BRIEFLY: ADVANCE, ORAN RANKED IN BASEBALL

Advance and Oran are ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the preseason Class 1A state baseball poll as determined by the Missouri Baseball Coaches Association.

No other teams from the immediate area were ranked in any of the other classes in the preseason poll.

Potosi is fifth in 3A. In 2A, Senath-Hornersville is second, Bismarck third, Clearwater fourth and South Pemiscot fifth. Holcomb is seventh in 1A.

The preseason No. 1 teams in the four classes are St. Louis Chaminade (4A), Kearney (3A), Kansas City St. Pius X (2A) and Macks Creek (1A).

The 1999 baseball season begins in mid-to-late March for most of the teams around the state.