-
Drew Qualls (Santa Fe) -
Keaton Ruthardt (Deer Creek)
The Class 6A baseball state tournament is coming to Edmond, and two local teams will compete for a championship.
The Edmond Santa Fe and Deer Creek baseball teams qualified for the state tournament over the weekend by winning their regionals. The quarterfinal and semifinal games will take place at the Edmond Memorial ballpark at Central Middle School on Thursday and Friday.
The 6A championship game will be played in Enid at David Allen Ballpark noon Saturday.
Deer Creek (34-3) will open the state tournament at 10 a.m. Thursday against Bixby. Santa Fe (19-14) will take on Jenks at 4 p.m. Jenks previously defeated the Wolves 4-0 March 19. This will be the first meeting between Bixby and the Antlers.
The winner of Deer Creek’s game will challenge the winner between Mustang and Union at 11 a.m. on Friday. Then, the winner of Santa Fe’s contest will play the winner between Owasso and Yukon.
A game between Deer Creek and Santa Fe is possible in the championship game if both win their first two games.
Deer Creek has dominated all year on the road to state. The Antlers won the District 6A-1 title with a 13-1 record. The Antlers hosted a regional and swept the competition. Deer Creek opened the playoffs by defeating Southmoore 3-0 and Moore 8-0. Deer Creek then defeated Southmoore 7-1 to clinch a spot at state.
Santa Fe finished third in District 6A-2 at 7-4 but picked up its play a bit at regionals. The Wolves had to travel to Westmoore to begin the playoffs but left little doubt. Santa Fe opened by defeating Norman 8-1 before thumping the hosting Jaguars 13-2. Santa Fe finished the regional sweep by beating Norman again 13-1.
With no champion named last year, Santa Fe is still the reigning state champion after winning its first baseball title in 2019. Deer Creek is seeking its first championship.