OK Preseason Preview: Enid
January 21, 2022
The Oklahoma high school baseball season kicks off on Feb. 21 for A-B, and March 1 for 2A-6A. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2022 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Oklahoma Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
We’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.
Our 2022 preseason coverage continues today. 
Team: Enid
2021 Record: 23-13
Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Brad Gore
Years at the Helm: 7
OUTLOOK
The Plainsmen entered the 2021 season with a younger roster and took their lumps early starting the season 3-10 through the first 13 games. Then Coach Gore's bunch flipped the script in a big way finishing the year winning 19 out of their final 20 games taking down some of the State's most talented squads along the way. The Plainsmen will look to pick up the production lost from Blake Priest, Garrett Brooks, and Kade Goeke who all played significant roles on last year's squad. Coach Gore put a large amount of trust into some of the younger players in the program last season and should play dividends looking forward. The Enid roster has multiple talented underclassmen that have shown the ability to put up strong numbers at the biggest stage and we look for them to take another step forward. Heading into the 2022 campaign Enid boasts a solid defense and will have multiple arms that attack hitters with command. The Plainsmen will need a few players without Varsity experience to fill the gap between their proven performers to make another magical run in 2022.
Impact PLAYERS
Garrett Shull, 2024, SS/RHP, Oklahoma State commit
Shull put up one of the best seasons as a Freshman in Enid HS history with a .387 average with an eye-popping 17 doubles, 4 homers, and a team leading 45 RBI. The OSU commit is one of the top ranked players in the 2024 class across the nation and backs that ranking up with high skills to go along with in game production. The switch-hitter has a smooth stroke from both sides of the plate without a major weakness to either side. He shows the ability to drive the ball all over the yard and should project for true power as he continues to get stronger. Defensively he handles the ball well up the middle with smooth routes and actions and enough arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield in the future. Look for Shull to continue to carry a big load offensively for the Plainsmen in 2022 with even more polish than his impressive Freshman campaign.
Kennedy has a projectable build with an improving arsenal that put up big numbers for the Plainsmen in 2021. During the 2021 campaign Kennedy worked a 5-2 record with a 1.86 ERA as a Sophomore and gained valuable experience that should project him to an even better 2022 season. Enid will look for him to provide front-line starts and take the ball against the State's best on Monday or Tuesday nights. Kennedy will use his mid 80's fastball and solid three pitch mix to attack hitters and log big innings for the Plainsmen.
Jake Kennedy (9/19/20)
Garrett Shull wasn't the only Freshman for the Plainsmen that had a big campaign in their first year on Varsity. Hartling collected hits in bunches using his strong rotational stroke from the left side working to a .411 average and 22 RBI. Hartling shows a unique ability to control the barrel in the zone and be on time with the fastball. Look for him to provide solid defense behind the plate as well as be a big run producer in the middle of the Plainsmen order.
GUYS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Aydan Voitik, 2022, OF, NOC Enid commit
Make sure to follow @PBR_Oklahoma on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2022 season.
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