BARTLESVILLE BRUINS BASEBALL ENDS SPRING SEASON WITH 20 WINS
Bartlesville High School’s head coach Cody Price talks with his players on the mound during the spring season. The Bruins ended the season with a 20-win campaign.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Bartlesville High School’s Sam Hill (3) is safe at home during the spring season. The Bruins ended the season with a 20-win campaign.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Becky Burch
June 11, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
The Bartlesville baseball team powered through a hard-fought Class 6A schedule to finish 20-16, marking the fifth time in six seasons under head coach Cody Price that the Bruins reached the 20-win milestone.
The Bruins won six games in a row prior to losing in the first round of the Class 6A regional tournament to Putnam City 1-0 on May 6. In those six wins before regionals, the Bruins outscored their opponents 51-11.
"We are disappointed with how the season ended, but I'm proud of the resolve that the boys showed all year," Price said.
Bartlesville’s top arm Barrett Merciez, who signed with Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kansas, did not pitch an inning this season due to a torn labrum suffered last May. Transfer senior Tyler Neeley, who signed with Ottawa University, was also injured during his first outing of the season.
"We never used that as an excuse and players continued to step up throughout the season to fill those voids," Price said.
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Bartlesville High School’s Barrett Merciez (7) gets ready to bat during the spring season. The Bruins ended the season with a 20-win campaign.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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The Bruins graduated several seniors, including Sam Marcella, who signed with Oklahoma Wesleyan University; Sam Hill, who signed with Allen Community College in Iola, Kansas; and Sterling Kroh, who committed to Southwestern Christian University in Bethany. Other graduating seniors included Hudson Baker, Hayden Brown, Pierce Hindman, Carson Silva and Liam Buchanan.
"The seniors this year leave a legacy of what character looks like on and off the field," Price said. "They have grown so much in their time here and as their head coach it has been a pleasure to watch."
Incoming Bruins that made the cut in May’s tryouts include: Lane Ravnaas, Drake Lambeh, Carter Waller, Josh Wier, Trace Richey, Cayman Mayhew, Max Johnson, Nash Upshaw, Dalton Neill, Hayes Hamilton, John Brashear, William Fielder, Charlie Smith and Karter Colliver.
Price, along with his staff and players, is currently leading a three-day summer baseball camp for athletes in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Bartlesville High School’s Braden Neill (17) catches a throw at third base during the spring season. The Bruins ended the season with a 20-win campaign.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
The Bartlesville High School bench looks on during a spring season game. The Bruins ended the season with a 20-win campaign.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports