While it is not highly unusual to see multiple players from the same high school baseball team playing in the annual Junior Sunbelt Classic, Guthrie High School had an unusual three players playing in the elite field.
Reed Roberts, Jacob Chappell and Blaze Hastings represented GHS in the 19th annual Sunbelt Classic.
Jacob Chappell, Reed Roberts and Blaze Hastings represented Oklahoma teams as they competed against some of the best incoming high school seniors in the nation from Tennessee, Georgia, Missouri, Texas, Arizona, Canada, Mississippi and Colorado.
The Sunbelt celebrated its 19th season as the games are played in McAlester and Wilburton.
Chappell played for Oklahoma Gold while Roberts and Hastings each played for Oklahoma Blue in the six-day event. This was the second straight year for Chappell to play in the Sunbelt.
Chappell, who has already been offered by Oklahoma State, showed why he was among the elite with his defensive skills at shortstop for Gold, who beat Mississippi, 12-11, in the medal game on Wednesday.
Chappell and Carl Albert’s Gavin Lavalley were named Oklahoma Gold All-Stars for their efforts.
Despite only winning two games, both against Canada, Oklahoma Blue was an improved team from past seasons and a big part of that came from Roberts at the plate and Hastings on the mound.
Roberts, who played catcher and outfield, was hitting the ball on the screws as he batted in the three-hole position for Blue. Even when Roberts was retired, he was found hitting the ball hard against top-notch pitching.
Along with his offense, Roberts displayed his arms as he threw out would be base stealers from his normal catching position. However, Roberts was put in right field, which he has never played in Guthrie, as his bat was somehow needed in the lineup for Team Blue. That did not stop Roberts from showing off his right arm as a Tennessee player decided to test Roberts on a deep foul ball from third base. Roberts unleashed the ball and threw out the base runner at the plate.
Hastings saw time at first base and on the mound. Against Tennessee, Hastings pitched two and a thirds innings in relief and held down the two-time champions.
Perhaps, one of the most intriguing part of the game came when Hastings struck out Deion Sanders. Yes, professional football and baseball star Deion Sanders’ son.
The right-hander was clocked in the middle 80’s with his fastball.
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