June 7, 2023 Issue, Page 4 of 18

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AG/Sports 4- The Elk City News June 7, 2023 ECHS Baseball Pitcher named Gatorade Elk City Mudcats Post Oklahoma Athlete of the Year 181 180 Defeats GATORADE CHICAGO — In its 38th at winning and only need to Burkburnett Blacksox year of honoring the nation’s get a couple runs for him to Pl /¢ER OF THE YEAR best high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Kash Mayfield of Elk City close the deal.” Mayfield has maintained a 3.33 GPA in the classroom. 2024 17U, 7-2 Elk City Mudcats Post ning. In the third Cale Poole High School is the 2022-23 He has made a verbal com- 181 180 wins contest against singled on a 0-1 count, scor- Gatorade Oklahoma Baseball mitment to play baseball on Burkburnett Blacksox 2024 ing one run, Max Trotter sin- Player of the Year. Mayfield is scholarship at Oklahoma 170, 7-2 gled on a 1-2 count, scoring the first Gatorade Oklahoma State University beginning in Burkburnett —_Blacksox one run, Alex Aul doubled on Baseball Player of the Year to the fall of 2024. 2024 17U opened up scor- the first pitch of the at bat, be chosen from Elk City High The Gatorade Player of ing in the first inning, when School. the Year program annually Ethan Bowen threw a wild scoring two runs, and Colt The award, which recog- recognizes one winner in the pitch allowing one run across Randall singled on the first nizes not only outstanding District of Columbia and each the plate for Burkburnett pitch of the at bat, scoring athletic excellence, but also of the 50 states that sanction Blacksox 2024 17U. one run, high standards of academic high school football, girls vol- In the bottom of the first Bowen was on the mound achievement and exemplary leyball, boys and girls cross inning, Elk City Mudcats Post for Elk City Mudcats Post 181 character demonstrated on country, boys and girls bas- 181 180 tied things up at 180. The pitcher surrendered and off the field, distinguish- ketball, boys and girls soccer, one. David Cronnister’s sac two runs on four hits over es Mayfield as Oklahoma's baseball, softball, and boys fly scored one run for Elk City seven innings, striking out best high school baseball and girls track & field, and Mudcats Post 181 180. eight. player. Now a finalist for the awards one National Play- After Burkburnett Black- Jayden Hankins was on prestigious Gatorade Nation- er of the Year in each sport. sox 2024 17U scored one run al Baseball Player of the Year The selection process is ad- in the top of the fourth, Elk the pitcher's mound for Burk- award to be announced in ministered by the Gatorade burnett Blacksox 2024 17U. City Mudcats Post 181 180 June, Mayfield joins an elite Player of the Year Selection Drought side of the industry. The fastest The hurler surrendered six answered with one of their thing we can do [for recovery] alumni association of state Committee, which leverages runs on five hits over three own. Burkburnett Blacksox is cut back on cow slaughter. award-winners in 12 sports, experts including coaches, innings, striking out two. Continued from page 3. I think it will drop as we go including Jackson Holliday 2024 17U scored when Jaxon Garrett Salada threw three scouts, media and others as Jimenez grounded out, scor- throughout 2023,” he said. (2021-22, Stillwater High sources to help evaluate and innings out of the bullpen. If a wetter weather pattern School, Okla.), Bobby Witt ing one run. unde and has worked as di- determine the state winners rector of sales and operations continues, pastures and hay Elk City Mudcats Post 181 Randall led Elk City Mud- Jr. (2018-19, Colleybille Her- at Mid America Feeds for 25 fields will produce more forage itage High School, Texas), in each sport. 180 pulled away for good cats Post 181 180 with two years. yields this summer, and pro- Clayton Kershaw (2005-06, Mayfield joins recent Ga- with five runs in the third in- hits in two at bats. ducers can hang on to what's torade Oklahoma Baseball “We're on the edge of stock- left of middle-aged cows and Highland Park High School, er country, but we also have a young Players of the Year Jackson heifers to begin rebuild- Elk City Mudcats Post 181 Texas) and Derek Jeter lot of smaller, mom-and-pop ing herds. Holliday (2021-22, Stillwater operations that rely on hay Oklahoma beef Only then can the (1991-92, Kalamazoo High High School), Jackson Jobe industry begin School, Mich.). The 6-foot-3, 215-pound (2020-21, Heritage Hall), 180 Loses Lead Early in Defeat when they don't have a lot of forage,” Burchett said. to recover. “Producers will rebuild in junior left-handed _ pitcher Cade Horton (2019-20, Nor- Mid America Feeds typi- earnest this fall, and females cally provides feed for about will and center fielder compiled a man High School), and Kale 300,000 head of cattle in be extremely expensive Davis (2018- 19, Westmoore 9-1 record on the mound with Elk City Mudcats Post 181 180 fell behind early and next spring,” Peel said. “That's a 0.75 ERA this past season, High School), among the