Great American Conference (GAC) Tournament Preview
- Robert Frey
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
It's playoff time in the Great American Conference! Eight teams punch their tickets to Enid, Oklahoma, ready to battle it out at the David Allen Ballpark for the GAC Tournament crown and the automatic bid to the NCAA Central Regional. The action kicks off Thursday, May 1st, and runs through Sunday, May 4th, for the opening rounds.
This year brings a significant format change. Gone are the days of the opening weekend best-of-three series hosted by the top four seeds. Instead, we now have two intense, four-team double-elimination brackets played entirely in Enid during the first weekend. The winners emerging from each of those brackets will then advance to a final best-of-three championship series, hosted by the highest remaining seed, from May 9th to May 11th.
It’s a setup designed for drama, testing depth and resilience right from the start. Which team will navigate the bracket gauntlet and hoist the trophy?
For the most up-to-date schedule, scores, and live coverage links throughout the tournament, be sure to check the official GAC Championship page: https://greatamericanconference.com/sports/2025/1/30/2025-GAC-BSB-CHAMPIONSHIPS.aspx/
Let's dive into the matchups and see who has the edge heading into Enid!
#1 Seed Arkansas Tech
Arkansas Tech snagged the No. 1 seed in the GAC Tournament after a strong conference showing, finishing with a 23-9 record in league play after their sweep of Harding to claim the title. Their overall record stands at 29-19. They'll kick off their tournament run against the No. 8 seed, Southeastern Oklahoma State, on Thursday at 1:00 PM central in Enid.
Team Highlights:
The Wonder Boys showcase some notable strengths across the board:
Hitting for Average: They rank in the Top 5 in the GAC for team batting average, hitting .303 as a squad.
Speed Kills: Watch out on the basepaths! Tech leads the entire conference in stolen bases, swiping 106 bags this season.
Flashing the Leather: Tech boasts the best fielding percentage in the GAC at .975.
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Tyler Sardelli: Sardelli is mashing. He boasts a .377 batting average and an impressive 1.112 OPS
Christian Olea: Olea is hitting a strong .360.
Cole Dawson: Dawson is hitting over .400 (.401 BA) and is a menace on the bases with 21 stolen bases.
Simon Murray: Murray brings speed with 23 stolen bases
Sawyer Duddleston: While others have higher averages, Duddleston is the team's RBI leader, driving in 44 runs this season.
Pitching:
Daniel Hutchison leads the qualifying starters with a 4.90 ERA over 68.0 innings.
Keep an eye on reliever JT Cafferty. At 20.0 innings, he stands out with a stellar 3.15 ERA and a solid 2.67 strikeout-to-walk (K/BB) ratio.
Arkansas Tech rolls into Enid as the top seed with a potent offense known for hitting and aggressive baserunning, backed by the best defense in the conference. They'll look for players like Sardelli, Olea, and Dawson to lead the charge at the plate, while hoping their pitching staff, potentially leaning on arms like Hutchison and Cafferty in key spots, can navigate the tournament pressure.
#2 Seed Southern Arkansas
Southern Arkansas locked down the No. 2 seed for the GAC Tournament in Enid, posting a solid 22-11 record in conference action and going 30-19 overall. They'll open their tournament campaign in Bracket 2 against No. 7 seed Northwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 PM central.
Team Highlights:
The Muleriders have leaned heavily on their pitching and defense this season:
Strong Arms: The pitching staff ranks among the Top 3 in the GAC for team ERA (5.30).
Missin' Bats: They rack up the strikeouts, ranking in the Top 5 in the conference (2nd with 392 Ks).
Limiting Damage: Opponents find it tough to square up SAU pitching, as the team holds the 2nd lowest batting average against (.262) in the league.
Hosing Runners: They lead the GAC in caught stealing percentage, throwing out over 41% of would-be base stealers.
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Trace Shoup: Shoup has been a dynamic force, hitting for a high average (.351) while showing impressive pop (11 HR) and overall production (1.043 OPS).
Brandon Nicoll: Nicoll provides significant power in the middle of the order, leading the team with 14 home runs.
Lee Matsuzaki: Matsuzaki has been clutch, leading the Muleriders by driving in 45 runs this season.
