It’s hard to believe that the 2024 Fall Baseball Season is almost upon us, but that is the case as August 12 is the official start of the regular season.

Here at Sooner State Baseball Report it is our goal to provide as much coverage as we can. One way we are trying to do that is preview as many teams as we can before the start of the season.

We’ve sent out a questionnaire to many of the teams that play fall ball in hope that they will give us an honest outlook on their upcoming season. We’ve had a few responses so far.

Today’s team: Latta Panthers

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Class: 2A

Fall 2023 Record: 16-14

Spring 2024 Record: 23-9 (Class 2A State Tournament Qualifier)

Head Coach: Dillon Atkinson

Head Coaching Experience: 6 years (5 at Latta)

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Returning Starters and Top Players

The Panthers will be returning 5-6 starters from a team that reached the Class 2A State Tournament last Spring.

Reese Littlefield is a guy that does so much for Latta. He hits in the heart of the order and the Panthers “rely on him to drive in runs and be a catalyst for the offense.” He is a strong CF and will be leaned on to pitch big games.

Behind the plate will be 3 year starter, Landon Fortner. According to Head Coach, Dillon Atkinson, Fortner is a “coach on the field.” He is a strong defender who is expected to produce offensively.

Darien Miller is a “powerful hitter who will drive in a lot of runs this fall.” Miller is also a “good arm who always gives the Panthers a chance to win” when he pitches.

Another pitcher who gives the Panthers a chance to win every game he pitches in is Gestin Pollard. He’s also a “smooth infielder” who will be taking over at shortstop.

Jonah Boyington is a “fierce competitor who will do whatever is needed to help the team.” The Panthers expect Boyington to be a “force in the middle of the lineup” and he will also pitch “valuable innings” for Latta.

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Outlook

After a Fall 2023 season that saw the Panthers lose a lot of close games, Latta started winning some of those close games and made it to the Class 2A State Tournament in the Spring.

The Panthers return all but one of their pitchers from last year so the depth of the pitching staff is a major plus for Latta. They also have outstanding defense behind those pitchers they will lean on.

Latta will have a “handful” of new faces in the program this year that they will have to rely on to produce offensively.

If the Panthers can get all of this meshed together, an appearance (and possibly more) in the newly formed Class 2A this Fall is more than a possibility.

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Schedule

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