2026 OSSAA 2A-I State Tournament Preview
May 13, 2026
The 2A-I field is set and the frontline starting pitching, along with the stout schedule these teams played throughout the spring, make this an exciting field. There has always been a strength in Oklahoma compared to some other states in the amount of depth and quality prospects that come from these smaller schools. This year is no different with multiple commitments taking the field and plenty more who's recruitment is on the horizon. We take a look at a few players to watch from each team and preview each team ahead of this week's action.
Thursday's Games (at Shawnee HS)
11:00 AM: Dale vs Kansas
1:30 PM: Calera vs Colbert
4:00 PM: Cashion vs Oktaha
6:30 PM: Christian Heritage vs Latta
Dale vs Kansas
Dale
OVERALL RECORD - 24-6
RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD - 3-0 (W- Latta, Cashion & CHA)
HOW THEY GOT HERE
The Pirates have had an excellent season to this point, and have looked particularly strong against other small school competition with their only losses coming to schools in 4A and above. Leading into the tournament, Dale is scorching hot as they swept through their regional with three shutout wins by a combined tally of 47-0.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Braylon White: 2027, MIF (Uncommitted)
Briar Turman: 2027, RHP (Uncommitted)
AJ Carpenter: 2026, RHP/1B, (Seminole State JC)
Elvis Edwards: 2026, MIF/RHP (Seminole State JC)
Denton Forsythe: 2026, OF (Tulsa Basketball)
Cruz Garrett: 2028, 3B/RHP (Uncommitted)
Chase Harris: 2027, INF/RHP (Uncommitted)
After another year as one of the favorites to take home the state title, the Pirates hope this will be the group to break through for the first time since 2022 and the first time in the spring season since 2014. The Pirates head to Shawnee with a lineup loaded with talent, anchored by seniors AJ Carpenter (2026, Seminole State) and Elvis Edwards (2026, Seminole State). Dale has also gotten big production from guys like Braylon White (2027), Cruz Garrett (2028), Chase Harris (2027) and Denton Forsythe (2026, Tulsa MBB), giving the Pirates the type of depth necessary to compete at the highest level. On the mound, the Pirates have an experienced stable of two-way talents they can turn to, led by Briar Turman (2027).
Kansas
OVERALL RECORD - 28-9
RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD - 0-0
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Kansas took the scenic route to the tournament, dropping game one of regionals to Newkirk before rattling off four consecutive wins, including a pair of one-run victories over hosting Panama to become the lone non-host to clinch a spot in the state tournament this year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sonny Hill: 2027, MIF/RHP (Uncommitted)
Zack Adams: 2026, C/RHP (Uncommitted)
Makobi Preston: 2027, 1B/LHP (Uncommitted)
Jaxon Haynes: 2029, INF (Uncommitted)
Tristan Anglin: 2026, OF/RHP (Uncommitted)
The Comets enter the tournament as the Cinderella story of the 2026 season, becoming the only team who did not host a regional to secure a spot in State. That's not to discount the talent on this roster though, as Kansas comes into this weekend led by a talented group of upperclassmen looking to prove themselves on the biggest stage. The depth on the mound for the Comets showed up in a big way as they fought their way back through the losers bracket, needing to win four straight to move on. Makobi Preston (2027)and Tristan Anglin (2026) each tossed complete games to set their squad up nicely on the mound in the final game, where Sonny Hill delivered his second quality start in three days to help the Comets move on. At the plate, Kansas will look to get quality at-bats out of the middle of the order guys like Zack Adams (2026) and Jaxon Haynes (2029).