Pitching:
Jeremy Adorno: Adorno has been a workhorse ace for the Muleriders, boasting a low ERA (3.32) over a team-high 86.2 innings pitched.
Austin Adair: Coming out of the bullpen, Adair has been exceptional, posting a minuscule 2.49 ERA and demonstrating great control with a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio across 43.1 innings.
Southern Arkansas brings a potent pitching staff and a knack for controlling the running game to the GAC tournament. While the offense hasn't ranked near the top of the league overall, players like Shoup and Nicoll provide serious home run threats, and Matsuzaki consistently drives runs in. Look for their strong arms, particularly Adorno and Adair, to set the tone as they chase a GAC title.
#3 Seed Arkansas-Monticello
The Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils secured the No. 3 seed in the GAC Tournament after finishing 21-12 in conference play, part of a 30-19 overall campaign. They are slated to face the No. 6 seed, Henderson State, in the late game on Thursday night, scheduled for an 8:00 PM central first pitch in Enid.
Team Highlights:
UAM brings a balanced attack with strengths on both sides of the ball:
Productive Offense: The Weevils boast one of the Top 5 team OPS marks in the GAC (tied for 2nd with a 0.915 OPS).
Patient at the Plate: They lead the entire conference in walks, drawing 271 free passes this season.
Quality Pitching: Their pitching staff has been effective, ranking with the 2nd best team ERA in the GAC (5.16 ERA).
Strikeout Capable: UAM's arms also rank in the Top 5 for team strikeouts (5th with 340 strikeouts).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Chaz Poppy: Poppy has been a standout, hitting for a very high average (.391 BA), getting on base and slugging at an impressive clip (1.109 OPS), and leading the team by driving in 53 RBI.
Justin Santoyo: Santoyo is another key offensive piece, hitting .376 BA with excellent overall offensive production (1.101 OPS).
Kirk Woolf: Woolf adds another potent bat with a very high 1.097 OPS, showing he can hit for average and power.
Roc Hawthorne: Hawthorne provides speed on the basepaths for the Weevils, successfully stealing 22 bases.
Pitching:
Maxim Mrakovcic: Mrakovcic has logged significant innings (70.1 IP) while demonstrating good command with a solid 2.52 K/BB ratio with a 3.84 ERA.
Connor Irvine: Irvine leads the team in innings pitched (75.2 IP), serving as a durable rotation anchor with a 4.28 ERA.
Nelson Mercado: Mercado has missed a lot of bats out of the bullpen, posting a high strikeout rate (32.6%) over 32.2 innings pitched.
Nathan McManus: McManus has been effective in relief over 21.1 IP, sporting a low 3.38 ERA and a strong 3.4 K/BB ratio.
Arkansas-Monticello enters the tournament with a patient, productive offense (0.915 OPS ) and a pitching staff that ranks among the league's best in ERA (5.16 ERA). With multiple hitters performing at a high level, led by Poppy (.391 BA) and Santoyo (.376 BA), and dependable arms like Mrakovcic (70.1 IP) and Irvine (75.2 IP) eating innings, the Boll Weevils look poised to make noise in Enid.
#4 Seed Harding
Harding finished the conference slate at 21-12, earning them the No. 4 seed in the tournament with a 34-16 overall record. They'll get things started early in Bracket 1, facing off against No. 5 seed Ouachita Baptist in the tournament's opening game on Thursday morning at 9:30 AM central.
Team Highlights:
The Bisons' success this season has been built on a foundation of outstanding pitching and solid defense:
Patient Approach: Harding ranks 2nd in the GAC in walks drawn (262 walks).
Dominant Pitching: This is where Harding truly shines. They boast the lowest team ERA in the conference (4.80 ERA), lead the league in strikeouts (412 SO), hold opponents to the lowest batting average against (.258 BAA), and possess the GAC's best strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.69 K/BB).
Solid Defense: They are sound defensively, ranking in the Top 3 in fielding percentage (.971 FLD%).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Logan Lacey: Lacey has been the offensive catalyst, hitting for a high average (.352 BA), producing significant power (12 HR), achieving a superb overall production level (1.128 OPS), and leading the team with 49 RBI.
Pitching:
Maddox Long: Long has anchored the rotation with exceptional results, posting an incredibly low 1.67 ERA over 86.1 innings pitched, missing plenty of bats (30.9% K%), and demonstrating elite command (4.57 K/BB ratio).
