The 2026 spring sports season is officially underway across Okmulgee County, and local baseball and softball teams wasted little time making their presence known on the diamond. From dominant pitching performances to explosive early innings and dramatic walk-off finishes, area programs delivered an exciting opening weekend filled with highlights.
— Eagles show fight despite loss at Weleetka The Morris Eagles may have come up short on the scoreboard Friday night, but their offense showed plenty of promise in a 12-4 loss to the Weleetka Outlaws.
Morris actually out-hit Weleetka eight to five in the contest, led by a standout performance from Baylor Ledford. The Eagle slugger collected three hits in three at-bats, including a double in the fifth inning along with singles in the second and fourth frames.
Weleetka struck first in the bottom of the opening inning when Noah Hare doubled and Bryant Sites stole home, giving the Outlaws an early 2-0 lead.
The Eagles responded in the third inning to tie the game. Rowan Rimarez delivered a clutch double to drive in a run, while Jax Finch added another run with a lineout to knot the score at 2-2.
However, the momentum quickly shifted in Weleetka’s favor in the bottom half of the inning. An error allowed the Outlaws to regain the lead, and a walk by Luke Polson pushed the advantage to 4-2.
The decisive moment came in the fourth inning when Weleetka exploded for five runs. Peyton Baker executed a sacrifice bunt to bring in one run before Hare delivered the biggest blow of the night a grand slam to left field that put the Outlaws firmly in control.
Landon Martin started on the mound for Morris, striking out five batters over four and one-third innings. Despite allowing five hits and 12 runs (six earned), the Eagles remained aggressive offensively and on the base paths.
Grant Clay and Ledford each swiped multiple bases as Morris tallied eight stolen bases in the game. The Eagles also turned a double play defensively.
Weleetka’s Hare finished 2-for-4 with five RBIs to lead the Outlaws.
Morris looked to rebound Monday when they traveled to face the Metro Christian Patriots.
— Pirates ride pitching, power in shutout win The Preston Pirates opened their season in impressive fashion Saturday, defeating the Roff Tigers 4-0 behind strong pitching and timely hitting.
A dominant performance on the mound set the tone for the Pirates. Jace Basquez struck out 11 batters while allowing just one hit over five and onethird innings. Basquez also issued seven walks but worked out of trouble to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard.
Hunter McElhannon came on in relief and sealed the victory, inducing a groundout from Zakk Shanholtzer for the final out to earn the save.
The game remained scoreless through five innings as Roff starter Mason Dansby held Preston in check, allowing just two hits while striking out three.
That changed in the bottom of the sixth inning when the Pirates’ offense erupted.
Pepper Gallup delivered the biggest moment of the game, launching a three-run home run to left field that electrified the Preston crowd and gave the Pirates a commanding 3-0 lead. Bryce McNac followed with an RBI single to add an insurance run.
Gallup finished with three RBIs on the day, while McNac – batting ninth in the lineup – led Preston with two hits.
Greyson Joplin recorded Roff’s lone hit of the game.
The Pirates returned to action Tuesday when they host Regent Prep.
— Dragons strike early in shutout over Regent Prep A six-run first inning fueled the Dewar Dragons to an 8-0 victory over Regent Prep on Saturday.
Dewar wasted little time setting the tone, scoring six runs in the opening frame through a combination of aggressive baserunning and timely hitting. Johnathan Wilson scored on a tag-up play, Stoney Yaerger drew a bases-loaded walk, and a fielder’s choice induced by Eli Carter brought in two more runs. A passed ball and a groundout by Lukas Walden added to the early outburst.
The Dragons added another run in the second inning when Regent Prep committed an error, pushing the lead to 7-0.
On the mound, Traber Jones delivered a strong performance, holding Regent Prep hitless over five innings while allowing no runs. He struck out one batter and walked three.
Dewar’s offense was balanced throughout the lineup. Tanner Wilson, Braelin Lewis and Cooper McGee each collected two hits. Ayden Been, Lewis and Jones each drove in a run, while Wilson also stole two bases.
The Dragons also turned a double play defensively to help preserve the shutout.
Dewar traveled to Oktaha on Tuesday for their next contest.
— Knights pull away late against Weleetka The Henryetta Knights opened their season with a commanding 10-1 victory over the Weleetka Outlaws on Thursday.
Weleetka briefly held the lead in the first inning when Noah Hare hit a solo home run to left field. That would prove to be the Outlaws’ only run of the game.
Henryetta tied the contest in the fourth inning after a Weleetka error allowed a run to score.
The Knights then seized control in the fifth inning. Haiden Kaler singled to spark the rally, and a combination of errors and a sacrifice fly by Blake Silkwood helped Henryetta build a 5-1 advantage.
The Knights broke the game open in the sixth inning with a five-run outburst. Mavrix Randleman drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt, Silkwood doubled to plate two runs and James Joslin followed with a two-run single.
Randleman earned the victory on the mound with an outstanding performance, allowing just one hit and one run over six innings while striking out nine and issuing no walks.
Silkwood led Henryetta with three RBIs, while Hunter Bowdler and EJ Glover each drew two walks.
The Knights were also aggressive on the base paths, collecting eight stolen bases, including three by Will Perez.
Henryetta hosted the Prague Red Devils on Monday.
— Dragons combine for second shutout
The Dewar Dragons added another dominant pitching performance Friday in a 6-0 win over Hydro- Eakly.
Cooper McGee delivered a stellar outing, striking out 10 batters while allowing just one hit across six innings without issuing a walk.
Stoney Yaerger closed the game and secured the shutout.
Dewar scored early in the first inning when Johnathan Wilson tagged up to score and a Hydro-Eakly error brought home another run.
The Dragons extended their lead in the third with an RBI double from Ayden Been and an RBI single from McGee.
Yaerger added an exclamation point in the sixth inning with a solo home run to left field.
Wilson led Dewar offensively with three hits, while Been and McGee each drove in two runs.
The Dragons were flawless defensively, committing no errors while turning two double plays.
— HMS Lady Knights walk off Dewar
On the softball diamond, Henryetta Middle School delivered one of the most exciting games of the weekend, defeating the Dewar Middle School Lady Dragons 9-8 in dramatic walk-off fashion.
Henryetta trailed 8-4 entering the bottom of the fifth inning before staging a remarkable comeback.
The rally culminated when Pahyton Grauberger singled to drive in the winning run.
Earlier in the game, Dewar opened the scoring in the first inning after an error brought home two runs.
Henryetta answered in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead behind a series of key hits, including a double by Kamry Baker and a single from Josalyn.
Dewar surged back in the fourth inning with a five-run rally, highlighted by an inside-the-park home run from player No. 19 that drove in three runs.
Another inside-the-park homer in the fifth extended Dewar’s lead to 8-4 before Henryetta’s dramatic final rally.
Ryleigh Collett led Henryetta with three RBIs, including a two-run double in the final inning.
Grauberger pitched the complete game for Henryetta, allowing eight runs while striking out one.
— A Promising Start to the Spring Season With opening week now in the books, Okmulgee County baseball and softball teams have already delivered plenty of excitement for local fans. Strong pitching, aggressive base running and clutch hitting have been early themes for several programs.
As teams continue to settle into the rhythm of the season, area fans can expect many more thrilling moments as county athletes compete across diamonds throughout the spring.