couldn’t come back in a 15-7 loss to Texoma Baseball on Fri- northeast Oklahoma every day, but drought conditions going to add another challenge leading the Elks to a 34-3 re- state’s list of former award day. Texoma Baseball took the lead on a double in the first earlier this year forced local for the ones who need to buy cord and the Class 4A state winners. inning. producers to cull at least 10% females to rebuild.” semifinals. Mayfield struck Being a Gatorade Player Despite the loss, Elk City Mudcats Post 181 180 did col- Currently, Peel said calf of the Year means paying it of their herds. The reduction in market prices are 40% high- out 109 batters while allow- lect ten hits in the high-scoring affair. Unfortunately, Texo- numbers trickled down to low- er than they were in October ing just 18 hits and walking forward for the next genera- ma Baseball had ten hits on the way to victory. er feed sales at the mill. 2022, and those prices will 13 in 46.2 innings pitched. tion. Through Gatorade’s Play ‘Texoma Baseball got on the board in the first inning when Burchett's cow-calf and jump even more when drought Ranked as the nation’s No. 33 it Forward initiative, every Kreasen Dean doubled on a 3-1 count, scoring one run. stocker operation was also im- conditions subside enough to recruit in the Class of 2024 Player of the Year receives a Elk City Mudcats Post 181 180 notched four runs in the pacted by the drought with di- the point that cows and heifers by Prep Baseball Report, he grant to give to one of Gato- minished pond water, hay and are pulled off the market and third inning. Tanner Taylor, David Cronnister, and Ethan posted a .364 batting average rade’s social impact partners, Bowen all contributed in the big inning with RBIs. forage. The Burchett family retained on the ranch. supporting Gatorade’s am- pregnancy checked cows and with five home runs, 38 runs Texoma Baseball scored six runs in the third inning. Tex- High prices are a good heifers, culling 10% to 20% thing in theory, but for those scored, 43 RBI and a .611 on- bition to fuel the future of oma Baseball offense in the inning was led by Garrett Mur- of the herd. Average weaning ranchers who had to liquidate base percentage. sport. To date, Gatorade Play- ray, Grey Johnson, Dean, and Jordan Jacoba, all driving in weights dropped, and fewer and now want to get back in A member of his local er of the Year winners’ grants runs in the frame. cows bred back from the pre- the game, the price to play will chapter of the Fellowship of have totaled more than $3.5 #25 led things off on the pitcher's mound for Texoma vious year. A dry, barren land- be very expensive. Christian Athletes, Mayfield million across more than scape began to affect the live- 1,300 organizations. Baseball. undefined allowed ten hits and seven runs over five “High input costs and has volunteered locally as a innings, striking out three. stock that lived on it, drought impacts mean a little youth baseball coach and has For nearly 40 years, Gato- “We were watering a large bit slower recovery process donated his time to multiple rade has honored high school Braedon Sizemore started the game for Elk City Mudcats percentage of our animals on than the last drought,” Peel community service initiatives athletes at the top of their Post 181 180. Sizemore went two innings, allowing six runs city water, which because we said, referring to the drought through his church. “Kash is game as teammates, support- on four hits and striking out three. Jace Shipley and Alex live next to a large lake wasn’t from 2011 to 2013. “We had an issue, but we would have two years of high cattle pric- a special kid on the mound,” ing their communities and Aul entered the game as relief, throwing one and two-thirds had to reduce numbers due to es in 2014 and 2015, but this said Cory Miller, head coach achieving academic success. innings and one-third of an inning respectively. water needs,” he said. of Weatherford High School. From CEOs and coaches to Elk City Mudcats Post 181 180 saw the ball well today, time around, we'll see a rela- But in February, Burchett’s tively elevated cattle price sit- “He has great command of all star athletes and community racking up ten hits in the game. Cronnister, Kasen LeGrand, area of northeast Oklahoma uation for an extended period the pitches he throws. Any- leaders, Gatorade Player of and Max Trotter all had multiple hits for Elk City Mudcats received a lifesaving rain that oftime.” time he's on the mound for the Year winners showcase Post 181 180. Cronnister went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead filled some ponds and allevi- Tighter supplies, higher Elk, they have a great chance the power of sport. Elk City Mudcats Post 181 180 in hits. ated the drought’s intensity. prices Timely showers also fell in While ranchers watch the March and April, and now Bur- skies for rain, beef consumers Canute Varsity Trojan Can’t Catch chett is developing a pasture can expect to feel the effects recovery plan after two years of a drought-stricken