Javier Lobo: Lobo has been stellar out of the bullpen or in spot starts, maintaining a low 2.58 ERA and a strong 3.36 K/BB ratio over 38.1 innings.
Preston Tabor: Tabor provides quality innings (56.2 IP) and exhibits good control with a 2.76 K/BB ratio.
Austin Jobe: Jobe contributes effectively over 40.0 innings pitched, also showing good command with a 3.55 K/BB ratio.
Harding rides into the GAC Tournament propelled by arguably the best pitching staff in the league, leading in ERA (4.73), strikeouts (409), opponent average (.258), and K/BB ratio (2.69). While the offense relies heavily on standout Logan Lacey (.352 BA, 12 HR, 1.128 OPS), the sheer dominance of their pitching, led by Maddox Long (1.67 ERA), makes them a formidable opponent for anyone in Enid.
#5 Seed Ouachita Baptist
Ouachita Baptist comes into the tournament as the No. 5 seed, having navigated conference play with a 20-13 record and finishing just above .500 overall at 24-23. They have an early start on Thursday, May 1st, kicking off the entire tournament against the No. 4 seed, Harding, at 9:30 AM central in Game 1 of Bracket 1.
Team Highlights:
The Tigers have shown strengths on the mound and defensively:
Sitting Batters Down: The pitching staff ranks in the Top 5 in the GAC for total strikeouts, fanning 386 batters (3rd).
Clean Defense: They play solid defense, tying for the 2nd best fielding percentage in the conference (.971 FLD%).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Isaac Nowell: Nowell has been a key hitter, posting a high batting average (.354 BA) and excellent overall production (1.012 OPS).
Wesley Scott: Scott brings a dynamic combination of on-base ability, slugging (1.015 OPS), and speed (26 SB).
Garrett Graham: Graham has been the primary run producer, leading the Tigers with 46 RBI.
Pitching:
Chase Oberle: Oberle has been the ace, sporting a low 3.19 ERA with outstanding command (4.6 K/BB ratio) over a hefty 87.1 innings pitched.
Tag Pacot: Pacot misses a lot of bats out of the bullpen (33.2% K%) and maintains a good strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.54 K/BB) across 41.1 innings.
Kyzer Smith: Smith provides quality innings (56.0 IP) with a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.75 K/BB).
Luke House: House is another innings eater (72.1 IP) who shows good command (2.61 K/BB).
Ouachita Baptist relies on its pitching depth, particularly the front-line arm of Chase Oberle (3.19 ERA), and its ability to rack up strikeouts (386 SO). While the offense isn't among the league leaders overall, Isaac Nowell (.354 BA) and Wesley Scott (1.015 OPS) provide significant sparks. They'll look to ride their pitching and defense against Harding in the opener.
#6 Seed Henderson State
Henderson State enters the postseason as the No. 6 seed, finishing with a 20-13 record in GAC play and a 28-20 mark overall. They'll face a tough test in their opening game, matching up against the No. 3 seed, Arkansas-Monticello, in the final game on Thursday, May 1st, with an 8:00 PM central start time.
Team Highlights:
The Reddies bring a potent offense and solid defense to the tournament:
Hitting Well: Henderson State ranks in the Top 5 in the GAC for team batting average (tied for 3rd at .304 BA).
Offensive Production: They also rank in the Top 5 for team OPS (5th with a .879 OPS).
Pitching Strikeouts: Their pitching staff sits in the Top 5 for total strikeouts (4th with 370 SO).
Strong Defense: Defensively, they are among the league's best, ranking in the Top 3 in fielding percentage (tied for 2nd at .971 FLD%) and boasting the 2nd best caught stealing percentage (30.8 CS%).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Alex Galvan: Galvan swings a hot bat, hitting for a high average (.363 BA).
Luke Farrar: Farrar provides significant offensive impact with impressive overall production (1.021 OPS) and power (14 HR).
Jeremy Schork: Schork is another major threat, boasting a high OPS (1.108 OPS), significant power (16 HR), and leading the team in runs driven in (55 RBI).
Pitching:
Payton Byrd: Byrd has been exceptional out of the bullpen, posting a very low 2.12 ERA, missing a high percentage of bats (31.7% K%), and demonstrating excellent control (5.0 K/BB ratio) over 34.0 innings.
