Nazarenus nails it: Cooter advances to state quarterfinals with walk-off win over Oran

COOTER, Mo. — In the tight-knit community of Cooter, Missouri, they’ll be talking about this one for a long time.

In a MSHSAA Class 1 Sectional against Oran, Hayden Nazarenus delivered a moment of magic for the No. 1 ranked Wildcats (23-6). With the game tied in extra innings, the senior power hitter stepped to the plate and launch a walk-off home run that sealed a 2-1 victory over the No. 3 ranked Eagles (17-5) at Cooter High School on Monday, May 22.

“I wanted to see something straight and I wanted to be on time with it,” Nazarenus said. “I got ahead in the count and got the pitch I was looking for. We spend a lot of time practicing in the cages, and I just put a barrel on it.”

Cooter's Brayson Green (20) tags out Oran's Gabe Dirnberger (25)�during a 2-1 win at Cooter High School on Monday, May 22, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Oran came out swinging in the opening frame, taking an early 1-0 lead after Luke Peterson doubled to score Robby Menz.

Menz was pinch-running for Nic Massey, who reached base after ripping a line-drive single.

However, Cooter evened the score in the bottom of the fourth inning after Nazarenus scored after tagging up.

Oran's Kolten Payne (1) throws a pitch�during a 2-1 loss at Cooter High School on Monday, May 22, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Nazarenus reached base after a double to lead off the inning.

“They blinked first and we got a run, and then we blinked,” said Oran coach Joe Bickings. “It just comes down to some execution plays. We had runners on, but we just couldn’t get that big hit when we needed it.”

In a clash of titans, the starting pitchers dueled with the ferocity of prizefighters and both teams struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Oran finished 1-for-6, while Cooter was 0-for-5 in those situations.

Cooter's Luke Barnes (13) takes a swing�during a 2-1 win over Oran at Cooter High School on Monday, May 22, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“It’s a war every year with these two programs,” said Cooter coach David Mathis. “I love [Oran coach Joe] Bickings. We went to college together and we have nothing but respect for Oran. That’s a top-notch program.”

In a pivotal moment of the game, Oran loaded the bases with just one out after Gabe Dirnberger was walked, and Brenden Campbell and Kole Burger hit singles in the top of the eighth inning.

However, the Wildcats’ defense came up big with a double play to end the inning. A pop fly was caught with ease and a baserunner was thrown out at home plate, preventing the Eagles from taking the lead.

Oran's Carson Kern (21) toss to first base for an out�during a 2-1 loss at Cooter High School on Monday, May 22, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“All of our guys battled in counts today,” Mathis said. “But the big thing was that play in left field. Tyson Banks comes up, throws a guy out, and gives us some momentum. He’s done it all year long. He got behind the ball and he has a really good arm. We knew he had a chance, but he threw him out by several steps.”

Nazarenus homered to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning on a 2-1 count.

“As soon as he hit it I knew it was gone,’ said Cooter’s Luke Barnes, who was on deck at the time. “Everybody was a hype and it was a great moment for us to share with as a team. We were confident in him. Maybe I could hit him over if he got on, but he did it himself.”

Oran's Carson Kern (21) sprints for first base�during a 2-1 loss at Cooter High School on Monday, May 22, 2023.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Nazarenus also earned the win on the mound after throwing the final 1.2 innings, not allowing any runs on one hit with one strikeout and one walked batter.

Barnes started the game and pitched the first seven innings, allowing one earned run on two hits with 14 strikeouts and three walks.

“I knew what I had to do and did it for the most part,” Barnes said. “This year we had a mission. We’ve been working all year for this and we finally did it.”

Barnes continued his dominant form today, building on his remarkable 19-strikeout performance in the district championship.

“It was an unbelievable effort on the mound,” Mathis said. “We battled and had a stud on the mound. That’s what happens. We couldn’t have scripted any better than how it turned out. Now we get to move on and play for a chance to go the final four.”

Cooter will face Greenwood (12-9) in a Class 1 Quarterfinal on Wednesday, May 24.

“Man, we battled and didn’t make many mistakes,” Nazarenus said. “We competed the whole game and grinded it out. We prepared for this. They’ve been able to capitalize on our mistakes in the past but today we didn’t make many.

“We have a chip on our shoulder from basketball season,” he continued. “We’re going to come into that game with a lot of energy, do what we have to do, and play how we know we capable of playing.”

Oran’s impressive performance in the game is a testament to the team’s unwavering dedication and unrelenting spirit.

As one of the most accomplished squads in recent memory, this group of seniors has left an indelible mark on the storied history of Eagles’ baseball.

“These guys got three banners in three years,” said Bickings, his voice thick with emotion. “Two of them were state banners and one for a district championship. You can’t ask for more out of a group of seniors. I know all five of them will be fine young men, do some good things, and be very successful.”

__COOTER 2, ORAN 1, F/9__

Oran 100 000 000 — 1 4 0

Cooter 000 100 001 — 2 3 1

W—Hayden Nazarenus. L—Kolten Payne. 2B—Oran: Luke Peterson; Cooter: Nazarenus. HR—Cooter: Nazarenus.