OSSAA 6A Regional Preview: Deer Creek Regional

The Deer Creek Regional gets underway on Wednesday, May 6th featuring Deer Creek, Broken Arrow, Bartlesville, and Putnam City. We break down each team’s record, players to watch, and a deeper look at each team as they head into this week’s regional and look to make a state tournament run.

Wednesday's Schedule:

Deer Creek vs Putnam City at 11:00 AM

Broken Arrow vs Bartlesville at 1:30 PM

Winner's Bracket game at 4:00 pm

Loser's Bracket game at 6:30 pm

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Deer Creek Antlers

Overall Record: 23-12
District Record: 12-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
INF Walker Edwards (2026)
INF Mason Phillips (2027) 
C Ryan Hubble (2026)
OF Grant Richards (2026)
RHP Grant Adams (2027)
RHP/INF Hudson Hedrick (2027)
INF Kai Horne (2028)
OF Tristan Tomlin (2027)

Coach McGuire and the Antlers have been as consistent as anyone on their way to a district title of 6A-4 through the 2026 campaign. They have had contributions from numerous players, both on the mound and at the plate, and have seen steady development from an assortment of players into the impactful performers we see today. Offensively, the success has come from doing simple things at a high level and that starts with leadoff man Grant Richards and his high OBP skillset consistently setting the table for the Antler offense. Sophomore Kai Horne continues to develop within the Deer Creek offense, adding strength and showing extra base hit potential to all fields. In the middle, senior Walker Edwards has driven in runs while showing the ability execute using a simple offensive move and disciplined approach. Finally, junior Mason Phillips continues to emerge in a big way with pullside juice, junior Tristan Tomlin's combination of power and speed is impacting games while manning centerfield, and senior backstop Ryan Hubble's toughness shows through both at the dish and as a battery mate to a competitive staff. As for the pitching staff, junior Grant Adams pitchability gives him the chance to beat anyone in the state as he quietly executes at a high level. Junior Hudson Hedrick also makes for a tough matchup with a heavy, sinking fastball that consistently works through the mid 80s and is fearless to attack the zone. Deer Creek is a gritty, tough group that has shown the ability to wear down opposing arms, execute at a high level, and the consistency they have shown throughout 2026 will be a key for a state tourney run.

 

Broken Arrow Tigers

Overall Record: 19-9
District Record: 8-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
C/OF Luke Franks (2027; Oral Roberts)
CF Javen Divine (2026)
SS Jake Lopez (2027)
RHP Riley Rosser (2027)
OF Jasper Reid (2028)
OF/P Jax Gibson (2026)
INF Jaden Sharp (2026; Eastern Oklahoma)
P Jaden Bedford (2026)

Coach Dobson and the Tigers are looking to make another state tourney run and capture the magic they did a year ago as they went on the road and became regional champions. The lineup packs a punch with both returners that have had success in the postseason and upside that can carry them through the postseason. Offensively, sophomore Jasper Reid has a dynamic skillset with the ability to get on base at a high clip and also churn out extra base hits at a high level. Senior Javen Divine executes at a high level, pressures opposing defenses, and has shown the ability tog et on base in front of a potent middle of the order. Junior Luke Franks (Oral Roberts) has been a steady run producer in the middle, power to all fields, and his athleticism shows up on both sides of the ball. Finally, junior Jake Lopez's ability to drive the baseball to all fields and defend at shorstop will be a key to postseason success. On the mound, the Tigers have continued to develop with junior right hander Riley Rosser making things tough on opposing offenses using his size and tilt to make for uncomfortable ABs. The depth of the staff will be a key and that's where guys such as Jax Gibson and Jaden Bedford will need to continue pitching at a high level as they have all year along with 2-way prospects Jasper Reid and Jake Lopez at the backend. The Tigers have an opportunity to once again make noise in regional play with steady pitching and defense, high-end talent in their lineup, and depth that could take them on another state tourney run.

 

Bartlesville Bruins

Overall Record: 20-14
District Record: 6-8

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
RHP/INF Barrett Merciez (2026; Cowley County)
RHP DJ Mba-Thornton (2028)
OF Sam Hill (2026; Allen County CC)
INF/C Braden Neill (2028)
INF/RHP Sam Marcella (2026)
RHP Hudson Baker (2026)

Coach Price and the Bruins are winners of 6 in a row and 7 of 8 as they approach the postseason with a roster composed of balance between veteran leadership and youth looking to make their mark on the regional. Fighting their way through a competitive 6A-4, they are currently playing their best baseball when it matters most. On the mound, right hander DJ Mba-Thornton has won three consecutive Monday outings, including a win over Bixby, that has shown his ability to miss barrels and pitch deep into games. Senior right hander Hudson Baker has turned in similar efforts on Tuesday, attacking the zone, and allowing his defense to make plays behind him. Offensively, sophomores Braden Neill and Gavin Thomas have each impacted games at a high level, especially in the current six game win streak, working at the top of the Bruin lineup. Allen County signee Sam Hill has also been a key contributor working out of the middle of the lineup and contributing on the bump. Similarly, senior Sam Marcella will be called upon to drive in runs from the middle of the order as well as providing depth on the mound if the Bruins make a deep run through the regional. At times an up and down year in 2026, Bartlesville is playing their best and most consistent baseball of the season in all phases, and that consistency could shake up the Deer Creek Regional.

 

Putnam City Pirates

Overall Record: 4-26
District Record: 0-14

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
C/P/INF Bryson Vanover (2027)
3B/OF Jared Potter (2027)
OF Brandon Bennett (2026)
OF/INF MJ Petties (2028)
RHP Justin Knight (2026)
RHP Austin Clifton (2026)

Coach Wood and the Pirates have faced adversity throughout the 2026 season but look to put that behind them and make some noise to shake up the Deer Creek Regional. There is a mix of experience with players that have competed in the postseason in the past along with exciting youth that could impact games. Offensively, sophomore MJ Petties is in the midst of a strong season, hitting .339 with a team leading 2 HRs. Junior Bryson Vanover has been a 2-way talent for the Pirates with a strong .443 OBP that will be needed to upset a higher seed this week. On the mound, senior Justin Knight leads the team with 43 IP and has allowed only 38 hits on the year. His ability to miss barrels will be a big key this week. Further, senior Austin Clifton has logged 30.1 IP on the season and looks to tap into that experience to pair as a valuable 1-2 punch with Knight. Putnam City will look to capture some magic with their returning veteran experience and emerging youth to pull an upset in regional play.

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