Calera vs Colbert
Calera
OVERALL RECORD - 23-8
RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD - 0-3 (L- Cashion, Latta x2)
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Calera has proven their ability to match up with some of the better small schools in the state, with wins this season over Preston and Lone Grove. They come into the tournament fresh off a sweep in regionals, with pitching leading the way as they took back-to-back wins over Fairview 5-2 and 5-0 to secure a spot in state.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Logan Bumgarner: 2026, SS/RHP (Redlands CC)
Hofflin Weil: 2027, MIF (Uncommitted)
Zaiden Craige: 2026, OF/RHP (Uncommitted)
Jaron Varner: 2026, 1B (Uncommitted)
Demarcus Dunn: 2027, C/RHP (Uncommitted)
Talon Rose: 2026 OF/RHP (Rose State CC)
With an experienced core who have seen playing time in the State Tournament before, the Bulldogs will look to build on a run to the semi-finals a year ago and go the distance for a title. Logan Bumgarner (2026, Redlands CC) has been at the forefront of much of the Bulldogs' success this year, both on the mound where he has been one of their top arms, as well as at the plate where he has given Calera great production out of the leadoff spot. Zaiden Craige (2026) has been another two-way standout for the Bulldogs, while they continue to get big at-bats from guys like Hofflin Weil (2027), Jaron Varner (2026), Demarcus Dunn (2027) and Talon Rose (2026, Rose State CC).
Colbert
OVERALL RECORD - 29-6
RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD - 1-1 (W - CHA; L - Latta)
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Steady as ever, Colbert rattled off another strong season including an undefeated trip to Texas over spring break. They would cap off the year with a regional sweep as they took consecutive matchups over a 2025 state tournament squad in Dibble to punch their ticket to the big dance.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kaden Neill: 2026, RHP/1B (Murray State JC)
Trevor Jackson: 2026, MIF (Murray State JC)
Isaiah Lopez: 2027, MIF (Uncommitted)
Braxton Reese: 2026, C (Southeastern OK State)
Tucker Shields: 2026, OF (Uncommitted)
Brett Parsons: 2026, OF/RHP (Uncommitted)
A pair of Murray State signees headline a talented roster for Colbert, and one which has tons of experience with a heavy senior presence throughout the lineup. Kaden Neill (2026, Murray State JC) has been a massive piece for the Leopards, putting in time as the ace of their staff on the mound while also manning a role in the heart of the Colbert batting order. Fellow future Aggie Trevor Jackson (2026, Murray State JC) has set the table nicely at the top of the order this year, while Colbert has gotten steady production from guys like Isaiah Lopez (2027) and Braxton Reese (2026, Southeastern OK State) in the middle of the lineup. On the mound, Colbert is led by Neill, with big innings coming from Brett Parsons (2026) and Tucker Shields (2026) as well.
Cashion vs Oktaha
Cashion
OVERALL RECORD - 24-7
RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD - 2-1 (W - Calera, CHA; L - Dale)
HOW THEY GOT HERE
The defending 2A-I champs are back in the tournament looking to make it back-to-back titles after another strong season. The Cashion offense caught fire in regionals, plating 19 and then 18 runs in their first two games before securing the regional title with a 5-0 victory over Coalgate.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kellen Smith: 2027, C/OF (Uncommitted)
Brian Nabavi: 2026, INF (Uncommitted)
Kyle Yowell: 2026, RHP/MIF (Uncommitted)
Brody Nichols: 2026, RHP/INF (Eastern OK State JC)
Ryder Lykins: 2026, 1B (Evangel)
Rival Fields: 2027, OF/RHP (Uncommitted)
After securing their first state title in school history a year ago, the Wildcats will look to defend their title in 2026 beginning with a first round bout with Oktaha, making this the fourth consecutive spring the two schools will battle it out in the state tournament. Cashion returns a nice chunk of production from last year's squad, and will look for their talented group of upperclassmen to lead the way once again. Kyle Yowell (2026) has been excellent this year for Cashion both on the mound and at the plate as a key piece of the Wildcats lineup. Brody Nichols (2026, Eastern OK State JC) will likely be called upon to pitch big innings for Cashion this postseason as well. Kellen Smith (2027), Brian Nabavi (2026), Ryder Lykins (2026, Evangel) and Rival Fields (2027) have all delivered quality seasons at the plate this year for Cashion.
