Five Sulphur Bulldogs received All-District recognitions. Seniors Luke Linville and Cash Matlack and freshman Carter Cole made the first team for District 4A-3. Seniors Jett Runyan and Kaden Seitz received honorable mentions.
Luke Linville played third base and pitcher.
His season batting average was .412, with 49 runs batted in and 5 home runs hit. Linville had a fielding percentage of .973 with 4 double plays.
“I like how challenging baseball is,” he said. “If you succeed 30% of the time, you’re pretty good.”
Linville will attend Southern Nazarene University where he plans to play both football and baseball and study sports management and exercise science.
Linville’s favorite player is Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager.
“He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done - really efficient,” Linville said.
Cash Matlack played centerfield for the Bulldogs.
“This season brought the team closer together as a whole and built strong relationships within,” Matlack said.
Matlack ended the season with a batting average of .348 and 18 runs batted in. In the field, he had a fielding percentage of .947.
“I like how baseball is a calm sport. It relaxes me from everything in my life,” Matlack said.
Matlack will be attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University to continue his academic career.
“This year of sports was a high note to end on,” he said.
His favorite player is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.
“He exemplifies the right way to play baseball,” Matlack said.
Carter Cole pitches and plays in the outfield.
Cole had a 1.0 fielding percentage for the season. His batting average was .337, with 24 runs batted in and 4 home runs.
“I’ve played my whole life,” Cole said. “It’s my main sport. I was born into it.”
Cole hopes to play baseball at a Division I college and, if possible, the MLB.
“It’s what I’m best at, and I’m using my ability to see if I can go to the next level,” Cole said.
The New York Yankees are his favorite team, with current right fielder Aaron Judge as his favorite player.
“I grew up watching him,” Cole said. “I wanted to be a power hitter like him, and he’s in the outfield like me, so I want to make my game like his.”
Jett Runyan played third base. He had a fielding percentage of .841.
Kaden Seitz played left field. He had a fielding percentage of .903.
