After a 6-24 season in 2025, a change was made in the baseball program for the Muldrow Bulldogs as assistant coach Matt Brady was hired as the new coach to lead the ’Dogs this season, which was to begin this week with a pair of District 4A-8 games — at 5 p.m. Monday against Hilldale in Muskogee and at 5 p.m. Tuesday against Hilldale in the home opener.

The Bulldogs return eight key players from a season ago.

Seniors back are center fielder/pitcher Hayden McKinster (.350 batting average last season), catcher/ pitcher Wyatt Prewett (.345), outfielder Jackson Phillips (.301) and shortstop/center fielder/ catcher/pitcher Gabe Miller (a team-high .395 batting average).

The other four key returners are sophomores — infielder/pitcher Jace Prewett (.325 hitting average in 2025), infielder/ pitcher Jack Rhodes (.355), right fielder Trey Turpin (.300) and shortstop/ pitcher Brody Israel (.305).

Jace Prewett likely could be the No. 1 starter, with McKinster, Miller, Rhodes and Israel also figuring prominently on the mound for Brady.

Sophomore outfielder/ pitcher Hunter Horton, freshman infielder/

catcher Briston Weaver and freshman infielder/pitcher Ashton Jones will be three players who could see some qualify playing time.

“The team should be very competitive this year,” Brady said. “I think we can surprise teams. We should be athletic and have several kids throwing strikes.”

Editor’s Note: Look for more season-preview stories in future editions throughout March.