High school baseball: Cooter trims Risco for Tri-Co title

ARBYRD — Cooter High School’s Brayson Green did it all during Wednesday’s Tri-County Conference championship game versus Risco.

Green delivered with the bat, bopping a first-inning home run with an impressive launch angle deep over the fence in center field — putting the Wildcats up 2-0.

Green added another RBI in the bottom of the third.

Cooter High School's Jayden McElvain lays down the perfect bunt during the third inning of the Tri-County Conference championship game dated Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. The Wildcats trimmed Risco, 3-2, for the title. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

And then he finished off the Tigers as the Wildcats’ relief pitcher, earning the save while striking out four in 1 2/3 innings of work.

“Green was huge for us with that home run,” longtime Cooter head coach David Mathis said — also crediting Jayden McElvain for laying down a key sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the third, advancing Ryce Lynn to second.

Green later blooped a single to center field to score Lynn with the insurance run the Wildcats would ultimately need.

Risco's Aaron Denson scored one of two Tiger runs in the sixth inning. However, Risco still fell short in the Tri-County Conference championship, losing to Cooter, 3-2. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“He was able to come in and pitch with velocity,” Mathis said. “He’s a competitor, and I think Risco struggled to catch up with him (his pitches).”

So much for the theory Cooter would be down during the fall 2023 campaign.

The Wildcats (11-8) were both the Tri-County Conference regular season and tournament champions, receiving both plaques from Southland head baseball coach/athletic director Ben Nelson.

Using a vintage background setting, the Cooter High School baseball team celebrated winning the Tri-County Championship on Wednesday, Sept. 27, in Arbyrd.(Photo and photo design by Eric Viccaro, staff)

After facing tough competition at the U.S. Ballpark Showcase at Sky Bacon Stadium in Ozark in late August, the Wildcats showed they were more than seasoned enough to still be a factor around these parts.

Mathis was proud of the Wildcats for producing clutch hits early in the game, and also applauded a Risco squad that’s had a strong season.

“Risco has put in a lot of work and played a lot of games,” Mathis said.

The Tigers finished with a record of 12-12.

“Cooter was able to get the big hits early on,” Risco head coach Brandon Blankenship noted. “After Green hit that two-run home run, I felt our guys settled in a bit. We didn’t panic, and we kept battling.”

Blankenship said Cooter starting pitcher Talan King was able to keep Risco batters off-balance — and the Tigers didn’t get adjusted until scoring twice in the top of the sixth.

Kadin Carlisle reached base on a Cooter error and Aaron Denson walked, which set the table.

Risco’s leading hitter, Landon Baker scored Carlisle with an RBI single. Sammy Smith followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to deep center, scoring Denson.

That’s when Green came in to slam the door shut.

Risco’s coaching staff opted to start Garrett Hicks, and he made it through 2 2/3 innings before Baker replaced him.

Baker struck out four, walked one and allowed just two hit in three-plus scoreless frames. The Tigers also played clean defense without any errors.

Both coaches complimented the Southland school district for serving as host and ensuring the field was tournament-ready.

The event had a better atmosphere with six participating teams, beginning on Monday, Sept. 25.

Next year, Clarkton has indicated it will rejoin the fray of participating in fall baseball.

BASEBALL

Tri-County Conference Tournament

At Arbyrd

Monday, Sept. 25

First Round

Holcomb 17, Southland 2 (3)

Gideon 17, Delta C-7 2 (3)

Tuesday, Sept. 26

Semifinals

Cooter 5, Holcomb 0

Risco 12, Gideon 4

Wednesday, Sept. 27

Championship

Cooter 3, Risco 2

Other scores

Thursday, Sept. 28

Campbell 15, Neelyville 5

LINESCORE

Championship Game

Cooter 3, Risco 2

Risco 000 002 0 — 2 5 0

Cooter 201 000 X — 3 3 2

WP: Talan King, Cooter; LP: Garrett Hicks, Risco; Sv: Brayson Green, Cooter

HR: Green, Cooter; there were no other extra-base hits in the game.