THE OKLAHOMAN’S BIG ALL-CITY BASEBALL FIRST TEAM
Editor’s note: This year’s OKC Metro High School Sports Awards will feature an overall All-City team for each sport at the season-ending award show on June 8.
Colton Strange, Yukon
Class: Senior | Position: Catcher
The story: Strange excelled as the starting catcher on a Yukon team that advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals. Offensively, the University of Central Oklahoma signee’s stat line featured a .366 batting average with 40 RBI and three home runs.
Nick Garcia, Edmond North
Class: Senior | Position: Infield
The story: Garcia was a versatile star for Edmond North, spending time in the infield and outfield as the Huskies reached the Class 6A quarterfinals. The Cisco College signee’s stat line featured 25 RBI, 32 hits, six doubles and 11 steals.
Gage Gundy, Stillwater
Class: Senior | Position: Infield
The story: After leading Stillwater football to a Class 6A state title, Gundy continued to have a stellar career on the baseball diamond, too. As the Pioneers’ leadoff power hitter, he smashed 15 home runs and provided 58 RBI. With a .441 batting average, the first baseman helped Stillwater reach the state quarterfinals.
Ethan Holliday, Stillwater
Class: Sophomore | Position: Infield The story: The latest star in Stillwater’s famous baseball family, Holliday handled the pressure of everyone knowing his name. The shortstop finished the season with a .450 batting average and 15 home runs. When opponents tried to pitch around him, he capitalized, drawing 49 walks.
RJ Jackson, Choctaw
Class: Senior | Position: Infield
The story: A Tulsa football signee, Jackson also made a major difference for Choctaw’s baseball team. He batted .467 with 45 RBI, 15 doubles, three triples and seven home runs. Jackson set school records for career batting average and career runs.
Chance Owens, Yukon
Class: Junior | Position: Outfield
The story: One of the top outfielders in the state, Owens also fueled Yukon’s offense as the leadoff hitter with a .448 batting average. He struck out only five times all season as the Millers advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals.
Noah Smith, Piedmont
Class: Senior | Position: Outfield
The story: After three seasons of starting at third base, Smith shifted to right field, helping the Wildcats reach the Class 5A state quarterfinals. The Cisco College signee fueled Piedmont’s offense with 36 RBI, 11 doubles and 13 steals. He also pitched, throwing 49 strikeouts with a 5-2 record.
Kaehler Stillings, Westmoore
Class: Senior | Position: Outfield
The story: A four-year varsity starter, Stillings wrapped up his high school career with a Class 6A state quarterfinal appearance. The Oklahoma City University signee provided 25 RBI and 43 hits with a .422 batting average as Westmoore won its district title.
Luke Schimmels, Deer Creek
Class: Senior | Position: Designated hitter
The story: One of the most feared hitters in Oklahoma high school baseball, Schimmels batted .491 with 44 RBI, 57 hits, 13 doubles, 10 home runs and four triples. The Cisco College signee received Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors, boosting the Antlers on the way to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.
Kash Ferris, Carl Albert
Class: Junior | Position: Pitcher
The story: Ferris shined as Carl Albert’s ace pitcher on the way to a Class 5A state title. The Oklahoma State commit compiled a 9-2 record with a 1.74 ERA and 117 strikeouts. He also impacted the offense with 14 RBI and moved to the outfield when his teammates were on the mound.
Colin Fisher, Noble
Class: Senior | Position: Pitcher
The story: Fisher led Noble to the Class 5A state tournament as a phenomenal two-way player. The senior Arkansas signee posted a 0.57 ERA while throwing 123 strikeouts. At the plate, Fisher had a .407 batting average with 54 RBI, 44 hits, 14 doubles and 13 home runs.
With his all-around performance, Fisher was also named the Oklahoma City Area Baseball Coaches Association Player of the Year.
Jackson Pickelsimer, Mustang
Class: Junior | Position: Pitcher
The story: Pickelsimer was named Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, and he also had a stellar season at the plate as Mustang went 25-10. Pickelsimer threw 64 strikeouts with a 1.07 ERA and an 8-1 record. He hit .404 with 15 RBI and three doubles.
Big All-City Coach of the Year: Ryan Whiteley, Carl Albert
The story: Whiteley guided Carl Albert to its second Class 5A state title in a three-year span. The Titans went 34-8 overall and 12-2 in district play with 12 shutout wins this season. They capped the season with a 7-1 victory against Tulsa Bishop Kelley in the state finals.