play ball! doenges toyota indians host home opener on friday
Bartlesville Doenges Toyota Indians infielder Kael Siemers tracks down a grounder during a 2024 game. The Indians host their home opener on Friday against the Kansas Curve. The double header begins at 4:30 p.m. at Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium in downtown Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
May 30, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Ready …
Set …
PLAY BALL!
That’s the mantra for Friday’s Doenges Toyota Indians home opener at Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium.
The first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m., with a second game to follow at approximately 6:30 p.m.
The Kansas Curve will provide the opposition — and this is no cupcake home season debut.
Earlier this week, the Curve snapped off a 9-2 win against the Indians in their season opener, played in Wichita, Kan.
“We really needed to work on hitting,” said veteran Indians’ manager John Pannell, noting his batters struck out a total of 18 times.
Pannell surmised a combination of season-opening jitters, a college-veteran team in the curve and the imposing confines of the stadium “might have caused some intimidation.”
The Indians will be bolstered Friday by the addition of the bats of Brenden Asher and Tucker Wooten.
“This game will be the first time we’ll have everybody together,” Pannell said.
He plans to start Grant Clark in Game One on Friday and Hunter Shea in the nightcap.
Dewey brothers Zane Griggs and Lathe Griggs, who Pannell labelled as “fantastic,” pitched hard Tuesday against the Curve. Justin Swart finished up on a strong note.
The Indians will be off on Saturday and will host a fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Re/Max.
On Sunday, the Tulsa Sandlot visit the Indians for a 5:45 p.m. first game.
“We had a great practice tonight,” Pannell said Thursday evening. “One thing that seems to be different this year is we’ve got some guys putting in some serious work. We’re excited about that.”