Baseball

If you really want to know the origins of Joe Baldwin passing judgment on pitchers’ accuracy throughout Southeast Missouri, you’d have to go all the way back to the dusty dirt fields of the Marston Little League in the early 1960s.

CHARLESTON, Mo. — The McDonald’s Fighting Squirrels recently added another memorable milestone. The team recorded its 500th win in program history with resounding victories in a doubleheader at Poplar Bluff on Thursday, June 16. “Picking up win No. 500 is a great accomplishment for our program,” said MFS coach Michael Minner. ...

SIKESTON — Garrison Scott and Jase Aycock, teammates who helped East Prairie capture its first district title since 2005 and set a program record for wins this past season, will continue their academic and athletic careers at St. Louis Community College...

The final batch of finalists have been selected for the 2022 Semoball Awards, presented by SoutheastHEALTH. In addition to spring sports, members of the Semoball staff selected finalists for the Coach of the Year, Sportsmanship, Comeback Athlete and Scholar Athlete awards...

Three players from Portageville's state runner-up baseball team received first-team All-State honors in Class 2. Junior catcher Trey Benthal, sophomore infielder Mason Adams and senior outfielder Alex Winsor each garnered first-team honors for their performances in 2022. The Bulldogs placed five players across first, second and honorable mention teams...

This summer vacation is going to last a bit longer for former Dexter High School assistant technology coordinator and longtime coach, James Sneed. Following 22 years of working at his alma mater, Sneed walked off the athletic fields and classroom at the end of this school year.

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 T6. Fort Zumwalt West – 30-9 T6. Nixa – 32-4 8. Rock Bridge – 29-10 9. Raymore-Peculiar – 21-10 10. Kickapoo – 27-8...

Jackson High School has named new head coaches for the baseball and girls golf teams. Josh Roach, a graduate of Anna-Jonesboro High School in Illinois, will replace Tatum Kitchen as the Indians' head baseball coach while Jeff Fahrner will replace Jim Brady as the head girls golf coach...

The 2022 MSHSAA baseball season wrapped up last week, but for the fans of Senath-Hornersville High, the 2023 seasons (plural) can’t get here quickly enough.

A memo to high school baseball players throughout Missouri: particularly in Southeast Missouri, you are being watched. And not just for your services to be utilized by the next level years from now, but sooner than you realize. The Cape Catfish open their third season of play at Capaha Field on Friday, as they host Springfield at 6:35 p.m., and they’ll have many familiar faces on the field.

OZARK, Mo. — Portageville’s remarkable postseason run and 17-game win streak ended with a loss to Russellville in the MSHAA Class 2 State Championship on Tuesday, May 31. Both teams were playing for their first state title in program history, but it was the top-ranked Indians (29-4) who claimed victory with a 5-3 win over the fourth-ranked Bulldogs (31-4) at US Ballpark in Ozark, Mo...

OZARK, Mo. — Defending state champion Oran’s quest to repeat came up just short with a loss to St. Elizabeth in the MSHSAA Class 1 State Championship on Tuesday, May 31. The Hornets (18-6) have played in the title game the past four consecutive seasons and earned some redemption with the 9-2 win at US Ballpark in Ozark, Mo., after surrendering losses to the Eagles (20-4) in the 2018 and 2021. St. Elizabeth also capture the title in 2019...

OZARK, Mo. — Some call it swagger, others moxie or having the x-factor. Whatever it is, the Portageville baseball team has it. The team proved it again with a 6-0 win over Gainesville in the MSHSAA Class 2 Semifinals at US Ballpark in Ozark, Mo., on Monday, May 30, to advance to the first state championship game in program history...

OZARK, Mo. — If there was any doubt Oran had the tools to reload after replacing five players from a state championship team then the team put that uncertainly to rest with a 6-3 win over Northeast Cairo in the MSHSAA Class 1 Semifinal at US Ballpark in Ozark, Mo., on Monday, May 30...