Tyler Bates: Bates is another reliable relief arm with a low 2.43 ERA and good command (2.75 K/BB ratio) across 29.2 innings.
Dawson Goines: Goines contributes effectively over 26.2 innings pitched with a solid 3.18 K/BB ratio.
Henderson State comes into Enid with an offense capable of putting up runs (Top 5 in BA and OPS) and a defense that doesn't give away outs easily (.971 FLD%). While their overall team ERA isn't among the league leaders, they possess standout relief options like Payton Byrd (2.12 ERA) and Tyler Bates (2.43 ERA) to shorten games. Their potent lineup, featuring Farrar (1.021 OPS) and Schork (1.108 OPS), will look to provide enough run support against Arkansas-Monticello.
#7 Seed Northwestern Oklahoma State
The Rangers enter the GAC Tournament as the No. 7 seed, finishing the year 17-16 in conference play and 30-20 overall. Their tournament journey begins in Bracket 2 against a tough opponent, the No. 2 seed Southern Arkansas, on Thursday afternoon, May 1st, at 4:30 PM central.
Team Highlights:
NWOSU's strength lies in their offense:
League's Best Average: The Rangers boast the highest team batting average in the GAC, hitting .318 as a squad.
High Offensive Production: They also rank in the Top 5 in team OPS (tied for 2nd with a .915 OPS).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Dylan Bradford: Bradford has hit consistently all season, posting a high .360 batting average.
Connor Green: Green is another Ranger swinging a hot bat with a .358 batting average.
Chad Green: Green brings significant overall production to the lineup with a stellar 1.103 OPS.
Carson Wright: Wright supplies the power, hitting 11 home runs and leading the team with 52 RBI.
Pitching:
Will Kates: Kates has been the workhorse ace, logging 71.2 innings pitched while maintaining a very impressive 2.64 ERA.
Dawson Toborg: Toborg has shown good command out of the bullpen across 37.0 innings pitched with a 2.91 K/BB ratio.
Colby Mitchell: Mitchell also demonstrates solid control over 30.2 innings pitched, sporting a 2.73 K/BB ratio.
Northwestern Oklahoma State brings the GAC's top-hitting offense (.318 BA) into the tournament, hoping to slug their way through the bracket. While their pitching and defense don't rank near the top of the conference overall, they have a standout ace in Will Kates (2.64 ERA) capable of shutting down any lineup. They'll need their bats to stay hot against Southern Arkansas in their opening matchup.
#8 Seed Southeastern Oklahoma State
Southeastern Oklahoma State grabbed the No. 8 seed for the GAC Tournament in Enid after finishing the conference season at 16-17, part of a 21-28 overall record. As the final seed, they draw the top seed, Arkansas Tech, in their opening game in Bracket 1 on Thursday, May 1st, at 1:00 PM central.
Team Highlights:
The Savage Storm's identity is built around their powerful offense:
Hitting for Average: SEOSU ranks 2nd in the GAC in team batting average (.305 BA).
League-Leading Production: They lead the entire conference with the highest team OPS (.964 OPS).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Chase Keeton: Keeton has put together a massive season, hitting for a very high average (.396 BA), providing significant power (15 HR), and leading the team with an exceptional 1.270 OPS.
Wesley Mitchell: Mitchell is another huge offensive weapon, hitting .375 BA, leading the team in home runs (19 HR) and RBI (54 RBI), and posting a stellar 1.194 OPS.
Brady Evans: Evans adds more pop to the lineup with 11 HR and a strong 1.021 OPS.
Pitching:
Cody Pfeffer has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen. Over 35.0 innings, he leads qualifying pitchers with a 4.89 ERA and a solid 3.33 K/BB ratio.
Southeastern Oklahoma State brings arguably the most dangerous offense to Enid, leading the GAC in OPS (.964) and ranking second in batting average (.305). The tandem of Chase Keeton (1.270 OPS) and Wesley Mitchell (1.194 OPS) provides incredible production and power. Their challenge will be navigating the tournament with a pitching staff that hasn't ranked among the league's best (7.97 team ERA). They'll need their bats to carry them, starting with a tough matchup against top-seeded Arkansas Tech.
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