Oktaha
OVERALL RECORD - 25-7
RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD - 0-0
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Oktaha enters the tournament red hot as winners of 14 of their last 15, with their only loss in that time coming to a 5A foe. The offense played a big role in ensuring a round one rematch of last year's state title matchup, scoring double digit runs in each of their three regionals games as they secured the sweep.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nic Tolbert: 2026, SS/RHP (Wichita State)
Luke Edwards: 2028, OF (Uncommitted)
Lastyn Taylor: 2027, INF (Uncommitted)
Conner Ward: 2027, RHP (Uncommitted)
Carter McKinzie: 2029, INF/RHP (Uncommitted)
After two consecutive seasons of matching up with Cashion in the state title game, Oktaha will now look to take down the Wildcats in round one as they attmept to make a run at another championship. The Tigers' offense is led by Wichita State signee Nic Tolbert (2026), who has turned heads his whole career as a high-level hitter and will look to stay hot after a nice performance in regionals. The heart of the Oktaha order also includes talented underclassmen like Luke Edwards (2028) and Carter McKinzie (2029) who have already made an impact early in their high school careers. On the mound, Oktaha will look to get some big innings out of Conner Ward (2027), as well as McKinzie and Tolbert.
Christian Heritage vs Latta
Christian Heritage
OVERALL RECORD - 23-12
RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD - 0-3 (L - Dale, Colbert & Cashion)
HOW THEY GOT HERE
After an up and down regular season against a tough schedule, the pieces have started to come together at the right time for Christian Heritage as they enter the tournament coming off a dominant showing in regionals where they outscored their opponents by a combined score of 40-6.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Asher Edelen: 2026, OF/RHP (Uncommitted)
Jackson Thompson: 2028, MIF (Uncommitted)
Bradley Cowart: 2026, 3B/RHP (Uncommitted)
Isaiah Sherer: 2026, SS/RHP (Uncommitted)
Dillon French: 2026, MIF/RHP (Uncommitted)
Ben Vogler: 2026, OF/RHP (Uncommitted)
The Crusaders are rolling at the right time, especially on offense where the lineup has plated double digit runs in every game to this point in the postseason. At the heart of the offensive surge has been a talented set of seniors at the top of the Christian Heritage lineup, with Asher Edelen (2026), Bradley Cowart (2026) and Isaiah Sherer (2026) all delivering major production at the plate during regionals. Not to be outdone by his older counterparts, Jackson Thompson (2028) has also played a big role for CHA in the middle of the order this season. On the mound, Christian Heritage has turned to Sherer, Dillon French (2026) and Ben Vogler (2026) to get the big outs this spring.
Latta
OVERALL RECORD - 25-3
RECORD AGAINST THE FIELD - 3-1 (W - Colbert, Calera x2; L - Dale)
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Come first pitch on Thursday, Latta will be one month removed from their most recent loss as the squad has been rolling leading up to this weekend. The Panthers outscored their opponents by a combined score of 34-0 as they swept through their regional.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ryder Perry: 2026, RHP/1B (Uncommitted)
Landon Fortner: 2026, C/INF (Western OK State JC)
Kaiden Goolsby: 2027, OF/RHP (Uncommitted)
Christian Wolfe: 2029, SS (Uncommitted)
Deakon Smith: 2026, INF/RHP (Uncommitted)
Gestin Pollard: 2026, MIF/RHP (Uncommitted)
Latta has gone wire-to-wire as one of the favorites to take home the 2A-I crown this spring, playing their way to an excellent 25-3 record which includes three wins over teams in the field, tied for the most with Dale. Consistent production on the mound has been a huge key to the Panthers success this year, which we saw play out in regionals as Latta pitched their way to three consecutive shutouts to punch their ticket to the state tournament. Ryder Perry (2026) and Gestin Pollard (2026) have played big roles in that success as the duo atop the rotation. They've gotten plenty of run support throughout the year as well from the offense led by upperclassmen like Landon Fortner (2026, WOSC), Kaiden Goolsby (2027) and Deakon Smith (2026), while freshman Christian Wolfe has come onto the scene and made a big impact at the plate in his first spring with the Panthers.
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