Saxony Lutheran Lutheran baseball standout Jacob Johnson recently signed with Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, to continue his baseball career and further his education. The school's engineering program drew the senior Crusader to sign...

ST. LOUIS — Kennett's quest for a second straight state title continues. Tanner Duncan struck out eight and Reese Robinett broke a scoreless tie in the third inning with a home run as the Indians beat Affton 12-2 in the MSHSAA Class 4 quarterfinal Friday...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — A memorable postseason run came to an end for East Prairie with an extra-inning loss to Valley Park in the MSHSAA Class 3 Quarterfinals. It was a seesaw game that included several lead changes before the Hawks (19-4) dashed the Eagles’ (22-6) hopes and caused heartache at H.A. Jones Field in East Prairie with a walk-off in the bottom of the eighth inning to win 6-5 on Thursday, May 26...

There is only a handful of days left for high school baseball fans to catch a glimpse of Reece Robinett, who is the latest in a long line of phenomenal talents to perform on the diamonds throughout the Bootheel of this great state. The Kennett High School senior will lead the Indians in their next step towards a second consecutive trip to the MSHSAA Class 4 Final Four today, as they battle Affton (9-10) at Bayless High School in St. Louis at 2 p.m. in the Quarterfinal round.

Class 4 State Quarterfinals @ Bayless High School Kennett (25-4) – Batting: Braden Tice (2-4, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs), Brooks Nigut (2-5, 2B, 3 RBIs), T. Gardner (2-2, RBI, 3 Runs), Tanner Pierce (1-1, HR, RBI, 3 Runs). Pitching: W – Tanner Duncan (CG, 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 9 K)...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Oran earned a return trip to the MSHSAA Class 1 Final Four with a 3-1 win over Norwood on Wednesday, May 25 at Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Mo. It was the second consecutive season the Eagles (19-3, 6-0 Scott-Mississippi Conference) defeated the Pirates (13-8) in the quarterfinals of the state tournament...

SIKESTON — Championships aren’t something that comes around too often in East Prairie, but that makes them even more special when they do. The Eagles (22-5) will host a MSHAA State Tournament Quarterfinal for just the third time in school history and seek their first trip to the final four when they take on the Valley Park Hawks (18-4) at H.A Jones Park in East Prairie on Thursday, May 26, weather permitting...

Class 3 Quarterfinals @ East Prairie East Prairie (22-6) - Batting: Hayden Ellis (1-3, 3 RBIs), Garrett Scott (1-2, 2B, 2 BB, RBI, Run), Jace Aycock (1-2, 2 Runs). Pitching: L - Owen Knight (2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K), SP - Noah Johnson (5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 8 K)...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — A grand slam off the bat of CJ Kelley jumpstarted a 10-run third inning Wednesday for Portageville in the MSHSAA Class 2 quarterfinal. "I got a pitch that I liked, took it the opposite way and it felt good off the bat," said Kelley, who drove in five runs in the inning...

Class 1 State Quarterfinal @ Hillcrest High School, Springfield MO. Oran (19-3) – Batting: Kolten Payne (2-3, RBI), Connor Kern (2-3, Run), Nolan Loper (2-3, Run), Seth Cauble (1-2, Run). Pitching: W – Connor Kern (3.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 5 K), Carson Kern (3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K)...

PARK HILLS – Oh, the blissful ignorance of youth. The above statement was shouted with full fervor at Kennett High School senior Reece Robinett midway through the Indians’ MSHSAA Class 4 Sectional 1 baseball game against Park Hills on Tuesday by a die-hard Rebel fan. And that guy wasn’t alone in his chastisement of the University of Arkansas baseball signee.

The game will be played at Cape Central High School at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

SCOTT CITY — Tuesday's Class 3 sectional matchup between East Prairie and Scott City was a defensive battle. The Eagles plated a run in the first inning and their defense carried it from there en route to a 1-0 victory at Scott City Ball Park and a berth in the Class 3 state quarterfinals...

