The Henryetta Knights continue to build momentum early in the season, turning in a pair of dominant performances with convincing wins over Morris and Okemah. Behind strong pitching, aggressive baserunning and timely hitting, the Knights outscored their opponents 18-2 across the two games, showcasing a well-rounded effort on both sides of the ball.

— Henryetta 8, Morris 0

Henryetta wasted little time setting the tone Wednesday, capitalizing on early opportunities and leaning on a sharp pitching performance to blank the Morris Eagles, 8-0.

The Knights broke through in the bottom of the first inning when a balk allowed the game’s first run to cross the plate. They added to that advantage in the second, as James Joslin delivered a key double and Boston Morris executed a sacrifice bunt to help extend the lead.

On the mound, Henryetta’s pitching staff was in complete control.

Hunter Bowdler earned the win with an impressive outing, allowing just two hits over two innings while striking out five and walking one. Blake Silkwood followed in relief, tossing three scoreless innings while giving up just one hit, striking out one, and walking one to preserve the shutout.

Morris struggled to generate offense against the Knights’ pitching duo. Daton Andrews, Baylor Ledford, Jake Hurt, and Jax Finch each recorded a hit, accounting for the Eagles’ limited production. Morris did flash some defensive ability, turning a double play in the contest.

Keaton Carnes took the loss for Morris, working three and one-third innings while allowing eight runs (six earned) on four hits, with one strikeout and four walks.

At the plate, Henryetta’s lineup produced efficiently despite limited hits.

James Joslin led the way, going a perfect 2-for-2 from the No. 9 spot. Joslin, Boston Morris and Haiden Kaler each drove in two runs. The Knights also applied pressure on the basepaths, swiping four bases in the game.

— Henryetta 10, Okemah 2

The Knights carried that momentum into Friday’s road matchup, overpowering the Okemah Panthers 10-2 with a blend of patience at the plate and speed on the bases.

Henryetta struck first in the opening inning when Hunter Bowdler singled to bring home the game’s first run. The Knights then broke the game wide open in the third inning with a five-run surge – despite recording just one hit in the frame.

A series of disciplined at-bats proved critical, as Will Perez drew a bases-loaded walk, Blake Silkwood followed with another RBI walk, EJ Glover added an RBI single and a passed ball allowed two more runs to score.

On the mound, Henryetta was again dominant.

Haiden Kaler picked up the win, delivering two and two-thirds innings of one-hit, shutout baseball while striking out seven and issuing no walks. EJ Glover was equally effective in relief, tossing three and two-thirds hitless innings, striking out five and walking one to keep Okemah off balance.

Gage Smith took the loss for the Panthers, allowing eight runs (six earned) on four hits over five and onethird innings, with three strikeouts and eight walks.

Henryetta’s offense combined patience and speed to overwhelm Okemah. The Knights drew 10 walks as a team. Silkwood, Perez, Boston Morris and Bowdler each worked two walks. Haiden Kaler led the team with two hits, while Hunter Bowdler drove in two runs to pace the offense.

Once on base, Henryetta turned aggressive, racking up 10 stolen bases. Perez, Bowdler and Kaler each recorded multiple steals.

Defensively, the Knights also turned a double play to cap another complete performance.

Okemah’s offense was limited to three hits, with Hadlee Wells, Gage Smith and Ethan Miller each collecting one. Rhett Rogers and Cole Dodson accounted for the Panthers’ two RBIs.

— By the Numbers (Both Games) • Runs Scored: 18

• Runs Allowed: 2

• Team Walks: 14

• Stolen Bases: 14

• Double Plays Turned: 2 — Pitching Highlights

• Hunter Bowdler: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 K

• Blake Silkwood: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R

• Haiden Kaler: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 7 K

• EJ Glover: 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 K — Up Next

Henryetta looked to keep its winning streak alive as the Knights returned home Monday to host the Kellyville Ponies.

With strong pitching depth, disciplined hitting, and aggressive base running, Henryetta appears to be hitting its stride early – making the Knights a team to watch as the season continues.