After a jam-packed week of baseball across the state, it’s only getting better with our first full week of high school ball this week, including the first district series’ of the season. With so many things happening, it can be tough to keep up, so make sure you check out our handy recap of the most important things that happened last week here.

Matchup of the week (College) – Rogers State vs Pittsburg State

Our matchup of the week takes us to Claremore, the home of the Rogers State Hillcats who many would consider the hottest team in the state right now. After a rough start to the year, going 0-2 at the Dugan Invitational, the Hillcats are an outstanding 13-2 since with a 5-1 record in conference matchups so far, good for a tie atop the MIAA standings. Sitting just behind the Hillcats are the Pittsburg State Gorillas who are on a hot streak of their own, fresh off a three-game sweep over conference foe Northwest Missouri State. This series serves as a crucial point in both squads’ seasons, with a series win pushing either squad into the fray as a real contender in the conference, while a series loss will be a big blow to the losing team’s standing in the conference.

Top Sooner State Showdown (College) – Central Oklahoma vs Oklahoma Baptist

Moving into our in-state matchup of the week, we’ve got another battle in the D2 ranks, this time between UCO and OBU. This Tuesday the two squads will play a doubleheader in Shawnee, and the games will serve as the second and third times the two have faced off this season. The first game of the series came on the opening weekend of the season at the Edmond First Pitch Classic and ended in a 6-3 victory for the hosting Bronchos, part of UCO’s 11-0 start to the year. Both squads aren’t far removed from their biggest wins of the season. UCO picked up a road run-rule top-3 victory over conference opponent Central Missouri. The Bison were able to avenge an earlier loss to top 15 Missouri Southern with a run-rule victory of their own just last week. However, this past weekend left a bad taste in both groups’ mouths, with both teams losing conference series’ to teams they’ll tell you they should have beaten. This marquee midweek matchup serves as a chance to show resiliency for both squads, something both squads have proven capable of in some capacity with big bounce-back wins earlier this season.

Where I’ll be this week – Sand Springs vs Norman North

With so many of the premier teams in the state around the Tulsa area, I’m always on the lookout for one of those teams to make their way down to the metro so I can see them in person. There are few teams with the potential of Sand Springs this season, as they return a bevy of talent, specifically on the mound, that has them positioned well to have an Enid-style breakthrough season after being on the cusp for a few years now. We’ll likely see Arizona State signee Eli Buxton take the mound for the Sandites, the third ASU signee in two years from the Sooner State, and we’re excited to see the jumps he made this winter as he heads into his first season as the Monday starter. Norman North comes into this season looking to return to their perennial state tournament contender status after what was a down season compared to the lofty standards they’ve earned through their recent success. The Timberwolves will look to junior Will Lunquist to spark the offense at the top of their lineup, something he was very successful in doing in their first game of the season, going 3-5 and scoring twice en route to a 7-1 victory over Midwest City.

Like this post? Leave your email in the box below and have SSBR content delivered directly to your inbox.