AREA BASEBALL, SOCCER TEAMS IN STATE SECTIONALS; HOLCOMB ENTERING ORAN FOR CLASS 1A SECTIONAL

If the Oran Eagles are wondering what it takes to advance to the state baseball championships in Columbia, they'll get a chance to ask the visiting Holcomb Hornets during today's Class 1A Sectional at 2 p.m.

Holcomb returns all but three starting outfielders from last year's 19-10 squad that placed third in Class 1A. The Hornets are currently ranked fourth in a state coaches poll with a 16-4 record.

"We've got three new outfielders and we lost one of our main pitchers from last year," said Holcomb coach Jerry Buchanan. "We've got a little better batting average than last year, but I wouldn't call us the favorites."

Ranked third in the same 1A coaches poll and playing on its home field, the favorite tag might better suit Oran. The Eagles have remained ranked all season long in compiling a 20-3 record.

"With the game being at our place and we're playing as well as we have, I feel we might have the upper hand," said Oran coach Mitch Wood. "These kids want to win."

Senior Justin McAlister (7-0, 1.94 ERA) will take the hill for Oran with Holcomb ace and coach's son, Josh Buchanan (8-1, 1.83 ERA), starting for the Hornets.

"Hopefully we can get to (Buchanan) and knock him out," said Wood. "We've hit the good pitchers just as well as the mediocre ones."

Lately, the Eagles have been muscling up at the plate. With just nine home runs in the regular season, Oran matched that total in its final two district games.

"The guys are starting to hit the ball better and the biggest reason is we're hitting good pitches," Wood said. "Pitching has been a strength all season, but the way we're swinging the bats, I'd be silly if I didn't say hitting was a strength now."

Senior catcher Jeff Schaefer has raised his batting average considerably over the last few games and leads Oran with a .418 mark. McAlister (.405) and juniors Dustin Dannenmueller (.400) and Billy Loper (.395) are following close behind.

Holcomb is led offensively by shortstop Justin Gentry's .464 average. Infielders Chris Seats (.368) and Adam Tucker (.385) are also offensive threats. Seats is also the Hornets' No. 2 pitcher with a 2-2 record and 4.74 ERA.

"We sound a lot alike," Wood said. "We both have a lot of kids hitting the baseball well."

Both squads also appear to be peaking at the right time after rolling through their respective districts.

Oran outscored its three district opponents 36-6, with the closest contest a 6-3 title-game win over Advance. Holcomb won its opening district game 11-1 and then pounded Gideon 10-0 for the championship.

"We did a pretty good job playing baseball and we're going to have to play pretty good to beat (Oran)," Buchanan said. "They look like they can hit the ball pretty well and play pretty good defense.

"They look like a pretty solid ballclub."

Oran's three loses came to 4A schools Poplar Bluff and Sikeston and 2A squad Chaffee. Holcomb dropped its four games to 2A schools South Pemiscot, Puxico, Caruthersville and Senath-Hornersville.

"We beefed up the schedule (this season) and that could end up helping us a lot," said Wood, who last year saw his team lose its second game of the season in the district title game. "We've seen some really good teams."