STATE CHAMPIONS: BARTLESVILLE CAPTURES CROWN BUT EXITS POSTSEASON EARLY
The Doenges Toyota Indians won the Oklahoma American Legion AAA state championship in July 2026, but the team withdrew from regional postseason play due to a lack of eligible players.
Courtesy photo
Doenges Toyota Indian Easton Davis pitches during an earlier season game. The Indians won the Oklahoma American Legion AAA state championship in July 2026, but the team withdrew from regional postseason play due to a lack of eligible players.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report file photo
By Becky Burch
August 3, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Despite capturing the Oklahoma State American AAA Legion Championship, the Bartlesville Doenges Toyota Indians had to withdraw last Thursday from the Mid-South Regional in North Carolina due to a lack of eligible players ahead of the double-elimination tournament this week.
The state title marked the program's first state championship since 1978 under the leadership of legendary coach Tug Baughn, who stepped down after that historic season. Baughn also led Bartlesville to the title in 1976. Al Solenberger guided the Indians to a state championship victory in 1969, advancing Bartlesville to its only American Legion World Series appearance.
This third state title came under first-year manager Tony Osborne.
Prior to the announcement that the Indians were unable to attend the regional tournament, Osborne expressed pride in his squad's achievement.
"It’s an outstanding feeling and something we hope to keep building on for the future of the program," Osborne said. "We had a goal to win the Winget our first year, and not only did we do that, we also won the state tournament."
In addition to winning its own Glen Winget Memorial Tournament for the second consecutive year, the Indians won the Bobcat Showcase Tournament in Branson, Missouri, in June. They ended the season at 23-12-2.
“Each one of our guys has played a huge role in this and we hope to just keep growing this each year to come,” Osborne said after the title win. “These guys have definitely set a new standard.”
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Doenges Toyota Indians head coach and manager Tony Osborne watches from the dugout during an earlier season game. The Indians won the Oklahoma American Legion AAA state championship in July 2026, but the team withdrew from regional postseason play due to a lack of eligible players.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report file photo
Doenges Toyota Indian Nate Sloan, right, reacts during an earlier season game. The Indians won the Oklahoma American Legion AAA state championship in July 2026, but the team withdrew from regional postseason play due to a lack of eligible players.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report file photo
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State Tournament Run
Bartlesville navigated a four-team tournament field that included Ada, McLoud and Marietta. The Indians took an unusual path to the crown, battling host Ada three separate times to secure the title.
The Indians won their first-round game with a dramatic walk-off run against McLoud, winning 9-8 in Ada. They then advanced with a 15-5, run-rule victory over the host Ada Braves.
Kamen Sprague sparked the offense early with a three-run homer in the top of the first inning, driving in Joel Perez and Grant Goldman to give the Indians a quick 4-2 lead. Bartlesville’s bats exploded in the fourth inning for seven runs before both squads traded a run in the fifth.
Lathe Griggs earned the victory on the mound, allowing five runs — three earned — on five hits with three strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. Sprague pitched in relief, striking out one to seal the victory.
The Indians fell in their second game against Ada, 14-7, but bounced back to defeat Ada again, 9-6, to claim the championship.
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State Championship Game
The Indians and Ada met again for a winner-take-all championship game, with Bartlesville defeating Ada 9-6.
The Indians got on the board quickly, plating six runs in the first inning. Leading 4-0 with two outs, Jaxon Zaun doubled on a fly ball to left field, scoring Parker Garrison and Bryce Luelf to push the lead to 6-0. In the bottom of the first, Easton Davis allowed one run but struck out one batter. Luelf caught a fly ball in right field, and Garrison fielded a grounder at third base to end the frame.
Bartlesville scored three more runs in the top of the second inning to jump ahead 8-0. Ada answered in the bottom of the third and fourth innings with six runs, cutting the Bartlesville lead to 8-6 after four innings. The Indians added an insurance run in the sixth to make it 9-6.
Rhett Leu earned the victory in relief, allowing no hits and one run while striking out four over four innings. Davis started and gave up five runs — two earned — on five hits with three strikeouts.
Several Indians made significant contributions to the championship-winning offense. Goldman sparked the lineup with two hits and three RBIs, while Zaun went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Luelf finished with a hit, a run scored and one RBI, and Sprague also drove in a run. Davis delivered a perfect offensive performance, going 2-for-2 with a run scored and two hits. Nate Sloan scored a run and collected a hit, while Leu crossed the plate once and added an RBI to round out the scoring.
Four Indians made the all-tournament team: Garrison, Luelf, Sloan and Sprague.
Doenges Toyota Indian Bryce Luelf hustles to third base during an earlier season game. The Indians won the Oklahoma American Legion AAA state championship in July 2026, but the team withdrew from regional postseason play due to a lack of eligible players.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report file photo
Doenges Ford Indian Kamen Sprague pitches during an earlier season game. The Indians won the Oklahoma American Legion AAA state championship in July 2026, but the team withdrew from regional postseason play due to a lack of eligible players.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report file photo
Doenges Toyota Indian Zane Stricklin delivers a pitch during an earlier season game. The Indians won the Oklahoma American Legion AAA state championship in July 2026, but the team withdrew from regional postseason play due to a lack of eligible players.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report file photo