Oklahoma

KSR's 2025 SEC Baseball Preview: Oklahoma

Published

1 year ago

January 24, 2025

KSR's 2025 SEC Baseball Preview: Oklahoma

With the 2025 College Baseball season just around the corner, KSR will be previewing all 15 SEC teams that will be competing with Kentucky for an SEC crown this season. Up next; the Oklahoma Sooners.

The 2025 season will mark the first in the SEC for both Oklahoma and Texas. The Sooners, who compiled a 40-21 (23-7) record in 2024, won the Big 12 Regular Season Championship in their final season in the conference. They fell to rival Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament Finals.

Oklahoma brings a prestigious program to the nation’s premier baseball conference. The Sooners have made the NCAA Tournament 16 times since 2000, including two Men’s College World Series appearances (2010 and 2022) with a runner-up finish in 2022. Head coach Skip Johnson is about to embark on his seventh season as head man in Norman, compiling a 229-153 (85-65) record in that span.

The Sooners, who were left out of D1Baseball’s Preseason Top 25 Rankings, were listed as a Preseason Top 25 outsider.

Returning Players:

Jr. C Easton Carmichael (2024: 61 G, .366 AVG, 19 2B, 7 HR, 64 RBI, .563 SLG%, .406 OBP%)
So. INF Jaxon Willits (2024: 57 G, .268 AVG, 11 2B, 10 HR, 39 RBI, .484 SLG%, .376 OBP%)
Sr. C Scott Mudler (2024: 47 G, .279 AVG, 6 2B, 4 HR, 31 RBI, .401 SLG%, .367 OBP%)
So. INF/OF Jason Walk (2024: 42 G, .281 AVG, 4 2B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, .414 SLG%, .376 OBP%)
So. OF Dasan Harris (2024: 6 G, .167 AVG, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .167 SLG%, .167 OBP%)

Jr. RHP Kyson Witherspoon (2024: 17 APP, 11 GS, 8-3, 3.71 ERA, 80 IP, 90 K, 40 BB, .228 B/AVG)
Gr. LHP Grant Stevens (2024: 18 APP, 9 GS, 6-1, 4.28 ERA, 54 2/3 IP, 54 K, 20 BB, .291 B/AVG)
Sr. LHP James Hitt (2024: 17 APP, 7 GS, 2-4, 8.41 ERA, 35 1/3 IP, 32 K, 14 BB, .333 B/AVG)
Sr. RHP Dylan Crooks (2024: 25 APP, 0 GS, 1-0, 4.11 ERA, 30 2/3 IP, 20 K, 3 BB, .256 B/AVG)
Jr. RHP Malachi Witherspoon (2024: 21 APP, 0 GS, 2-2, 5.64 ERA, 22 1/3 IP, 29 K, 10 BB, .256 B/AVG)
Sr. RHP Reid Hensley (2024: 17 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 3.21 ERA, 14 IP, 22 K, 10 BB, .170 B/AVG)
So. RHP Jacob Gholston (2024: 2 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 108.00 ERA, 1/3 IP, 0 K, 4 BB, .000 B/AVG)

Departing Players:

R-Sr. INF Michael Snyder (2024: 61 G, .354 AVG, 26 2B, 11 HR, 59 RBI, .638 SLG%, .465 OBP% – 10th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
R-Sr. INF Kendall Pettis (2024: 60 G, .276 AVG, 8 2B, 4 HR, 34 RBI, .398 SLG%, .398 OBP% – Graduated)
Jr. INF Jackson Nicklaus (2024: 57 G, .303 AVG, 9 2B, 10 HR, 37 RBI, .533 SLG%, .429 OBP% – 17th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
Sr. OF Bryce Madron (2024: 55 G, .318 AVG, 19 2B, 12 HR, 53 RBI, .607 SLG%, .439 OBP% – 10th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
Sr. INF Anthony Mackenzie (2024: 54 G, .291 AVG, 10 2B, 7 HR, 44 RBI, .453 SLG%, .407 OBP% – Graduated)
Jr. OF John Spikerman (2024: 42 G, .367 AVG, 12 2B, 3 HR, 32 RBI, .542 SLG%, .429 OBP% – 3rd Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
Fr. INF Isaiah Lane (2024: 26 G, .321 AVG, 2 2B, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .396 SLG%, .464 OBP% – Transfer Portal)
So. UTIL Rocco Garza-Gongora (2024: 23 G, .224 AVG, 2 2B, 0 HR, 11 RBI, .259 SLG%, .338 OBP% – Transferred to Texas State)
Jr. OF Carter Frederick (2024: 13 G, .343 AVG, 1 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .543 SLG%, .400 OBP% – 20th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
So. INF Patrick Engskov (2024: 8 G, .111 AVG, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, .111 SLG%, .273 OBP% – Transferred to Arkansas State)