industry. of poor forage yields. Beef production is expected to “We're going to top dress slow. Supplies will tighten, and our pasture more for a quicker shoppers will pay higher prices healing process,” Burchett said. for beef. “Even in drought years, we “Next year and beyond, didn’t skip on weed spray. You we're going to make a decreas- Up To Arapaho-Butler want every little bit of mois- ing supply of beef even smaller, ture to go to grass, and we've because to increase production Canute Varsity Trojan fell the offense in the second cluded #4, #25, and #31, who relief, throwing two innings fertilized a little now that it’s long term, we will have to save behind early and couldn't inning. #9 singled on a 0-1 all drove in runs. and two innings respectively. more affordable.” heifers,” Peel said. “You can’t come back in a 10-6 loss to count, scoring one run. #16 led things off on the Canute Varsity Trojan tal- ‘The countdown to recovery fix things fast - this industry Arapaho butler on Tuesday. Canute Varsity Trojan pitcher’s mound for Arapa- lied six hits on the day. Lucas, Improving weather condi- turns slowly” Arapaho-Butler took the lead tallied five runs in the sixth ho-Butler. The ace went five Jake Knutson, and Simpson tions are chipping away at the Peel said current retail beef on a single in the second in- inning. Canute Varsity Tro- innings, allowing one run on each had multiple hits for broader area of drought, but prices have been steady for the ning. jan big bats were led by Luke three hits and striking out 12. Canute Varsity Trojan. Simp- drought recovery takes years, past 15 to 18 months. As cat- Despite the loss, Canute Spitz, Dillon Lucas, and Clay Randall toed the rub- son, Knutson, and Lucas each said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma tle inventory drops to recover Varsity Trojan did collect six Brance Simpson, who each ber for Canute Varsity Trojan. collected two hits to lead Can- State University Extension from the drought, consumers hits in the high-scoring affair. had RBIs in the inning. ‘The right-hander surrendered ute Varsity Trojan. livestock marketing specialist. should expect higher prices at Unfortunately, Arapaho-But- Arapaho butler — scored one run on two hits over three Arapaho-Butler tallied In his latest segment on SUN- the meat counter. ler had seven hits on the way four runs in the sixth inning. innings, striking out one and seven hits in the game. #9 UP, OSU Agriculture's weekly “We're setting ourselves up to victory. Arapaho-Butler batters con- walking zero, Nate Bryant and #8 all collected multiple production agriculture tele- for better conditions in 2024. vision show, Peel said 54% of ‘That's the earliest I would ex- Arapaho-Butler fired up tributing to the big inning in- and Spitz entered the game as. hits for Arapaho-Butler. Oklahoma pastures are still in pect to see the tightest squeeze poor condition. on cattle sold at market,” Peel “It’s highly unlikely that said. we could stop herd liquidation ‘As summer grilling season completely,” Peel said. “It’s de- begins, consumers should take Canute High School names new baseball coach ceiving - pastures look green, note oftheir grocery bill during but producers tell me there’s the next few months. Chances Canute Public Schools *Overall record: 667-400 “Sooner State Games ers not a lot of growth. Unless we would like to welcome Mr. are that the cost of a steak or *Oklahoma Baseball Coach 1996 “24 District Champion- get a lot of follow-up mois- ground hamburger will cost Bobby Blackburn to our staff Coaches Association Hall of *WOBCA All-Star Coach: 5 ships ture within the next couple of even more next year as Okla- for the 2023-2024 school Fame Inductee 2013 times months, we'll still see a some- homa endures the painstaking year. Mr. Blackburn will be *Oklahoma Coaches Asso- *Lawton All-Area Coach: 4 *7 Conference Champion- what limited forage season.” process of drought recovery. the new head baseball coach ciation President 2017-2018, times ships During the first half of OSU Extension uses re- 2023, cow and heifer slaugh- search-based information to along with being on the fac- VP. 2016-2017, Board Mem- *National District 5 Coach *Served on 9 All-State se- ter has climbed as producers help all Oklahomans solve lo- ulty as a teacher. Go Trojans! ber 2010-2014, 3 term board of the Year 2011 lection committees reduced numbers. During a cal issues and concerns, pro- *38 years-35 head coach member *Region 4 Coach of the “Cordell Teacher of the drought, more female cattle mote leadership and manage *1985-1990: Walters Pub- “All-State Coach 1997 Year: 2 times are sent to market, a key indi- resources wisely throughout lic Schools *Conference Coach of the *State Tournament: 2 Year 1997 cator of desperate times, Peel the state’s 77 counties. Most "1991 to present: Cordell Year: 7 times times *Class 2A Baseball State said, information is available at lit- “It’s all related to the female tle to no cost. Public Schools “Jr. Sunbelt Coach 2003 “Coached 6 All-State play- Academic Champions: 5 times