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: Preston Pirates

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Classification: 2A

Fall 2024 Results: 19-7 (State Quarterfinalist)

Spring 2025 Results: 25-6 (Class 2A-1 State Semifinalist)

Head Coach: Ryan Hudson

Head coaching experience: 11 years (all at Preston)

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Top Returners

• Kaden Dean (SR), OF/P: .551 AVG, HR, 43 RBI, 11 2B, 4 3B, 20 SB; 4-0, 1.58 ERA, 17.2 IP, 41 K
• Hunter McElhannon (SR), UTL/P: .382 AVG, HR, 20 RBI, 5 2B, 3 3B, 16 SB; 7-1, 1.82 ERA, 30.2 IP, 46 K
• Jace Basquez (JR), INF/P: .328 AVG, 18 RBI, 3 2B, 2 3B; 3-1, 2.42 ERA, 14.1 IP, 28 K
• Pepper Gallup (JR), 1B/P: .338 AVG, 25 RBI, 4 2B, 3B; 3-1, 1.52 ERA, 23 IP, 38 K
• Weston Cope (SO), 1B/3B: .344 ERA, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 4 2B, 3B
• Braxton Clarkson (JR), DH/OF: .424 ERA, 9 RBI

Top Newcomers

• Karson Herbert (JR): pitched in state tournament last year, will be counted on for bigger role
• Rickey Hinson (SO): great defense in outfield
• Bryce McNac (SR): utility player; high baseball IQ
• Nick Costanza (JR): middle infielder with multiple tools; impact player
• Peyton Fjeldsted (JR): good power; solid at catcher
• Tyler Stevenson (SR): high average hitter with speed

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Outlook

Preston has quietly been one of the best teams in 2A the last few years. Last year they went a combined 44-13 in Fall and Spring with 2 state tournament appearances.

Head coach, Ryan Hudson, likes the experience on this year’s squad with 5 straight state tournament appearances (Fall and Spring combined). The Pirates did lose 3 key players to graduation, but Hudson says they “did gain 4 new players that will make an immediate impact for (them).”

Hudson also likes the pitching staff saying, “Our top 3 arms will give us a shot against anyone.” He goes on to say that Preston should be deeper offensively than they have in the past.

With the new players coming in, there will some adjustments to be made early. Hudson likes how the guys are hungry and ready to compete.

If the Pirates can put all the pieces together, don’t be surprised to see them get over the hump of the state semifinals and play for a state championship in October.

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Schedule

• Aug 11 – at Cameron
• 14-16 – Dale Invitational
• 18 – Dale
• 21-23 – Oktaha Tournament
• 25 – Porum
• 28-30 – Preston Tournament
• Sept 2 – Glencoe
• 4-6 – Cameron Tournament
• 9 – Tulsa NOAH
• 11 – at Stonewall
• 12 – at Frontier/Blair
• 15 – at Ripley
• 18 – Varnum
• 19 – at AmPo/Ft Cobb-Broxton
• 22 – Moss
• 25 – Riverside/Stuart
• 26 – OK Christian Academy
• 29 – Red Oak
• Oct 2-3 – Regionals
• 9-11 – State Tournament

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