Titan baseball squad undefeated at 5-0

Carl Albert’s Chevin Noone has been hot at the plate with 13 hits in 19 appearances for a .722 batting average through five games. The Titans have shut out four of their five opponents so far. As a team, the Titans have hit 13 home runs. (File Photo)

Jackets, Bombers scheduled to play in Edmond Festival Friday, Saturday

Carl Albert Titan baseball coach Wayne Dozier knows the challenges his team faces despite jumping out to a 5-0 record with four shutouts.

“It doesn’t matter how you start, but how you finish,” the Titan skipper said. “There have been years when we started 2-4 or 2-5 and finished with 36 wins.”

But so far, Dozier said he’s pleased with the hitting and pitching performances.

Junior Chevin Noone has been on fire at the plate, hitting safely 13 out of 19 times for a .722 batting average. As a team, the Titans have hit 13 home runs in five games. Leading the power hitters is University of Oklahoma signee Taylor Hawkins with three round trippers.

“We have a bunch of guys hitting with power,” Dozier said.

The Titan pitchers haven’t slacked off, either. As if Noone weren’t contributing enough, he shut down Lawton Ike, and teammate Randy Allen tossed a two-hitter against Dale, Class 2A’s top-ranked team. Allen allowed two hits and walked one batter as Carl Albert rolled to a 7-0 victory.

In addition, Tony Moore came out of the bullpen to earn a save against the OKC Broncos, and Hawkins has recorded two wins on the mound.

“So far, we’ve limited our walks and we’re making people earn their runs,” Dozier said. “Of the five runs the Broncos scored, four were unearned. Other than that, we’ve been playing sound defense, too. It’s nice to get off to a good start.”

So far, Carl Albert has recorded 12-0 and 14-0 wins over Lawton Ike, defeated Western Heights 10-0 and downed the Broncos, 13-5.

Yellowjackets stand 4-3

Consistency has been the biggest issue facing Choctaw so far this season, said head coach Mark Craft. Choctaw, 4-3 overall and 4-2 in district play, suffered a defensive breakdown in its loss to Edmond Memorial last week.

“We didn’t play up to our ability,” Craft said. “The key thing for us is consistency as far as what to expect when we show up at the ball park.”

Although unhappy with the loss to Edmond Memorial, Craft said he’s getting solid production from hitters and pitchers.

Senior hurler Dalton Viner has a teamleading 1.08 earned run average while senior Chip Anderson has a 1.66 ERA through 12 2/3 innings.

At the plate, senior first baseman Matt Richardson is the team leader with a .500 batting average along with 11 RBI and three home runs. Sophomore Kyle Henderson is hitting .450 while five other Jackets are hitting above .300.

J.J. Whitney is at .353 while Kyle Garcia, fresh off his state wrestling championship, is hitting at a .348 clip. Tyler Rapp is hitting .346, J.T. Baker is at .333 and Reggie Wright is batting .312.

Edmond tournament

Choctaw and Midwest City will compete in the Edmond Memorial Festival beginning Friday provided the rain and storms subside.

The Yellowjackets will play at Edmond North noon Friday against Mustang, and then play Southmoore at 2:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Jackets will play at Edmond Memorial against Greenwood, Ark., at 2:30 p.m. followed by a 5 p.m. matchup against Westmoore.

Midwest City’s tournament schedule was not available at press time.

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Choctaw pitcher Dalton Viner leads the Yellowjackets in innings pitched (13), and earned run average at 1.08. Dalton, a senior, is considered the ace of the Jacket pitching rotation. (File Photo)

Choctaw first baseman Matt Richardson takes a throw during action against Edmond Memorial last season. The Jackets are 4-3 overall. (File Photo)