HUNTER SHEA AND JAXON ZAUN HEADED TO SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Jaxon Zaun plays for the Doenges Toyota Indians earlier this month. Zaun will be playing baseball for Southwestern Christian University, along with teammate Hunter Shea. Both played for the Bartlesville Bruins and the Indians.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Hunter Shea, left, plays for the Doenges Toyota Indians earlier this month. Shea will be playing baseball for Southwestern Christian University, along with teammate Jaxon Zaun. Both played for the Bartlesville Bruins and the Indians.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
July 31, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
During the past several years, Hunter Shea and Jaxon Zaun have helped make Bartlesville High School and Bartlesville American Legion baseball the best they could be.
Next up, the pair of Bartlesville High graduates are going to infuse their talent and athleticism to try to bolster the diamond program at Southwestern Christian University (Bethany).
Each has chosen to play for the Eagles.
“I think going to Southwestern Christian University will be good for both of us,” said Shea. “We grew up together … and I’m happy to have someone going with me who I already know.”
Shea and Zaun are both fresh off the American Legion season of the Bartlesville Doenges Toyota Indians. Despite a losing record (24-26) it was considered a successful, rewarding campaign. The highlights included: Winning the Glen Winget tournament championship; advancing to the finals in multiple road tournaments, breaking even in college league play despite being the youngest squad in the group; and powering to the championship final of the Oklahoma American Legion state tourney.
Shea pointed to the week of the Winget tourney as a memorable experience.
“The way we played the game (that week) was pretty much ourselves,” Shea said. “We played the best week I think we had as an Indians’ team. We felt like we weren’t going to be beat that week.”
Heightening the enjoyment for Shea was head coach John Pannell’s instructions to the team prior to the tournament that it would be up to them whether they won or lost.
“He wanted us to play the game by ourselves,” Shea said.
Both Zaun and Shea provided Pannell with plenty of versatility according to where he needed them the most.
Zaun split time at catcher, outfield and infield.
“Summer Indian baseball is the best time of year to play baseball,” said Zaun, noting the players are allowed to see time at different positions.
His favorite memory this summer as a catcher was catching Grant Clark in a game against the Tulsa Sandlot.
“Grant pitched a great game,” he recalled.
Zaun also recalled playing at second base — with a runner in scoring position — and making a diving play to make the final out at second base.
Shea mostly alternated between right and center fields.
In one tense game, with Sam Marcella on the mound, “I just remember thinking we need to have something happen here,” Shea said. “I remember thinking we needed a strikeout.”
He also wondered if he could do “something amazing.”
A few moments later a batter hit a sizzling liner toward left-center and Shea made the layout catch to prevent a runner from scoring.
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Jaxon Zaun plays for the Bartlesville Bruins earlier this year. Zaun will be playing baseball for Southwestern Christian University, along with teammate Hunter Shea. Both played for the Bruins and Doenges Toyota Indians.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Hunter Shea pitches for the Bartlesville Bruins earlier this year. Shea will be playing baseball for Southwestern Christian University, along with teammate Jaxon Zaun. Both played for the Bruins and Doenges Toyota Indians.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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In addition to their heroics and hustle for the Indians, Shea and Zaun also played major roles in the revival of Bartlesville High baseball.
During their four years (2022-25) in the Bruin program, Bartlesville powered to 83 wins (83-67), including three 20-win campaigns with head coach Cody Price leading the way.
From their sophomore through senior years Bartlesville captured 56 victories.
“Coach Price is one of the best in the state,” said Zaun. “I think the key was just the leadership.”
Shea praised the Bruin program for its chemistry and friendship and the relationship the seniors had developed in playing together for several years.
Kaden Romesburg played his heart out,” Shea said and also praised the contributions of other seniors such as Damien Niko and Zaun.
Summer ball has a different tone.
“It’s not just about baseball,” he said. “It makes the game fun. … I like the simplicity of the game, not thinking about it as much.”
“Coach Pannell and coach Shaw, they let you play your game and if you make a mistake you’re not getting yelled at,” Zaun added.
As far as the future for the Bruins, Shea said he thinks the return of Kanin Romesburg from injury will be a vital key for the Bruins’ hopes.
“He was batting .300-plus but,” but suffered an injury “hurt the Bruins a lot,” Shea said.
The game of baseball is a good schoolmaster for life, Shea added.
“It has to be the leading part and the complexity of that thing that you cannot have success without failure,” he explained. “Baseball teaches you how to fail properly. You have to understand you’re not going to succeed half the time. … That’s tough. … It takes a perspective on life that if I’m going to have these good days, I’m going to have to have some bad ones.”
Zaun and Shea could have some very good days with Southwestern Christian.
The Eagles surged to a 33-18 record last season and advanced two rounds deep into the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) national tourney.
SWCU won the NCCAA national championship in 2024 and finished as national runner-up in 2023.