Dirnberger's gem, Loper's 3 RBIs launch Oran into Class 1 State Championship Game

OZARK, Mo. — The mercy rule was invoked, but make no mistake, Oran showed none to Green City.

It was a display of pure baseball brutality as the Eagles (18-5) unleashed a torrent of runs, anchored by disciplined pitching and airtight defense, to drop an 11-0 hammer on the Gophers (19-8) in a MSHSAA Class 1 Semifinal at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex on Monday, May 27. 

“It feels good to put up a win like that,” said Oran coach Joe Bickings. “We haven’t been hitting it very well but today we put the bat on the ball. I always say the keys are going to be pitching, defense and timely hitting, and today, we got all three.”

Gabe Dirnberger (25) throws a strike during Oran's 11-0 win over Green City in the MSHSAA Class 1 Semifinal Round at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex on Monday, May 27, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Gabe Dirnberger was simply untouchable on the mound. Entering, the game with a minuscule 0.677 ERA, he lowered it even further with a five-inning masterpiece. 

Dirnberger’s surgical command was evident in his 71 percent strike rate, scattering three hits while fanning five and walking just one. 

His shutout performance served as the bedrock upon which the run-rule rout was built. 

Assistant coach Jonathan Simpher celebrates with Cooper Senciboy (9) during Oran's 11-0 win over Green City in the MSHSAA Class 1 Semifinal Round at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex on Monday, May 27, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“Words can’t describe what [Dirnberger] means to this team,” Bickings said. “He attacks the zone with a four-pitch arsenal, competes with every fiber of his being and has unwavering faith in the defense.”

Dirneberger’s dominance on the hill set the table for a feast at the plate. 

In the second inning, Nolan Loper and Parker Bryant crossed home plate on the same misplayed ball, and Brenden Campbell promptly cashed in with an RBI single that scored Rolen Heuring to stretch the lead to 3-0.

Head coach Joe Bickings congratulates Rylan Mills (4) after a big hit during Oran's 11-0 win over Green City in the MSHSAA Class 1 Semifinal Round at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex on Monday, May 27, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

In the third inning, Loper's line drive double to center field plated Bryant for another run.

But the Eagles were far from finished. With their confidence surging and the Gophers reeling, the bats erupted in the fourth inning. 

Rylan Mills kickstarted the offensive fireworks with a two-RBI double, scoring Campbell and Kole Burger. On the next at-bat, Mills scored on a Dirnberger RBI double, a frozen rope that nearly cleared the 330-foot left field wall.

Rolen Heuring (6) slides into home for a run during Oran's 11-0 win over Green City in the MSHSAA Class 1 Semifinal Round at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex on Monday, May 27, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“They made some early errors that loosened us up,” Bickings said. “Early on, we were probably a little bit tight and nervous, but them kicking it around definitely helped us. We were able to relax.”

Carson Kern followed with an RBI single on a line drive to center, plating Tyler Brashear.

Loper, not content with his earlier heroics, doubled for the second time, a screamer into the gap to plate Kern and Bryant. Loper then scored the final run of the game on a line out by Cooper Senciboy.

Carson Kern (21) sprints during Oran's 11-0 win over Green City in the MSHSAA Class 1 Semifinal Round at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex on Monday, May 27, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“We were just ready today,” Loper said. “We knew we had to come out here, get the big hits and get the job done. We know what to exact when we come up here and play. All these teams are here for a reason so we have to play our best ball.”

While Green City struggled to field the ball cleanly, committing five errors, Loper showcased his defensive brilliance at shortstop. He was an anchor of Oran’s errorless defense, making several fundamental sound plays that left the Gophers shaking their heads in frustration. 

“Big-time players step up in big-time games,” Bickings said. “Loper was phenomenal, coming to get some tough short hops and at the plate. 

“When other teams make errors and mistakes, you have to make them pay for it,” he continued. “It was good to see us take advantage. Hopefully, we carry all of this into the game tomorrow.”

The victory was merely a precursor to the ultimate goal. 

Now, with momentum surging and confidence brimming, No. 4 Oran sets its sights on a clash with No. 6 Sacred Heart (25-4) in the state championship game on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

This marks the Eagles’ eighth appearance in the title game, a stage they previously conquered three times. 

While the Eagles and Gremlins hail from opposite corners of the state, they are no strangers. Oran defeated Sacred Heart 7-3 in the 2002 third-place game, adding a layer of history to this championship showdown.

__ORAN 11, GREEN CITY 0__

G. City 000 00x x — 0 3 5

Oran 031 7xx x — 11 7 0

W—Gabe Dirnberger. L—Jaden O’Haver. 2B—Oran: Nolan Loper (2), Dirnberger, Rylan Mills.