BARTLESVILLE BASEBALL: Short-handed Bruins stun returning state qualifier Sapulpa
Bryce Luelf watches a pitch go by while bunting for the Doenges Ford Indians last summer. Luelf, a sophomore, was bumped into the starting catcher position after Jaxson Zaun was injured. The Bruins defeated Sapulpa, 4-3 on Monday to improve to 2-0 on the young season. Zaun’s return will be monitored daily, according to head coach Cody Price.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area
By Mike Tupa
March 4, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Winning when at full strength is a virtue.
Winning while being pummeled by adversity is courage times determination plus a lot of savvy.
That’s the equation that has propelled the gritty Bartlesville High School baseball team to a 2-0 season start.
Despite losing a third of their starting lineup — plus another experienced player — the Bruins have wrested out two quality victories in three days.
On Saturday they seized a 4-3 nail-biter against Tulsa NOAH and on Monday they stunned a very strong Sapulpa powerhouse, 4-3, at Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium.
Monday’s triumph — against a Sapulpa team that last season qualified for state — suggested Bartlesville could be a diamond force with which to reckon.
“This was a really great team win tonight,” said Bartlesville head coach Cody Price — who also reached his 90th career win at Bartlesville. “I’m so proud of my guys right now. … Everybody kind of got thrown to wolves on Saturday and eked out a win. We came out tonight (Monday) and we were a completely different (better) team.”
Price proffered effusive praise for the prodigious pitching of Kaden Romesburg, who provided the thin-pitching depth Bruins a much-needed complete game masterpiece, on 91 pitches.
“We needed him to eat some innings,” said Price, especially with returning mound ace Barrett Merciez out temporarily with injury, along with veteran catcher Jaxon Zaun.
With Zaun out, sophomore Bryce Luelf has been bumped up to starting catcher. He made his varsity debut Saturday and turned in another strong behind-the-plate performance Monday.
Bartlesville got a major boost offensively from Dewey High transfer Cooper Swaim. Swaim smashed a two-out, two-run double that proved to be the difference in Monday’s win.
Bartlesville High School’s Damien Niko slides safely into second base last season. The Bruins defeated Sapulpa, 4-3 at Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium on Monday.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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In the bottom of the sixth — with the score knotted, 2-2 — Romesburg led off by being hit with a pitch. Cy Rigdon — another sophomore thrown into a starting role before planned — followed with a sacrifice bunt. After the next batter flew out, Damien Niko strolled to the play and drew an intentional walk, joining Romesburg on the basepath.
Then Swaim stepped up and laced an opposite-field two-bagger down the right field line to drive in both runners — Niko all the way from first.
“That was a great moment for that game,” Price said.
Swaim recorded three RBI for the evening while Niko plated the team’s other run.
Niko also belted two hits to lead the offensive attack. Hunter Shea, Swaim, Carson Silva and Luelf each rapped one hit.
Even at full strength, the Bruins likely would have struggled to beat Sapulpa, which finished 27-11 last season, knocked off state championship runner-up Sand Springs (29-12) and qualified for state itself. (Bartlesville struggled to a 13-22 mark last season.)
Monday’s victory was a thundering statement about Bruin renewal this season.
Price labeled it as one of the Bruins’ best wins during his five-plus seasons tenure, adding that if the Bruins continue to compete as they did Monday they should forge much success in the weeks ahead.
He said the return of Merciez and Zaun to the lineup is a day-to-day decision and that he wants to be sure they’re completely healthy and not risking re-injury.
Bartlesville is slated to play Tuesday evening at Owasso. They eye a rematch Thursday against Tulsa NOAH and will be at home at noon Saturday (March 8) to take on Class 4A power Oologah.
NOTES: Bartlesville’s outfield Monday included sophomore Kanin Romesburg in right, Niko in center and Liam Buchanan in left … Silva batted as designated hitter. … Rigdon played at second base. … Sam Marcella may draw the starting pitching assignment against Owasso, Price said. … Owasso is 7-1 vs. the Bruins during the Price era and last season shut out the Bruins twice by a combined score of 23-0. … Owasso posted a 35-7 record last season and advanced to the state semifinals.