The Summer break is almost over and schools in Oklahoma will begin the 2025-2026 school soon. That also means that it is almost time for the 2025 High School Fall season to start.
The season officially opens on Monday, August 11 (or sooner if both schools are already in session). For the next few weeks, we will be previewing several teams as they look forward to the season.
Recently, SSBR sent out questionnaires to the head coaches of the schools playing baseball this Fall. We asked about their returning players, top players, strengths/weaknesses, and their overall assessment of where their teams are and could be.
Today’s team: Dale Pirates
Classification: 2A
Fall 2024 Results: 27-6 (State Runner Up)
Spring 2025 Results: 28-5 (State Quarterfinalist)
Head Coach: Cody Merrell
Head coaching experience: 7th year (1st at Dale)
Top Returners
- AJ Carpenter (SR), 1B/RHP: .361 AVG, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 26 R
- Briar Turman (JR), RHP: 7-0, 42 IP, 20 BB, 49 K
- Braylon White (JR), INF: .330 AVG, 22 RBI, 26 R
- Denton Forsythe (SR), CF/RHP: .362 AVG, 16 RBI, 13 R, 17 SB
- Chase Harris (JR), INF/RHP: .427 AVG, 10 R
Top Newcomers
- Cruz Garrett (SO), INF/RHP: talented player who will help on the mound and the plate; has ability to make the game look easy
- Elvis Edwards (SR), INF/RHP: stepped in and works hard; great leader in the infield; athletic switch hitter who will help offense go
Outlook
The Pirates will have a new head coach for the 2nd time in 3 years as Cody Merrell takes over the Dale program. Merrell comes over after 6 years at Norman High.
Just because there is a new coach, doesn’t mean there are different expectations. Dale is consistently one of the top programs in the state at any level. They have 11 state championships in both the Fall and the Spring. They have 38 state tournament appearances in the Fall including including all but one year since 1998. They also have 41n state tournament appearances in the Spring including every year since 1993.
Coming into the Fall, the Pirates look to be one of the top teams in 2A again. They have a solid core returning and a ton of postseason experience. Coach Merrell also likes the overall talent on this team especially with the depth on the pitching staff. He likes the competitive nature of the team and is excited to see this team play.
As long as the Pirates continue to get better and stay consistent, don’t be surprised to see Dale have a say in who wins it all in 2A.
Schedule
- Aug 12 – Stuart
- 14-16 – Dale Invitational
- 18 – at Preston
- 19 – Okarche
- 22 – at Ft Cobb-Broxton/Canute
- 25-26 – Calumet Festival
- 28-Sept 1 – Hydro-Eakly Labor Day Tournament
- 4-5 – Asher Festival
- 8 – Drummond
- 11-13 – AmPo/Okarche Tournament
- 16 – Ft Cobb-Broxton
- 18-19 – AmPo Festival
- 22 – Varnum
- 23 – Oktaha
- 25 – Byng
- 29 – at Ripley
- Oct 2-4 – Regionals
- 6 – Asher
- 9-11 – State Tournament
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