Sandite of the Week: Hunter Greathouse
/By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
This week Sandite Pride would like to recognize Charles Page High School junior Hunter Greathouse as Sandite of the Week for his consistent outstanding performances in all five games at the Best of the West baseball tournament in Phoenix, Arizona over Spring Break.
Greathouse averaged .500 batting and slugging with a .467 OBP, as well as pitched his first win of the season in the tournament finale against Coconino.
The Sandites (6-2) won their fourth straight in the tournament opener 3-1 against the Greenway High Demons (8-2). Greathouse hit a single in the top of the fifth as the teams were tied up 1-1, but was left stranded. In the seventh, however, he was walked, and scored the final run of the game on a Josh Taber single.
In the first loss of the season, Greathouse singled in the third period against Sunrise Mountain (10-5-1), but was stranded as the Peoria, Arizona team went on to a 7-0 shutout.
In the third game of the series, the Sandites were pitted against Chaparral High (12-2) of Scottsdale, Arizona. Greathouse flied out his first two at bats, but hit a single in the top of the sixth. He was replaced with courtesy runner Kameron Adcock, who was left stranded as Jake Terry struck out. The Firebirds won that game 2-1.
Sand Springs got back on track in the next round with a 14-2 run-rule over Scottsdale's Notre Dam Prep (7-8). Greathouse got on base twice, each time with singles, each time being batted in on doubles from Trevor Tolbert.
In the final game the Sandites took on Coconino (2-11) from Flagstaff, Arizona. Greathouse went to the mound for the second time this season, his first time as the starter, and threw 58% strikes, giving up only three hits and striking out nine batters over six innings. He struck out two in the first inning, giving up one walk that scored. He struck out three more over the next two innings, but walked in two runners on loaded bases in the top of the fourth and Coconino took a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the inning he hit a single and courtesy runner Tyler McCallie went on to score. He singled to load the bases in the bottom of the fifth and once more McCallie scored in his stead. He struck out the side in order in the top of the sixth then scored Rhett Rutledge on a sacrifice for a final score of 8-3.
In addition to being a stud on the diamond, he's also the starting quarterback on the State Runner-Up football team where he threw 99-185-8-1767 for 18 touchdowns, as well as 5 rushing touchdowns.
Sandite of the Week is a weekly recognition given to any one person with significant ties to the Sand Springs community who accomplishes remarkable achievements during the Sunday through Saturday week preceding the award. Prior achievements may be noted in the article, but do not bear direct influence on the selection committee which only considers prior week accomplishments. Candidates may be nominated by anyone by emailing SanditePrideNews@gmail.com. Bylaws prevent the giving of the award to anyone for two consecutive weeks, but any recipient may be nominated and awarded again in the future, so long as the weeks are not consecutive. Final selection is made by a majority vote of a three-person staff committee.
Businesses or organizations seeking to sponsor the Sandite of the Week award may contact the above email for inquiries.
