ENID PLAINSMEN BASEBALL
2026 Season Preview
By Jay Hoberecht
Every sport has special moments! Opening day for baseball is one of those moments! The Enid High School Plainsmen will be opening their 2026 season in February under the leadership of head Coach Brad Gore.
Coach Gore has been around the game for over three decades. He is now in his 11th year with the Plainsmen. He has had plenty of success to show for it! The Oklahoma State University Hall of Famer led Dover to back-to-back Class B State Championships in 2001 and 2002 and coached there for ten years. Gore guided Chickasha to three Class 5A State Championship games and coached the Fightin’ Chicks for 11 years. He moved to Enid in 2015 and has had only one losing season with the Plainsmen, his first year there. The Plainsmen have competed in one Class 6A State Championship game and two quarter-final games. His overall record at Enid is 219-115.
Coach Gore was quick to talk about his assistants and the impact they have on the Plainsmen baseball program. Dennom Sullivan and Dylan Norsen assist with the varsity players. Johnney Chavez and Hayden Priest help develop the junior varsity players. Player development and the program’s culture are cornerstones of Plainsmen baseball.
Coach Gore talked with me about his players and their “unbelievable buy-in.” There was good competition early and here is how the line-up looks to open the season.
Pitching Keon Young SR, Heath Wisel SR, Geron Dow JR
Catcher Zerek Slater JR, Baylor Shaw SO
First Dallas Darrow SR
Second Matt Hoetzel SO
Shortstop Jeron Dow JR
Third Cal Gore SO
Left Baylor Shaw SO, Des Mittelstet SR
Center Keon Young SR, Gabe Fleece SR
Right Zerek Slater JR, Jevin Fowler SO, Qiam Butler SO
The Plainsmen have put in the work and seem confident. Gore believes the chemistry and culture exist. Enid plays in what Gore calls “the crown jewel” of high school baseball. They will need to score more runs than last season to reach their goals. Fun season approaching, get out and enjoy Plainsmen baseball!
