The 2026 high school baseball season got underway Monday with a pair of tough road contests for Morris and an emphatic home victory for Preston, giving Okmulgee County fans an early glimpse of what each club may bring to the diamond this spring.

While the Eagles endured a challenging day against Dewey in both junior varsity and varsity action, the Pirates made a strong opening statement behind dominant pitching and timely hitting.

— Eagles battle Dewey in season opener

Morris opened its season on the road against Dewey, where a pair of big innings proved costly in two losses.

In the varsity matchup, Dewey capitalized on a six-run fourth inning to secure a 10-0 victory.

Dewey struck first in the opening frame when Eddie Rice drew a bases-loaded walk to plate a run. The Bulldoggers added three more in the second inning, taking advantage of a Morris error, a Jackson Fox RBI single to left field and a sacrifice fly by Jay Murguia.

The game broke open in the fourth. Dewey tallied six runs on five hits in the inning. Parker Garrison singled home a run, Murguia added another RBI single, Easton Davis delivered a two-run double, and Nathan Sloan tripled to drive in a run as the Bulldoggers extended their lead to double digits.

Gage Ausbrook started on the mound for Morris, working 3 2/3 innings. He allowed 11 hits and 10 runs – only two earned – while striking out three and walking one. Dewey starter Easton Davis set the tone early, tossing two hitless innings with two strikeouts and one walk.

Offensively, Morris received singles from Hagon Hodges and Baylor Ledford. Ausbrook also created pressure on the basepaths, stealing two bases.

Dewey collected 11 hits in the contest, led by Mason Snellgrove’s 3-for-4 performance. Rice, Garrison, Snellgrove, Fox and Murguia each recorded an RBI. Garrison and Snellgrove also swiped multiple bases as the Bulldoggers applied consistent pressure.

Earlier in the day, Morris also fell in junior varsity action, 12-1, as Dewey used a nine-run second inning to take control.

After Dewey grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a groundout by Layne Gastel, the Bulldoggers erupted in the second. Mason Snellgrove singled to drive in a run, a bases-loaded walk forced in another, and Easton Davis delivered the biggest blow – a grand slam to left field. Chase Miller followed with a two-run double, and Dewey even added a run on a steal of home during the frame.

Landon Martin started for Morris in the JV contest, pitching two innings. The left-hander allowed eight hits and 10 runs while walking two.

Despite the final score, the Eagles found positives. Daton Andrews went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate and drove in Morris’ lone run. Grant Clay added speed on the bases with two stolen bases.

Dewey’s aggressive approach showed throughout the game, as the Bulldoggers stole nine bases and were led by Davis’ four RBIs.

Morris will look to regroup quickly as the Eagles return home Tuesday to face Haskell, aiming to turn early lessons into improvement as the young season unfolds.

— Pirates open season with statement win While Morris worked through early growing pains, Preston delivered one of the area’s most complete performances of opening day, defeating Stroud 10-2 at home.

Preston’s tone was set on the mound by Kaden Dean, who was nearly untouchable in his first start of the season. The right-hander struck out 11 batters over five no-hit innings, allowing no runs and walking three. Dean’s command and composure gave the Pirates full control from the outset.

Preston wasted little time providing run support. In the bottom of the first inning, Tyler Stevenson singled to left field to drive in a run, and Pepper Gallup followed with an RBI groundout to give the Pirates a 2-0 advantage.

The lead grew in the third when Gallup singled to center to plate another run, pushing the margin to 3-0.

Hunter McElhannon led the Pirates offensively, going 3-for-4 with singles in the first, fifth and sixth innings. Gallup finished 1-for-3 with a team-high three RBIs, while Bryce McNac added two hits in three at-bats.

Preston totaled nine hits and remained aggressive on the basepaths, stealing four bases as a team. Stevenson accounted for two of those steals.

Stroud’s lone highlight came in the sixth inning when Gage Bailey launched a two-run home run to left field. Bailey finished 1-for-1 with two RBIs. Stryker Bray started on the mound for Stroud, allowing five hits and four runs over four innings while striking out two and walking three.

With dominant pitching, balanced hitting and active baserunning, the Pirates displayed early-season sharpness that could bode well moving forward. Preston will look to carry that momentum into Saturday’s matchup against Roff.