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Oran pulls away from Sikeston in final inning
SIKESTON — There was plenty of back-and-forth action in Oran’s 9-3 victory over Sikeston at VFW Stadium in Sikeston, Mo., on Wednesday, May 4.
The score was tied 2-2 before the Eagles (13-3, 6-0 Scott-Mississippi Conference) found solid footing at the plate in the final inning and spoiled the Bulldogs’ (5-19, 2-5 SEMO Conference) senior night.
“ We were able to come in and stay focused the whole game,” said Oran coach Joe Bickings. “Every time we come down here we are expecting a battle and that’s exactly what we got today. Sikeston is battled tested from playing in the SEMO Conference and we knew it was going to be a good game. Coach [Josh] Hopkins does a good job with them.”
Sikeston gained an early 1-0 lead when junior Carter Crow scored in the bottom of the first inning. Oran tied it when junior Luke Peterson scored on a double by Kolten Payne in the top of the fifth inning.
“We were aggressive early and often but the balls just weren’t finding the holes in the defense,” Bickings said. “When we did get hits they did a good job of limiting the damage, but we kept battling and we were able to take advantage of some mistakes. It's good to see us up there aggressive especially when they’re throwing strikes the way they were.”
The Eagles gained their first lead, 2-1, in the top of the sixth inning when sophomore Gabe Dirnberger scored on a hard ground ball by senior Seth Cauble, but the Bulldogs responded in the bottom of the inning with a run by Carter off a single by junior Joseph Heckemeyer to tie it back up.
Sikeston had a great opportunity to add some more runs but left the bases loaded after senior Quentin Senciboy entered the game at pitcher and recorded a strikeout for the final out of the inning.
“[Senciboy] came in and shut the door on them,” Bickings said. “This team won’t panic because they’ve been in that situation. We’ve seen some high-pressure moments against some good teams this season, and it’s benefited us because now when we get into something like that it doesn’t bother us as much.”
The Eagles' seven-run seventh inning came when freshman Carson Kern singled and junior Kolten Payne and sophomore Brenden Campbell scored; Carson Kern scored a sacrifice fly; freshman Kole Burger, Senciboy and Peterson scored on passed balls; and Campbell singled and senior Connor Kern scored.
“Pitching, defense and timely hitting wins big games,” Bickings said. “That’s what it was today. Our pitchers threw strikes, had confidence in our defense and we got some timely hitting there in the seventh inning.”
The Bulldogs attempted to get a rally going in the bottom of the inning, but only managed one run when Heckemeyer singled on a fly ball and junior Jacob Leavitt scored.
Senciboy earned the win after 1.1 innings pitched and allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts and one walked batter. Connor Kern started the game and pitched the first five innings. He allowed one run on five hits with four strikeouts and two walked batter.
“We had an awesome performance by Connor Kern,” Bickings said. “That's probably only the third or fourth time he has seen the mound this year. He was pumping strikes and that’s good to see because coming into the year we expected him to be one of our top pitchers, but he’s dealt with some nagging injuries. We’ve been building him up and it was really good to see him come out and throw like that.”
Oran's top performers at the plate were Payne (3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored), Carson Kern (2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored), Senciboy (2-for-4 with a run scored), Peterson (2-for-4 and two runs scored) and Campbell (3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored).
“[Campbell] has taken the opportunity he’s been given and ran with it,” Bickings said. “Anytime you get three hits out of the nine-hole to roll it over to the top of the lineup, it’s a good thing and hopefully he keeps it going.”
The Eagles, the third-ranked team in Class 1 according to the MHSBCA Poll, avenged a 4-1 loss to the Bulldogs from a season ago.
“We’re getting to where we want to be,” Bickings said. “I don’t think we are there yet, but we’ve been swinging the bats well and our pitchers have been competing. It’s good to see and hopefully, we keep it going for the rest of the year and into the playoffs.”
Oran will travel to Kelly (13-8, 5-1 Scott-Mississippi Conference) for a huge conference tilt on Friday, May 6, and host Bell City (2-9, 2-3 Stoddard County Activities Association) for its regular-season finale on Monday, May 9.
The Eagles are likely to receive the top seed in the Class 1 District 2 Tournament that is set to begin on May 13, but the bracket wouldn’t be released until later this week.
Senior Lucas King took the loss after pitching after six innings of work and allowing seven hits on nine hits with a strikeout and a walked batter.
“‘We fought hard against a good ball club,” said Sikeston coach Josh Hopkins. “We were really good for six innings, but they were able to take advantage of a few more opportunities. I’m proud of my guys and the way they are fighting right now. Lucas [King] was really good for six innings and threw the ball really well for us, but [Oran’s] last time through the lineup they just seemed to be timing him up and barreling the baseball. That’s just the way it happens sometimes.”
Senior Isaac Griggs recorded the final three outs. He allowed two runs, although neither was earned, on one hit with two strikeouts. Crow (2-for-3 with two runs scored) and Heckemeyer (2-for-3 with two RBIs) were the Bulldogs’ top sluggers.
Sikeston recognized seniors Tharen Russell, King and Griggs before the game.
“We’re missing some key guys and that hurts us, but we’ve had some guys step up,” Hopkins said. “Especially my seniors. They fight and that’s what I’m going to miss most about those guys. They may not be the most talented players in the world, but they absolutely fight their tails off and you love having kids like that.”
Sikeston hosts Ste. Genevieve (12-7, 5-3 Mineral Area Activities Association) on Monday, May 9.
| Oran | 000 | 011 | 7 | - | 9 | 14 | 0 |
| Sikeston | 100 | 001 | 1 | - | 3 | 8 | 5 |
W—Quentin Senciboy. L—Isaac Griggs. 2B—Oran: Kolten Payne (2). Multiple Hits—Oran: Carter Crow 2-3, Joseph Heckemeyer 2-3; Oran: Brenden Campbell 3-3, Payne 3-5, Senciboy 2-4, Luke Peterson 2-4.