May 25—Two local baseball players were recently recognized for their elite abilities on the diamond.
Claremore’s Brooks Sherl and Jaren Keith of Verdigris were both named to the Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association All-State teams, a prestigious honor for any senior. Sherl is listed as a designated hitter for the Large East team while Keith will be an infielder for the Middle East squad.
The games will be played at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, on Sunday, June 6 at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid.
Sherl helped the Zebras to a 20-17 record in 2021, racking up 49 hits — including four home runs, four triples and four doubles — to go along with 33 RBIs, an on-base percentage of 0.541 and a 0.67 slugging percentage. He was walked 19 times, hit by a pitch four times and struck out on only four occasions.
Furthermore, Sherl stole 41 bases and scored 50 runs. Defensively, he logged a fielding percentage of 0.924.
Meanwhile, Keith was instrumental to the Cardinals’ run to the Class 4A state championship game.
He recorded a 0.402 batting average for the 27-10 runners-up, hitting 15 doubles and two triples while tallying 45 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
Here is a look at the full Large East and Middle East rosters:
LARGE EAST
P: Dax Sharp, Pryor; Brooks Fowler, Jenks; Jakob Hall, Bartlesville
C: Logan Vaughn, Coweta; Jackson Young, Stillwater
1B: Blake Nichols, Bixby
INF: Brooks Miller, Pryor; Brody Green, Owasso; Conner Duncan, Collinsville
OF: Blake Williams, Bixby; Grant Jones, Coweta; Cameron Talburt, Tulsa Kelley
DH: Brooks Sherl, Claremore
Util: Evan Casey, Sapulpa
Coaches: Justin Timmerman, Jenks; Kevin Paxson, Shawnee
MIDDLE EAST
P: Chance Condit, Adair; Camden Gipson, Victory Christian; Parker Presley, Byng
C: Devin Qualls, Lincoln Christian; Nick Hughes, Vian
1B: Braden Riggs, Spiro
INF: Wallack Clark, Tulsa Holland Hall; Jaren Keith, Verdigris; Colton Ayers, Kellyville
OF: Zac Carroll, Ada; Larry Edwards, Metro Christian; Holden Yoder, Adair
DH: Seth Brecheen, Byng
Util: Jagger Dill, Poteau
Coaches: Andy Perdue, Poteau