Jr. LHP Braden Davis (2024: 16 APP, 16 GS, 9-4, 4.30 ERA, 92 IP, 117 K, 41 BB, .208 B/AVG – 5th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
Sr. LHP Carter Campbell (2024: 28 APP, 1 GS, 4-1, 5.64 ERA, 44 2/3 IP, 35 K, 20 BB, .263 B/AVG – Graduated)
Sr. RHP Carson Atwood (2024: 26 APP, 4 GS, 1-2, 3.96 ERA, 36 1/3 IP, 30 K, 14 BB, .229 B/AVG – Graduated)
R-Jr. RHP Brendan Girton (2024: 16 APP, 10 GS, 0-1, 7.32 ERA, 35 2/3 IP, 47 K, 31 BB, .297 B/AVG – 10th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
Sr. RHP Jett Lodes (2024: 17 APP, 1 GS, 2-1, 4.80 ERA, 30 IP, 31 K, 17 BB, .200 B/AVG – Graduated)
Jr. RHP Ryan Lambert (2024: 23 APP, 0 GS, 4-0, 2.57 ERA, 21 IP, 19 K, 12 BB, .184 B/AVG – 8th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
Sr. RHP Will Carsten (2024: 13 APP, 2 GS, 0-1, 8.66 ERA, 17 2/3 IP, 12 K, 12 BB, .347 B/AVG – Graduated)
Jr. LHP Jace Miner (2024: 13 APP, 0 GS, 1-1, 4.50 ERA, 10 IP, 12 K, 7 BB, .289 B/AVG – Transferred to Wichita State)
Fr. RHP Brad Pruett (2024: 10 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 7.71 ERA, 7 IP, 9 K, 4 BB, .300 B/AVG – Transferred to East Carolina)
R-Jr. RHP Jason Bollman (2024: 3 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 4.80 ERA, 1 2/3 IP, 4 K, 5 BB, .375 B/AVG)
Jr. RHP Myles Meyer (2024: 1 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1/3 IP, 1 K, 2 BB, .500 B/AVG – Transfer Portal)

Incoming Transfers:

Jr. INF/OF Brayden Horton (2024: 48 G, .265 AVG, 6 2B, 11 HR, 39 RBI, .506 SLG%, .397 OBP% – Transferred from Liberty)

So. LHP Cam Johnson (2024: 13 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 12.00 ERA, 9 IP, 13 K, 16 BB, .167 B/AVG – Transferred from LSU)
So. RHP Jason Bodin (2024: 2 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 K, 3 BB, .200 B/AVG – Transferred from Texas A&M)

Oklahoma had eight players selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, including five offensive players and three pitchers. Coach Skip Johnson’s team however returns major contributors from last year’s NCAA Tournament team, including 2024 Third Team All-American junior catcher Easton Carmichael, 2024 Perfect Game Midseason All-American junior right-handed pitcher Kyson Witherspoon, and 2024 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention sophomore shortstop Jaxon Willitts.

Kyson’s brother, junior right-handed pitcher Malachi Witherspoon, returns as well. The Witherspoon’s totaled 38 appearances, 11 starts, 102 /13 innings, and a 4.14 ERA last season.

The Sooners will rely heavily on returning players and incoming freshman, as they brought in just three players from the Transfer Portal. Junior outfielder Brayden Horton, who a Third Team All-ASUN selection in 2023, could be a great addition in Norman. He’ll look to bounce back this season however, as his batting average dropped 76 points from 2023 to 2024.

Oklahoma is scheduled to face five SEC teams present in D1Baseball’s Preseason Top 25 Rankings this season (No. 3 LSU, at No. 8 Georgia, No. 16 Vanderbilt, No. 18 Mississippi State, No. 19 Texas). Four of these five series will be played at Oklahoma’s L. Dale Mitchell Park.

