Purcell’s Dragon baseball squad is off to a quick 3-0 start pocketing victories over McLoud, 19-9 and 5-3 and Bridge Creek 11-6.

In the opener at McLoud, Connor Lund, Bryce Blair and Brody Walkup all blasted home runs. Walkup and Blair both finished with a trio of  RBIs in the contest. Cash Cook, Walkup, Blair, Cooper Selman and Izak Auz all went 2-4 at the plate.

Kash Knowles picked up the pitching victory, striking out five hitters. Preston Kane tossed one inning of relief while Cook pitched an 1 2/3 innings.

Purcell out-hit the Redskins 13-4.

In the second outing against McLoud the Dragons had to fight back from a 3-2 deficit pushing across three runs in the bottom of the fifth to post the 5-3 victory.

Blair and Walkup combined to scatter seven hits.

Auz and Blair both had doubles in game while Knowles and Selman both tripled. Auz and Selman the RBI parade with two apiece.

The Dragons scored six runs in their half of the fourth inning to post an 11-6 victory over Bridge Creek.

Cook went 3-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs to help his pitching cause. He struck out five in three innings of work. Kane tossed three innings with Knowles throwing the final frame.

Seniors that graduated off last year’s 18-15 season were Brayden Reinhold, Boston Knowles and Parker Page.

Returning starters we have coming back will be senior Deaken Dobbins who will be a utility guy.

“He will be a filler kinda’ player,” Sharp said. “Whom ever is pitching, Deaken will fill in that spot and will also pitch.”

Junior Kash Knowles will play shortstop, second and pitch for us,” the coach said.

Another returning starter is junior Cash Cook who will play shortstop and some outfield and pitch.

Junior Brody Walkup will pitch and play the hot corner and some outfield. Junior Selman will anchor the outfield, playing center field.

Sharp said others who will battle for playing time include junior Preston Kane at first base and pitch. Bryce Blair will spend time at first base and pitch.

“Another is Carter Bennett who will pitch and play outfield,” Sharp continued. Sophomore Cannan Haynes will man right field and see some pitching duties. Sophomore Jace Klein will see some time in the  outfield and do some pitching, Sharp confirmed.

The coach said freshmen who will see playing time include Layton Percy and Izak Auz will be handling some of the catching duties and do some pitching.

The Season Outlook:

“I am very excited for this year’s team,” Sharp said. “We will move into a new district. that includes state tournament teams like Tuttle and Bethany, Sulphur and Pauls Valley, but we are up to the challenge.

“We bring back a lot of guys that have played a lot of baseball from last year and bring in some younger players that will compete with the older guys.

“Some of the strengths will be our defense and pitching. I believe that both will be a key to have a successful year,” he said.

Also, our speed will be another key strength,” Sharp confirmed. “We will have a lot of guys that will be able to play multiple positions.  The kids have been working hard in the offseason and are ready to get out on the baseball field to compete,” he concluded.