OSSAA Team Preview: Sapulpa Chieftains
February 27, 2024
Team: Sapulpa Chieftains
2023 Record: 29-10
Classification: 5A
Head Coach: Steven Irvine Jr
Years at the Helm: 7
Total Runs: 263/146
Average Runs: 6.74/3.74
Average Differential: 3
Outlook:
Coach Irvine’s Sapulpa squad comes in with high expectations in 2024 following a 5A state tournament semi-final appearance in the 2023 season. The Chieftains have experience in their lineup with some top end pitching that look to have an impactful spring. If some of the pitching depth can step up and gain experience in the early part of the season, expect Sapulpa to be hanging around when it comes to contenders in the 5A State Title race. One thing that has become an annual tradition, no matter what players make up the roster from a Coach Irvine squad, they always play with a high level of toughness and savvy giving them a puncher's chance against anyone in the state.
Impact Players:
Jack Blevins, 2024, C/RHP, Connors St Commit
2024 SS @jackblevins19 chips in on a 4 run 4th as @SapBaseball takes the lead over Noble 7-6. pic.twitter.com/JTeKs3oisE
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) May 12, 2022
Blevins has been one of the most productive players in the state the past few springs and looks to carry that into his senior campaign. The LHH backstop uses all parts of the field and has been a big RBI threat every year of his HS career. Blevins is the leader in the clubhouse and does whatever it takes for his team to win whether it is behind the plate or on the mound as a high pitchability guy.
Braxton Jones, 2024, RHP, Uncommitted
Jones is expected to lead the Chieftain staff into the 2024 season. After an injury derailed 2023 spring, Jones is healthy and expected to be a full go into the upcoming year. The 6 '4 RHP works in the upper 80’s and we are interested to see if he has made any more jumps going into his senior season.
Malachi Wilson, 2024, INF, Uncommitted
2024 1B Malachi Wilson (@sapbaseball) keeps the hands tight with 2 strikes to pull one down the left field line for an RBI 2B. Wilson always seems to find the barrel when we see him with strong barrel control and some strength at contact pic.twitter.com/QmoFlDC4B7
— PBR Oklahoma (@PBR_Oklahoma) April 11, 2023
Wilson has been one of the main leaders of the Sapulpa teams the last few seasons. The RHH 1B has been a 3 year starter and has been a mainstay in the Chieftain lineup all of his career. Wilson has a knack for driving in runs and picking up clutch hits each time we get a look at him and will look to continue his production into his senior season.
Players To Watch:
Bryson Donnell, 2026, OF, Uncommitted
Jensen Penn, 2027, LHP, Uncommitted
Tyler Sparks, 2027, C, Uncommitted
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