ORAN, Mo. — There was no dog-piling, showboating or excessive celebration when Oran defeated Cooter 4-1 in a MSHSAA Class 1 Sectional at Oran High School on Monday, May 23. It was clear the moment was nothing new to the ice-cold Eagles (18-3, 6-0 Scott-Mississippi Conference), who after all, are the defending state champions. They simply shook their opponents' hands and went about their business as usual...

KENNETT – When you are in a baseball lineup that includes the likes of super seniors Reese Robinett, Tanner Duncan, JT Williams, and Braden Tice, a guy can get a tad overshadowed.

Class 3 State Sectional @ Scott City East Prairie (22-5) - Batting: Rafe Byassee (1-3, RBI), Jace Aycock (Run). Pitching: W - Samuel Hodges (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K). Scott City (14-13) - Batting: Logan Speakman, Luke Holder, Levi Senn (One hit each). Pitching: L - Hunter Graff (6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K)...

CRYSTAL CITY, Mo. — Trey Porter was not thinking of taking advantage of an inviting right-field fence. “I’ve never been one to hit for opposite-field power, so I wasn’t really trying,” said the Greenville sophomore of his two-run home run Monday. Porter’s blast over the tall right-field fence and another two-run shot by Talan McDaniel highlighted a six-run first inning before the Bears got the line going again in the second inning...

ELLSINORE — Despite a rally in the seventh inning, East Carter's season came to an end as the Redbirds fell to Portageville 11-6 Monday in the MSHSAA Class 2 sectional playoff. The Bulldogs used a four-run fourth to their advantage and scored at least one run in every other inning...

Class 1 State Sectional @ Oran Cooter (23-6-1) – Batting: Lukas Barnes (1-2, HR, RBI, Run), Tyson Banks (2-3). Pitching: L – Hayden Nazarenus (4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 4 K). Oran (18-3) – Batting: Quentin Senciboy (2-2, RBI, Run), Connor Kern (1-3, 2B, RBI), Carson Kern (1-3, Run). Pitching: W – Kolten Payne (6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 11 K), SV – Senciboy (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K)...

Oak Ridge baseball standout Logan Dewitt recently signed a letter of intent to further his education and play baseball at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri Dewitt excelled on the baseball diamond while at Oak Ridge, throwing six complete games and a no-hitter. He was named All-Conference his junior season, Academic All-State his sophomore and junior seasons and has been named to several summer All-Tournament teams...

Six Kennett players and five from Jackson were named to the 2022 All-SEMO Conference team, and both teams swept individual awards. For Kennett, Reese Robinett, Tanner Duncan, J.T. Williams, Tanner Pierce, Braden Tice and Brooks Nigut were named to the All-Conference first team. Robinett was named the conference's player of the year while Indians coach Aaron New received coach of the year honors...

While the Delta baseball team's season has ended, a recent gesture by the players made a lasting impact on a local family. After seeing a post on social media selling t-shirts to aid six-year-old Lola Johnson's family in paying for her medical bills, Delta coach Cody Naramore felt compelled to do something for the family...

East Carter and Greenville has survived through the district tournaments and will try to extend their seasons in the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 2 baseball championships. The Bears will travel north to Crystal City while East Carter will stay home to play Portageville on Monday...

Lindbergh jumped out to an early lead and utilized a three-run fifth inning to upset second-seeded Jackson in the Class 6 District 1 semifinals on Wednesday at St. John Vianney High School. Junior Clayton Ernst cut into the Flyers' lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run, but the 3-2 deficit was as close as the Indians would get...