Kentucky, which has never faced Oklahoma before, will host the Sooners at Kentucky Proud Park on the weekend of May 9-11. Along with Oklahoma, the Cats will also host newcomer Texas the weekend of April 11-13.

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Related Topics:Featured Kentucky Baseball Kentucky Wildcats (Lexington ky Ok Oklahoma Sooners (Norman

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma City apartment complex catches fire, forcing evacuations

Published

2 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

OKLAHOMA CITY –

Firefighters responded after an apartment complex caught fire Friday morning in northwest Oklahoma City, authorities say.

The Oklahoma City Fire Department says crews responded to the Retreat at Lakeside Apartments near Northwest 50th Street and North MacArthur Boulevard just before 4 a.m.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke coming from a first-floor apartment and discovered heavy fire in a bedroom located at the rear corner of the unit. Crews evacuated the remainder of the building as a precaution.

The fire was quickly knocked down and contained to the room of origin, which OKCFDS believed to be vacant.

Later, investigators said there was evidence indicating unauthorized individuals had recently been staying inside the unit. OKCFD says the apartment manager stated that individuals experiencing homelessness had previously been removed from the unit on multiple occasions.

No injuries were reported.

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Oklahoma

Oscar-nominated prison documentary to screen in OKC, spotlighting Oklahoma prison concerns

Published

15 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Press Room

Oscar-nominated prison documentary to screen in OKC, spotlighting Oklahoma prison concerns

OKLAHOMA CITY –

An Oscar-nominated documentary exposing violence inside prison walls is coming to Oklahoma City. Criminal justice reform advocates want to bring attention to Oklahoma’s prison system by showing the film locally.

The documentary “The Alabama Solution” will screen at the Yale Theater in southwest Oklahoma City at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. The film highlights the dangerous conditions inside Alabama prisons. Advocates say Oklahoma has the same issues.

Watching “The Alabama Project” was an eye-opening experience for J’Shawna Smith.

“I was like well obviously this stuff happens here in Oklahoma,” said Smith. “We’ve heard the same stories here.”

Smith works for the Julius Jones Institute, which was founded after Jones’ death sentence was commuted in Oklahoma by Governor Kevin Stitt shortly before his scheduled execution.

Smith wants the documentary screening to bring awareness to the community and state leaders.

“It exposes the things that are happening inside of our prisons,” said Smith.

There’s no one better to speak about the Oklahoma prison system than someone who has been part of it.

“I’ve never dealt with it firsthand, a guard taking a life or something like that,” said Jason Miller, a former prisoner. “But definitely watched them set it up and so it’s the same, you still got blood on your hands.”

Miller said he was incarcerated in Oklahoma starting at the age of 17. He believes shining a light on violence in prisons can save lives and hold state leaders accountable.

“It’s just hushed to where it would not be heard by society,” said Miller.

Advocates for criminal justice reform also want state leaders to put more resources towards mental health care in prisons.

A community discussion moderated by Senator Nikki Nice will be held after the documentary screening.

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Oklahoma

OSDE announces finalists for Oklahoma’s 2026 Teacher of the Year award

Published

1 day ago

February 12, 2026

Press Room

OSDE announces finalists for Oklahoma’s 2026 Teacher of the Year award

Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Lindel Fields announced the 10 finalists for the 2026 Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding educators from across the state who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and service to their school communities.

The winner will be announced at the Teacher of the Year Gala in June.

“Oklahoma educators are second to none, and these 10 teachers represent the best of the best,” Fields said, per a press release. “I am incredibly proud of these educators. I hope all Oklahomans can join me in celebrating this accomplishment and expressing our support and appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to our students.”

The 10 finalists include four elementary school teachers, three middle school and three high school teachers.

Here are the 10 finalists for the award:

Kasey Bennett, Durant Public Schools

Bennett teaches STEM to kindergartners through fourth graders at Northwest Heights Elementary in Durant. She said one of her most meaningful accomplishments as a teacher was founding the school’s Science Fair/STEM Night.

“What makes this event truly meaningful is its commitment to inclusivity: every student, regardless of background, ability or learning style, has a place to shine,” Bennett said, according to OSDE.

