk City High School ral grass, but ... I think it’s it’s a lot smoother and it feels sophomores, and then four The Elks will compete in field. baseball coach Monty May- a big thing for our kids and a lot better,” Brooks said. freshmen: Cooper Church, a district with Woodward, And those outfielders field. Down the line distanc- really all the other kids com- The Elks, who finished Austin Jones, Cooper Patton Clinton, Anadarko, Weath- chasing after deep files will es in left and right will still ing through, even the young 14-17 last season, will have and Kye Keyes. Most of the erford, Bethany, Bishop Mc- be running over new grass. be 335 feet. ones coming up.” four returning starters this freshmen will be on the ju- Guinness and Harding Prep. The stadium got anew look Mayfield said pulling in He said there are no ma- season: centerfielder Addi- nior varsity, which consists Brooks and Lowrance are this year, with new synthetic the fences has been dis- jor issues with the new turf, son DeLeon, shortstop Cale mostly of freshmen, May- turf being installed over the cussed for years. other than how a ball can Brooks, second baseman field said. excited about the season. last few months. The first “{ think once we decided bounce over a fielder’s head Bryler Nichols and third “I’m excited to get start- “The past few years, we’ve Elk City High School varsity to go ahead and do the turf, in the gaps in the outfield if baseman Caden Culver. Vi- ed, and I know the kids are, gone to regionals, and that’s baseball game was Monday they just went ahead and the fielder doesn’t play the cente Arvizu will be desig- too,” Mayfield said. “Some what we're hoping for,” at Red Rock Stadium. [The did it altogether,” he said. “I ball right and the ball has nated hitter, Kasen Moran of them have been out there Lowrance said, “I really do Elks lost 8-2 to Bethany.] don’t think any single person some height. will man first base. Kelby working since late October, Money from the Community made the decision really. I “It’s real exciting — there Lowrance will be behind the so I know they’re eager to think if we stick together and Action Project Plans paid for think that was just something aren’t a whole lot of teams in plate as the catcher. get started.” we play the way we can play, the new synthetic turf. Do- that was already on people’s the state that have anything Other outfielders are Matt He thinks the team will be we can get there if not fur- nations paid for the fence, minds when they decided to as nice,” ECHS catcher Bales, Mason Smith and disciplined enough that the ther.” which stretches from right turf, They said we might as Kelby Lowrance said about Mason Price. Elks will be able to get play- Brooks said players need center to left center and rests well go ahead do the fence the new field. “To be able to On the mound for Elk City ers on base and move run- to know their roles and know in front ofthe red brick wall. with it.” play on something like this, will be Caden Culver, Addi- ners around, As for the center field Mayfield loves the field especially our senior year, is son DeLeon, Mason Smith, “| think this is a good what type of the team they fence, a new fence has been and players enjoy it as well. awesome.” Bryler Nichols, Matt Bales group because they all listen, are “instead of trying to be constructed, which is now “A few of them were skep- Shortstop Cale Brooks and likely Cale Brooks. they’re all eager to learn,” be what we want to be.” OU baseball: Oklahoma’s youth starting to pay dividends By Tyler Palmateer, The ing out nine to earn the win. "Tred, we've talked quite a Tuesday. Extra frames It was hard to argue with Norman Transcript, Okla. "Bennett set the tone ear- few times. He helps me with "It's a step-by-step process --Still in line: Ben Abram OU's decision with Jake NORMAN - College came ly," OU coach Skip Johnson staying back on the ball. Ty- for every freshman, because was a regular midweek start- Bennett as a starter after his at Peyton Graham fast. said. "I don't think he missed ler Hardman, him being a you put them in an environ- er a year ago, but has made no-hit performance through Literally. a target in the first inning.” junior and showing me the ment and it gets big," John- just one start this season. four innings. Speed is what the Oklaho- Freshman _centerfielder way to go has helped. son said. "They play fast The sophomore is healthy, Abram threw two innings ma freshman third baseman Connor Beichler joined Pet- "For me, it's picking the and you have to slow them OU coach Skip Johnson of relief, allowing two hits. had to compensate for after tis as a starter. Those two, right pitches to swing at. down. We talk about slowing confirmed after Wednesday's He has not been moved to moving from his old posi- plus Graham, have added Because I knowI get a little it down, but it's still going to 13-2 victory over Arkansas- a reliever role permanently, tion at shortstop. athleticism to the offense jumpy." speed up on those guys.’ Pine Bluff. Johnson said. "The ball gets to you a just as Johnson hoped. OU signed Pettis out of little bit quicker," Graham Graham and Pettis have Chicago, an area not com- said, "but I mean, I've kind contributed toward the monly associated ~— with offigured it out now." Sooners' more efficient plate Sooner baseball recruiting. Defensively, Graham has attack so far this season, Assistant coach Clay Over- made a smooth transition entering Wednesday hitting cash pinpointed him as a while appearing in all 14 better than .300. They went target through connections games for the 15th-ranked a combined 3 for 9 with an made during his long tenure Sooners this season, includ- RBI against the Golden Li- as a Major League Baseball ing Wednesday's 13-2 rout ons. scout for the White Sox. over Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Last weekend, Pettis and Pettis and Graham were L. Dale Mitchell Park. Graham each recorded their hailed as potentially big ad- He's immediately helped first collegiate home runs at ditions to the Sooners’ bat- by filling the gap at third Minute Maid Park during ting order, and not just with base left by three-year start- the Shriners College Classic. their bats. Graham has tal- er Brylie Ware, now with the Pettis' triple against Ar- lied six stolen bases in seven St. Louis Cardinals system. kansas-Pine Bluff -- OU's attempts, part of OU's stolen Graham took time adjust- eighth this season -- came 22 bases as a team through ing offensively at first, but against two strikes got the 14 games -- just seven fewer has since gained traction. So Sooners off to a 3-0 lead in than all of last year com- has another freshman, left the first inning. bined. fielder Kendall Pettis, who He's leaned on Jordan Vu- Pettis hasn't been a main- is fighting to crack OU's jovich, Tanner Tredaway stay in the batting order, but lineup. and Tyler Hardman for hit- if that changes, his speed They were part of four ting tips. will be a useful tool. The freshmen starters for the "Vu has been really help- Sooners have shown signs Sooners on Wednesday. ful because he's really out-of improvement as a bunting Left-handed pitcher Jake spoken. He really talks to team, getting runners aboard The Merritt Oilerettes beat Hollis and earn a spot in the area tournament. Bennett (2-0) stole the show, me when I need to slow safely that way three times facing 12 batters and strik- things down." Pettis said. against Dallas Baotist on Photo submitted.