Oran extends win streak, sets up conference showdown

It's been a busy week for Oran, picking up three quality wins and earning the No. 2 seed in the upcoming MSHSAA Class 1, District 2 Tournament.

The Lady Eagles (11-4) continued their winning ways with a 7-3 victory over the Portageville (15-8) Lady Bulldogs on Thursday, April 25.

“We played an all-around good game,” said Oran coach Jim Eftink. “We got good pitching and defense, and we got some timely hits. It was probably the first time all year we put all three together. Portageville is a quality team. They hit the ball well and they have good cuts. They fielded the ball well and they have solid pitching.”

Molly Spane, Oran's ace and one of the region’s top players, showcased her skills on both sides of the game. She pitched a complete game, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out 10. The senior also went 2-for-4 offensively, with a double and three RBIs.

“She was in control today and had her typical game,” Eftink said. “We had some other players that stood out. Kendall Burger is red hot right now hitting the ball and Bralynn Morgan is a catalyst that gets us going but it was up and down the lineup today. They came out ready to play and everyone contributed.”

Bralynn Morgan led Oran's offensive charge, going a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Ava Forehand and Caroline Brashear both contributed with 2-for-3 performances.

Portageville's Aubrey Greenwell pitched six innings, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits. The offense was led by Laney Stone, Ja'Niya Smith, and Mia Scherer, who each tallied two hits. Scherer also drove in a run.

Oran's impressive week also included wins over two other strong Southeast Missouri teams. They defeated a much-improved New Madrid County Central (12-7) squad 9-2 on Tuesday, April 23, with Spane delivering another dominant pitching performance.

“That was a hard-fought game too,” Eftink said. “We are still sore from that game. We did a lot of running and tore up some knees and elbows. NMCC is also a quality team and I was impressed.”

Spane threw a complete game, striking out 14 batters and allowing no earned runs on four hits.

Kolie Morgan (2-for-2 with two RBIs and three runs) and Burger (2-for-4 with an RBI and a run) paced the Oran offense.

Oran followed that up with a 16-6 victory over Scott County Central (9-10) on Wednesday, April 24.

Kolie Morgan earned the win, throwing four innings and allowing one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts.

Spane closed out the game, pitching two innings of hitless relief with six strikeouts.

Bralynn Morgan (3-for-4, four runs scored), Spane (2-for-4, two RBIs), Kendall Burger (2-for-4, three runs scored), and Brashear (3-for-4 with three RBIs) led the Lady Eagles’ offensive surge.

“SCC is improving every year,” Eftink said. “Coach Tim Carlisle does a good job and he has those girls going in the right direction. He always has them ready to play.”

The victories set up a crucial matchup. If Orans defeat Oak Ridge (11-4) on Monday, April 29, its game against Scott City (17-5) on Wednesday, May 1, will decide the championship of the Scott-Mississippi Conference.

Oran will then face seventh-seeded Delta (3-12) in the opening round of the Class 1, District 2 Tournament at Advance on Friday, May 3.

__ORAN 7, PORTAGEVILLE 3__

P’Ville 100 000 2 — 3 6 3

Oran 101 212 x — 7 11 3

W—Molly Spane. L—Aubrey Greenwell. 2B—Oran: Bralynn Morgan, Spane.

__ORAN 16, SCC 6, F/6__

SCC 022 200 x — 6 2 2

Oran 270 151 x — 16 12 3

W—Kolie Morgan. L—Bailey Harper. 2B—SCC: Briley Couch; Oran: Allison Burke.

__ORAN 9, NMCC 2__

Oran 000 021 6 — 9 7 2

NMCC 101 000 0 — 2 4 3

W—Molly Spane. L—Joebeth Riley. 2B—Oran: Bralynn Morgan Caroline Brashear, Kendall Burger. 3B—NMCC: Destiny Hughes.