Duncan returns seven players who were in its lineup or pitched during its 2022 run to win the 5A state championship.
“We are fresh off a(n) incredible state title run in 2022 and looking to build off that success,” Duncan coach Grant Oliver says. “We believe we have a very strong three-man rotation on the mound that all pitched big innings for us last season. We have a very strong lineup with six guys returning… We will look to try and replace several key pieces that we lost and hope to have another strong season.”
Chago Barham, a junior, hit .460 with 58 RBI and 20 doubles as a sophomore while earning All-State-Tournament recognition from The Oklahoman.
“(Barham) was an incredible player last year for us and is looking to only improve taking the field as a junior this year. He is a kid that everyone looks up to on the diamond,” Oliver says. “He is an absolutely incredible baseball player.”
Brance Garrett (Sr.) is a “true ace on the mound,” Oliver says. Garrett led the Demons to a 2-0 shutout over Bishop Kelley in the state quarterfinal last spring.
“He (Garrett) is looking to build off his 8-2 junior campaign and be even better his senior year. He had an unbelievable .944 ERA as a junior,” Oliver says. “He is a fun kid to coach and takes care of his business on and off the field.”
After closing both the semifinal and championship games as just a freshman, sophomore Eli Ramirez is expected to “burst on the scene in a big way.”
“He had an incredible 44 strikeouts in only 20 innings pitched. He was also a menace at the plate. In only 23 ABs, he hit. 348 with two home runs and 11 RBI,” Oliver says.
And Oliver calls Bryson Brooksher (Sr.) “one of the most fun kids to coach.”
“You wish a lot of kids would have the work ethic (Brooksher) does. While all that, he is also an incredible baseball player,” Oliver says. “He started nearly every game for us in centerfield last year while hitting leadoff.”
The Demons open the preseason with a scrimmage against Cache at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16 and open the regular season on the road against Edmond North at 5:30 Thursday, March 2.
