Area players to watch in state tournaments
Baseball state tournaments begin Thursday around the state, with Class 6A and Class 5A in Tulsa. Class 4A, Class 3A and Class 2A are all in the Oklahoma City area. Here are seven local players to watch the next three days:
Jace Bohrofen, Westmoore: Only a sophomore, Bohrofen is becoming one of the most feared hitters in the state. His numbers also look like a video game: .534 average, .624 on-base percentage, 63 hits, 10 home runs, 15 doubles, 58 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.
Dax Fulton, Mustang: The tall, left-handed sophomore pitcher dominated in last year’s state championship game and then committed to NCAA power Vanderbilt. He takes the mound Thursday against Owasso with a 7-0 record and 1.37 ERA.
Grant Harrison, Jones: A Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College signee, Harrison is a strong shortstop and pitcher who has the Longhorns back in the tournament ready to make a title run.
Gant Hathcock, Dale: The Pirates are a perennial state tournament team looking for their 12th title and first since 2014. Hathcock, who hit better than .400 in the fall, has signed with Seminole State.
Carter LaValley, Carl Albert: A football season full of injuries didn’t derail LaValley on the diamond. He’s batting .462 with five homers. His speed has been huge. He’s stolen 35 bases and scored 64 times.
Bryce Madron, Blanchard: Blanchard can hit with three guys batting better than .500. Madron is hitting .505 with nine homers, 11 doubles, 60 RBIs and 27 stolen bases.
Chandler Shapard, Heritage Hall: A multi-sport star for the Chargers, Shapard will play baseball at Central Oklahoma. He’s also batting .462 with 17 doubles, two triples, three homers and 38 RBIs top the lineup.