Despite an up-and-down start to the season, the Haileyville Warriors are ready to put their young talent on display on their home field in this year’s Pitt 8 Tournament.
Haileyville (3-5, 2-5 Pitt 8) last won a tournament game in 2022 against Pittsburg. Coach Roy West said he is optimistic the team will show improvement as the season progresses.
“We’re kind of hit and miss this year and we got started a little later this year,” West said. “We’re starting to come around a little bit, it’s just been a little slow getting started.”
West highlighted sophomore pitcher and third baseman Kyzer Emberton, who West said has been playing extremely well to start the year. Emberton has struck out 30 batters and leads the team in hits and RBI with nine in both categories.
“He is throwing the ball really well and he’s really coming on from the fall ball,” West said. “He’s my best pitcher right now, and probably my best hitter and he is playing the best for me right now.”
The six seed Warriors will first take on three-seed Crowder for the second time this season. Haileyville fell 13-1 at home March 3, but West said regardless of their record, his team, made up of mostly underclassmen, is hungry to learn.
“I just want to see them keep improving, play the game with a good attitude and get stronger,” West said. “We’re all young, so I just want to see them keep getting stronger, enjoy the game and be successful.”
Haileyville’s first-round rematch against Crowder will start 3 p.m. Thursday.
