Oran Eagles keep flying high with ninth district title in the past 12 seasons

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The Oran baseball dynasty showed no signs of slowing down, as the team soared to its fifth straight district championship with a 4-0 win over Bell City in the MSHSAA Class 1, District 2 title game at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Tuesday, May 16.

Led by the lights-out pitching of ace Kolten Payne and the powerful bat of sophomore slugger Carson Kern, the Class 1, No. 3 ranked Eagles (17-4) delivered yet another championship-winning performance that reinforced their position as a Class 1 Juggernaut and a perennial powerhouse.

“Every single championship is special,” said Oran coach Joe Bickings. “Especially this one with this senior crew. They lost their freshman season due to COVID and turned around a won three straight district championships. It’s a special moment to be able to share with the entire team.”

Oran's Kolten Payne (1) throws a pitch�during�a 4-0 win over Bell City in the MSHSAA Class, District 2 Championship at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Despite the Cubs (8-13) getting a couple of runners on base in the top of the first inning, Payne swiftly slammed the door close. Payne earned the win after throwing 6.1 scoreless innings and allowing just two hits with an astonishing 16 strikeouts.

“He battled,” Bickings said. “He’ll probably be the first one to tell you that he didn’t have his best stuff today, but he went out there in true ‘Bulldog’ fashion and gave it his all.”

Bell City finished the game 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Oran celebrates after a 4-0 win over Bell City in the MSHSAA Class, District 2 Championship at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

In the bottom of the opening inning, Oran took an early lead after Luke Peterson’s ground ball single to left field scored Payne.

The Eagles widened their lead to 2-0 with an impressive home run from Carson Kern that sailed over the left field wall in the bottom of the second inning. The feat was particularly remarkable given that the game was played on a college field with larger dimensions.

“It felt great,” Kern said. “It’s a big field but I got ahold of it and it just kept carrying. I’ve been struggling pretty much all season and I’ve just been trying to stay on it, take it up the middle and hit the ball hard. I was able to adjust.”

Oran's Gabe Dirnberger (25) takes a swing during�a 4-0 win over Bell City in the MSHSAA Class, District 2 Championship at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

The home run was the highlight of the game and a testament to Kern’s adaptivity and skill in making strategic moves at the plate.

“What was great about that at-bat was the adjustment he made after hooking the first pitch,” Bickings said. “He was able to do that by keeping his hands inside the baseball.”

Oran continued to control the game in the bottom of the third inning, adding two more runs to extend the lead to a comfortable 4-0.

Bell City's Dawson Loomes (12) throws to first base for an out�during�a 4-0 loss to Oran in the MSHSAA Class, District 2 Championship at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Those runs came after Kole Burger scored on a bases-loaded walk and Kern singled to score Parker Bryant.

“It was good to jump on them and give ourselves a little bit of time to breath,” Bickings said. “Those runs help settle [Payne] down a little bit. He was a little amped up and he probably threw 25 pitches in that first inning, but then he was able to settle down and compete.”

Bryant picked up the final two outs with a pair of strikeouts. He also allowed one hit and walked a batter.

Oran head coach Joe Bickings give Gabe Dirnberger (25) some words of encouragement before an at bat�during�a 4-0 win over Bell City in the MSHSAA Class, District 2 Championship at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

With the weight of expectations and pressure on their shoulders, the Eagles know that staying focused and grounded is key to their success.

“It’s a great feeling and it's special every time you win a championship,” Kern said. “But I also feel we are expected to win, and it can be difficult and a little nerve-racking with that on our back, but played well and came out on top. Hopefully, we can keep it going and keep winning.”

The game being moved to Capaha Park was a double-edged sword for Oran. On one hand, the team had the opportunity to play at a wonderful ballpark, which added to the excitement and prestige of the championship game. On the other hand, it meant that the Eagles’ seniors lost their last chance to play on their home field.

“I’m sure our seniors wanted that last game at home,” Kern said. “But this a nice field and we still had an excellent turnout from the fans who came to support us.”

Oran’s next challenge will be a familiar one, as they will travel to Class 1, No. 1 ranked Cooter (22-6) for a sectional round matchup on Monday, May 22.

It will be the fifth consecutive season that the two teams have met in the playoffs, with the Eagles holding a 3-1 advantage in those previous contests.

“It’s going to be a battle at their place,” Bickings concluded. “If we want to be able to give ourselves a chance to win, we have to get good pitching, good defense and timing hitting. [Cooter] has a good program down there, and I couldn’t tell you how many times Oran and Cooter have met in that sectional game, but it seems like it happens every year.

“Every year it's a battle,” he continued. “We just have to make sure we’re playing our best ball. We will enjoy this today but we have to come to practice ready to work for the rest of the week.”

__ORAN 4. COOTER 0__

BC 000 000 0 — 0 3 1

Oran 112 000 0 — 4 4 0

W—Kolten Payne. L—Jacob Asher. HR—Oran: Carson Kern.