Only a sophomore, McAlester High School baseball player Gunner Hodgell was a pivotal piece for the Buffaloes this spring.

Three years ago, he was a first-year student at McAlester Schools. He grew up in Iowa but moved to Oklahoma with his family for his father’s job.

“At first, the move to McAlester was hard. I didn’t know anybody here, and I was going straight into high school,” Hodgell said. “I’d say the hardest part was being away from my family and friends. I am very close with my family, especially my grandparents and my uncle. I’d grown up seeing them every weekend, and being away from them made it hard to adjust.”

At the time he moved to McAlester, Hodgell played multiple sports. But above the others, baseball helped him through the transition phase. He made the choice to focus on baseball his freshman year.

“You build bonds through sports you can’t get anywhere else,” Hodgell said. “Building those bonds has given me some great friendships.”

Hodgell can pitch, play the infield or play the outfield. McAlester head baseball coach Justin Mullins called him a “Swiss army knife,” who does everything the staff asks of him.

“Being able to help the team in more than one spot is a very good feeling and is something I strive for,” Hodgell said. “You never know where you’re going to be needed and being able to go to that spot confident and ready is always a good thing.”

Hodgell hopes to help the Buffaloes to a state title before his graduation in 2025.

“I would love to be able to go to a good baseball college and hopefully open more doors for my future,” Hodgell said.