Oran leans on experience in quarterfinal

~ The Eagles' offense struggled against Cooter last time out.

Oran's baseball team has made the state final four in four of the past five seasons and in each of its last six state playoff appearances.

Valle Catholic picked up its first state playoff win Wednesday in a Class 1 sectional against Winona.

The Eagles will pit their playoff experience against Valle in a 4 p.m. quarterfinal today at Oran.

"We take these one game at a time starting in district," Oran coach Mitch Wood said. "It's a big game and we've been there before. We've won some and we've lost some. We hope we can come out and play the best game we can and they play the best game they can and let the best team go on."

Both teams are coming off shutout wins. Oran was able to knock off Cooter 3-0 despite getting just two hits from its potent offense. Senior left-hander Chase Seyer went the distance in the win.

Seyer did not walk or strike out a batter, allowing his defense to help him. The Eagles (24-4) turned two double plays and came up big in a bases-loaded no out situation in the fourth inning.

"It was huge," Wood said of the defense. "That's why I tell the kids every day we're not always going to hit, but we can always play defense and pitch well."

Oran likely will choose between juniors Alex Chasteen and Steven Dooley for today's start. Both pitchers have had their share of success during the season and throughout their varsity careers. Chasteen has not pitched since the start of district, but was 6-0 through the regular season.

Seyer also has three innings left for his week and was not taxed in Wednesday's win.

"We've been pretty comfortable and pretty fortunate with our pitching," Wood said. "We still have a kid who's 6-0 who hasn't thrown in postseason play. They both have been pitching well and I wouldn't be surprised to see them both pitch [today]. Chase only threw 70 pitches [Wednesday]. We'll do whatever it takes."

Valle has its own ace to throw at the Eagles. The Warriors will likely start senior Nathan Grass. Grass one-hit Saxony Lutheran in the Class 1 District 3 championship game last week.

The Warriors enter the game 26-2. Valle has won 22 of its last 23 games.

"He sounds like a tough little pitcher," Wood said of Grass. "We've got some good scouting reports on them and they sound like a good quality team."

Oran has won 12 straight heading into today's game. The winner will play the winner of the New Haven/Northeast quarterfinal Wednesday in Springfield, Mo.