Keely Flynn, Tulsa Public Schools

Flynn is a physical education teacher at Lindbergh Elementary in Tulsa. She said her favorite thing about teaching is the connections and community she’s built through movement and relationships.

“I’m proud of what we’ve built, but the moments that fuel me most aren’t awards; they’re the everyday reminders that students feel connected,” Flynn said, according to OSDE. “It’s a child counting down the days until their next P.E. class. It is when students are proudly sharing they chose water instead of juice, went on a walk with family, or tried a new food because we talked about balance.”

Tobi Gordon, Moore Public Schools

Gordon is a deaf education teacher for seventh- and eighth-graders at Brink Junior High School in Moore. She said she strives to create a learning environment where deaf students can not only succeed academically and linguistically, but also build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging.

“I believe that some of my greatest accomplishments as an educator so far include helping create a school environment that is understanding and accepting of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and one in whichstudents are not simply passed along, but are expected to learn and to be great,” Gordon said, per OSDE.

Tracie Grunewald, Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy

Grunewald is a high school geometry teacher at Oklahoma Virtual High School. She’s worked in education for 18 years and remains convinced that education has the power to change lives.

“I became a teacher because I know firsthand the lasting impact educators can have on students’ lives,” Grunewald told OSDE. “I remain deeply committed to my students, to young people, and to the profession that helped shape who I am today.”

Vanessa Jones, Bethel Public Schools

Jones is a 10th-grade biology teacher at Bethel High School. She described her approach to teaching science by engaging students in the process of discovery rather than telling them what they need to know. Jones has been in the industry for the past 20 years.

“I want (students) to see science as a tool for understanding the world, solving problems, and contributing thoughtfully to society,” Jones said, according to OSDE. “I emphasize that science is not a static body of facts to be memorized, but rather, a study of dynamic and evolving processes.”

Serena Neely, Shawnee Public Schools

Neely is a first-grade teacher at Will Rogers Elementary in Shawnee. She sees teaching as a larger mission to serve, inspire and empower the next generation of learners.

“I got into the education field for the love of my children… and convenience,” Neely said, per OSDE. “I quickly learned that education isn’t convenient at all. Education is urgent. I live and breathe education for the love of all children: mine, yours, and future generations yet to be impacted by encounters, big or small.”

LeeAnn Pressler, Bartlesville Public Schools

Pressler teaches middle school special education at Central Middle School in Bartlesville. She’s been a teacher for over a decade and said she’s learned that sometimes the path we resist most becomes the path that shapes us the most.

“Middle school is a complicated, messy, beautiful stage of life,” Pressler told OSDE. “I never thought I would find my purpose here. But I did. And I found a career that reminds me, again and again, that impact is built one connection at a time.”

Ellie Pryor, Woodward Public Schools

Pryor is a library media and literacy skills and research at three elementary schools within Woodward Public Schools: Cedar Heights, Highland Park and Horace Mann Elementary. She follows the philosophy that everything in life should be dynamic, ever-growing and ever-changing.

“The beauty of teaching lies in understanding how humans grow, change and learn, and crafting learning experiences that reflect this understanding,” Pryor said, according to OSDE. “I strive to create experiences for my students that will stay with them for a lifetime.”

Elizabeth Reed, Owasso Public Schools

Reed is an eighth-grade advanced English language arts teacher at Owasso Eighth Grade Center. She credits her career to a former educator who believed in her and shaped the possibilities that led her to the classroom.

“I teach with the understanding that growth rarely looks perfect up close,” Reed said per OSDE. “My greatest accomplishments occur in small, micro-moments each day and throughout the year when a student’s eyes light up, reflecting understanding.”

Mary Tyree, Alva Public Schools

Tyree teaches physical science, engineering, aeronautics and crime scene for all grades at Alva High School. She started the aeronautics program, the TSA chapter and the esports club at the school, in addition to serving as the cross-country coach.

“With each of these programs I mentioned, I did not seek out what only interested me but rather found a need, listened to the students, and provided what they needed to succeed,” Tyree told OSDE. “I am deeply passionate about listening to what our youth need and helping them find a way.”

Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at ialmeida@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @ialmeidasports. Support Isa’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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