VAN BUREN — The East Carter baseball program ended a district championship drought Thursday. Jacob Saffle tossed a complete-game shutout and hit a home run as the Redbirds beat Van Buren 5-0 in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 final. "I'm proud of the boys," East Carter coach Ethan Boyer said. "Obviously there's been a drought and they came close last year, but fell short. This is even sweeter, a chance at redemption...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — A storm was a brewing during the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 Championship, but it had nothing to do with the weather. The thunder came from the bat of Mason Adam, who finished the title game with a pair of triples and five RBIs on a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. The Portageville sophomore also displayed lightning speed on the base path and provided the team with ferocious energy and excitement during an 11-1 win over South Pemiscot on Wednesday, May 18 at Meatte Park...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — The Portageville baseball team claimed its fourth district crown in the past five seasons with an emphatic win over South Pemiscot on Wednesday, May 18. The top-seeded Bulldogs (28-3, 4-1 Bootheel Conference) stayed in control from start to finish during the six-inning 11-1 victory over the second-seeded Bulldogs (13-8, 4-1 Bootheel Conference) in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 Championship at Meatte Park in Portageville, Mo...

SCOTT CITY — For the second time in two weeks rivals Scott City and Chaffee met on the baseball field. Only this time, much more was at stake. The Rams scored 10 runs across the fifth and sixth innings, beating the Red Devils 12-2 to win the Class 3 District 2 championship Wednesday at Scott City Ball Park...

GREENVILLE — With the game tied in the bottom of the sixth, Greenville’s Cooper Sturgeon was just told to find a way to get on base by his coaches. "I honestly wasn't going up there hoping to do much," Sturgeon said. "I was wanting to get a base hit, get on base and start something...

Class 2 District 1 Championship @ Portageville South Pemiscot (13-8) - Batting: Zachary Southern (1-3, RBI), Steven Henley (1-3, 2B, Run). Pitching: LP - Henley (2.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 4 K). Portageville (28-3) - Batting: Ronald Adams (3-4, 2 3B, 5 RBIs, Run), Conner Johnson (1-2, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs), THomas Frakes (2-2, RBI, Run). Pitching: WP - Donney Benthal (6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K)...

KENNETT, Mo.- It is a good time to be an Indian fan this time of year. The Kennett softball team is in the final four of the state tournament, and the baseball team is on track to repeat the success of a state championship. After an 11-3 district championship win over the Notre Dame Bulldogs, the Kennett Indians did not celebrate as much as most teams do, maybe because this seems all too familiar to them after a state championship last season...

ADVANCE, Mo. — It wasn’t perfect, but for the fourth consecutive played season Oran captured the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 Championship. The top-seeded Eagles (17-3, 6-0 Scott-Mississippi Conference) overcame some blunders and a rally to win 11-3 against the second-seeded Advance Hornets (11-12, 0-4 Stoddard County Activities Association) in the title game at Westfield Park in Advance, Mo., on Tuesday, May 17...

Bernie High School baseball coach Marcus Massey has seen a lot of baseball in his life, so he knew full well what the possibilities were for his Mules in having to face MSHSAA Class 2 No. 4-ranked Portageville for the District 1 semifinal on Tuesday at Meatte Park IN Portageville.

KENNETT – Veteran Notre Dame High School baseball coach Jeff Graviett isn’t one to mince words (or waste time saying them), and he was blunt in talking on Monday about his team’s next challenge.

VAN BUREN – The home-standing Van Buren Bulldogs generated more than enough offense for a chance at a Class 2 District 2 Championship as they defeated Neelyville 22-7 in the semifinal round on Tuesday. There was plenty of offense in the first inning with Neelyville starting the game off with a two-spot in the top of the first before Van Buren exploded for 11 runs in their half of the first inning, which set the tone for the remainder of the game...

VAN BUREN – The bats were red hot for East Carter on top of some top notch pitching early on as the Redbirds ended Winona's season with a 13-3 win in the semifinal round of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 Tournament on Tuesday. East Carter got the evening started with Jacob Saffle tossing three perfect innings as he faced nine hitters and walked away with nine strikeouts for the game before getting pulled to keep his pitch count down after 36 pitches...