SportsMay 30, 2024
Done Deal: Oran routs Sacred Heart in Class 1 State Championship, Eagles’ all-business approach leads to 4th title
OZARK, Mo. — There is no denying, Oran didn't just win the MSHSAA Class 1 State Title; it rewrote the script for dominating the diamond on the biggest and brightest stage. Leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and making a mockery of the competition, the Eagles (20-5) cemented a legacy as one of the most dominant teams in recent memory with an 11-1 thrashing of the Sacred Heart Gremlins (25-5) in the championship game at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex on Tuesday, May 28...
Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat
OZARK, Mo. — There is no denying, Oran didn't just win the MSHSAA Class 1 State Title; it rewrote the script for dominating the diamond on the biggest and brightest stage.
Leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and making a mockery of the competition, the Eagles (20-5) cemented a legacy as one of the most dominant teams in recent memory with an 11-1 thrashing of the Sacred Heart Gremlins (25-5) in the championship game at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex on Tuesday, May 28.
It marked a second straight mercy-rule victory at the final four, a feat accomplished by only two other teams since 2009.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Oran coach Joe Bickings, the usually unflappable skipper allowing himself a brief moment of vulnerability as he reflected on the magnitude of the championship win. “All I ever wanted to do was come back to Oran, be a coach and try to bring home state championships. It’s a blessing I’ll never take for granted.”
For Oran's seniors, this championship was the culmination of a journey paved with both triumph and adversity.
They had tasted victory as freshmen, albeit from the sidelines, and endured the bitter sting of defeat as sophomores in the championship game.
Those experiences, both sweet and sour, forged a team of hardened veterans, their resolve tempered in the crucible of high-stakes baseball.
They arrived in Ozark dressed for success, sporting suits as a symbol of an all-business approach. This wasn't just a game; it was a mission, a quest for redemption, and nothing was going to stand in their way.
“We wanted to have fun, but it was all about business when we crossed those lines,” Bickings said. “We stayed mentally focused and had everything working. We had great pitching all weekend. We had great hits, we took advantage of errors and walks, and we applied a lot of pressure.”
The championship game, however, didn't start according to plan.
Sacred Heart threatened to steal the momentum early, drawing first blood in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single by Gavin Caldwell, and with runners on first and third, the Gremlins appeared poised to inflict further harm.
But Parker Bryant had a changeup in store, slamming the door shut on the budding rally. The junior ace struck out the next two batters to end the inning, a pivotal moment that would ultimately shape the course of the game.
“Sometimes things can snowball, but [Bryant] limited the damage and lit a fire,” Bickings said. “He’s worked his tail off to get right, and the last few weeks, he’s been as good as anyone we’ve got.”
That single in the first inning proved to be the only blemish on Bryant's otherwise flawless performance. He settled into a groove, mowing down the Gremlins, and his final line told the story of a pitcher in complete control: five innings pitched, one unearned run, one hit, and 11 strikeouts out of 20 batters faced. His ability to command the zone and keep hitters off balance was a driving force.
“This is such a surreal feeling,” Bryant said. “That loss in the championship game my freshman year stuck with me. It made this win that much sweeter, especially the way we dominated against some really good teams. The emotions were intense, and it was an unforgettable experience to play in this game."
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Inspired by Bryant's resilience on the mound, the Eagles' offense answered the call, mirroring their semifinal explosion with a seven-run second inning that put them firmly in control of the championship game.
“It was a big confidence boost,” Bryant said. “It let me settle in and have all my pitches working.”
Oran found its rhythm with back-to-back singles by Carson Kern and Bryant to start the inning, before Nolan Loper drew a walk to load the bases. Kern scored on an error to tie the game, and the floodgates opened.
Cooper Senciboy was hit by a pitch, scoring Tyler Brashear. A wild pitch allowed Loper to scamper home, and a groundout by Kole Burger plated Rolen Heuring for a 4-1 advantage.
The Eagles' offensive barrage continued as Brenden Campbell sent a rocket into the outfield, racing around the bases for an electrifying inside-the-park home run that plated two more runs.
Rylan Mills capped the scoring spree with a towering solo homer that cleared the left field wall, igniting a frenzy among the Oran faithful and widening the lead to a commanding 7-1.
"I had a game plan going up there, and I wasn't trying to do too much," Mills said of his monumental blast. "They gave me a pitch I was looking for, and I didn't miss. There are a lot of emotions going on, and it's hard to explain them. For most people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime game. It's awesome to have the opportunity to be in this position."
The fourth inning brought more of the same offensive firepower. Burger and Campbell led off with consecutive singles. Burger scored on a fielder's choice by Gabe Dirnberger, and Kern followed with an RBI single to left field, plating Campbell.
Dirnberger then dashed home on a passed ball, stretching the advantage to 10-1.
Oran tacked on their final run in the fifth, as Mills scored on a hard-hit single by Dirnberger.
Every member of the Eagles' lineup, except for Bryant (who was replaced by a pinch runner), had the thrill of crossing home plate in the championship game, a resounding display of depth and versatility.
“It’s overwhelming right now,” Bickings said. “I can’t put into words how well we played these two games, but it’s the best we’ve played all season.
"Our early season record might have raised some eyebrows," he continued, alluding to the Eagles' 1-2 start and a 4-4 mark through eight games. "But we embraced the challenge of a tough schedule. It exposed us to some of the best pitching in the state, and that experience proved invaluable in the playoffs."
As the final out settled into the glove of Dirnberger, snagged from a ground ball fielded by the sure-handed Loper, a new chapter in Oran's storied baseball history was written.
For this senior class, it’s a glorious end to an era defined by an 81-18 overall record, four district titles, three final four appearances, and two state championships, a legacy that will inspire future generations of Eagles to reach for greatness.
__ORAN 11, SACRED HEART 1, F/5__
Oran 070 31x x — 11 8 1
S. Heart 100 00x x — 1 2 2
W—Parker Bryant (6-3). L—Connor Rice (6-2). 3B—Oran: Rylan Mills. HR—Oran: Brenden Campbell, Mills.
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