Published: May 16, 2008 12:20 am            

Plainsmen’s Rountree gets early graduation present

Nick Rountree got his dream graduation gift a day early.

The Enid Plainsmen shortstop was named to the Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association Big West All-State team after hitting .439 with six home runs, 24 doubles and 49 RBI as a senior.

The All-State game will be played July 30 at Oklahoma City’s AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, the home of the AAA Oklahoma RedHawks.

Rountree was informed by EHS coach Scott Baugh while helping a friend load a 4-wheeler.

“Coach (Scott) Baugh called and said, ‘Guess who I’m talking to now? ... I’m talking to an All-State infielder,’’’ Rountree said. “I sat there and thought about it for a second before I comprehended it.

“Ever since then, I’m still trying to believe it. One of my goals ever since I was a freshman was to be an All-Stater this year. It’s a big accomplishment for me. It’s going to be fun going there and playing in July.’’

Rountree is the first Enid player to make the All-State team since Tyler Fleming in 2005.

Rountree hit .429 with nine doubles, two home runs and 27 RBI as a junior.

The .439 and .429 averages are the two highest in Baugh’s eight seasons at EHS. Rountree’s 49 RBI were the most by an EHS player since Mike Long drove in 51 runs in 1982.

“I’ve had a lot of support throughout the years,’’ said Rountree, who hit safely in 34 of 40 games this season. “The coaches around here — coach Baugh, coach (James) Peoples, my dad, my mom ... they have helped me so much. I couldn’t have done it without them.’’

Rountree helped lead Enid to three state tournaments and a four-year record of 110-45. This year’s team went 29-12, losing to eventual champion Owasso in the semifinals of the state tournament.

He had a career batting average of .376 with nine home runs and 81 RBI.

“I couldn’t have dreamed of having better junior and senior years,’’ said Rountree, who struck out just 10 times in 237 official at-bats over the last two years. “It’s pretty cool to be able to do all those things and make the All-State team.’’

Baugh and Peoples have said Rountree’s work ethic made the difference in his career.

“He was in the cage every day hitting by himself,’’ Peoples said. “He’s a real hard worker. A kid who hit over .400 the last two years, you can’t replace a kid like that.’’

Rountree spent his weekends either taking extra ground balls or hitting in the batting cage at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

“All the extra work is really starting to pay off,’’ said Rountree, who batted .484 this season with runners in scoring position. “It started to pay off with college ball (he’s signed with Redlands Community College) and now the All-State team. I put a lot of work into it, but it’s been well worth it.’’

Rountree, who was 10-for-20 with seven RBI in this postseason, suffered a bruised hand when he was hit by a pitch against Yukon Saturday in a state tournament elimination game.

“It’s not broken,’’ Rountree said. “The doctor said it got me on a really good spot on the back of my hand. I’ll be good in a few days.’’

Rountree was voted the most valuable player of last year’s American Legion Majors State Tournament in Bartlesville after leading Enid to its third straight state title.

He batted .378 with six home runs, 39 RBI and 11 doubles. He is hoping for a fourth title this summer.

“We have a lot of good kids coming in,’’ Rountree said. “We’re going to have a really good team.’’

The All-State honor really hasn’t sunk in yet. Rountree said he was so focused on the high school season, he wasn’t thinking about graduation, summer ball or college.

“I was having fun in high school ball,’’ he said. “Right when it ended, the emotions started rolling through fast with all the seniors leaving and saying good-bye to the coaches.

“The next day I woke up and I started thinking, ‘Man, I graduate in three days.’ It’s amazing how fast my life has gone. I can’t believe it.’’

John Dillingham, Rountree’s teammate, was the first alternate as a pitcher. He was 6-3 with a 2.64 ERA with four saves. He struck out 74 in 74 1/3 innings. He batted .389 with five home runs, 27 RBI, 14 doubles and 20 stolen bases.

“He had a great career with us,’’ Peoples said.