ORAN MEETS VAN BUREN IN 1A QUARTERFINAL

Being birds of prey, the Oran Eagles are familiar with "the taste."

"The taste" is the Class 1A Final Four and Eagles are on the brink of a wonderful sensation on their palate.

Oran finished as the 1A state runner-up last year and the Eagles have been on a season-long quest to return to Columbia.

Oran (20-5) appears to have the table set in their favor when Van Buren (17-6) comes calling in today's 2 p.m. quarterfinal game in Oran.

"They're definitely excited and can taste it," said Oran coach Mitch Wood. "Win or lose, the kids want it. They'll be ready to play."

Experience will definitely be on the side of Oran, which has won five district titles in the last six years and is playing in its fourth quarterfinal during that span. By comparison, Van Buren last won its district in 1993 and has not played in a quarterfinal game in at least 26 years.

While Van Buren threw ace Tommy Chilton all eight innings of Thursday's 3-2 sectional victory over Eminence, Oran cruised to a 10-0, six-inning thumping of Bernie.

Ace Dustin Glastetter (11-2, 1.78 E.R.A) threw six innings and will have four innings of eligibility left for today's game. Chilton has just two innings left.

If both appear today, it will be in relief roles. The teams are putting their fate into the hands of their No. 2 pitchers. For Van Buren, that's junior right-hander Jerrod Roberts (4-3), while Oran turns to senior Dustin Dannenmueller (8-2, 2.52).

Roberts appears to be the bigger drop in quality from the No. 1 starter.

Dannenmueller pitched in last year's 1A state championship game and pitched in the district championship game this year.

"They're both quality pitchers," said Wood of Glastetter and Dannenmueller. "I don't think Dannenmueller throws as hard, but he has a real good breaking pitch. He spots the ball as good as Glastetter, if not better."

According to Van Buren coach Don Mabry, Roberts throws hard and "when his curveball is on it's pretty good."

Both teams are hoping offense will be able to take pressure off the pitching. Oran's offense came to life with 14 hits against Bernie.

"The other day against Bernie it was the first time we hit the ball real well," said Wood. "Pitching and defense have been our main stay."

Oran's offense boasts three hitters over .409 -- Billy Loper (.439), Dannenmueller (.432) and Adam Friga (.410) -- and four more over .321.

Philip Seyer and Dannenmueller both have a team-leading four home runs. Dannenmueller, who bats third, has knocked in a team-high 39 runs.

While Chilton may not be able to help Van Buren much on the mound, the Bulldogs will be hoping to draw on his .617 batting average.

Roberts is also a big part of the offense with a .440 average, four home runs and a team-high 36 RBIs. Freshman Corey Faler (.406) and junior Brandon Mayberry (.312, 8 HRs) are also key weapons.

Van Buren enters with a four-game win streak, having lost a 6-5 decision to 2A Clearwater just prior to the start of districts. Van Buren has also suffered losses to Dora, Greenville, Ellington and East Carter.

Oran has won its last nine games and has beaten several strong 2A schools -- Chaffee and Kelly -- as well as 4A Sikeston this year. Oran's losses have been to Notre Dame, Poplar Bluff, Hayti, Dexter and Advance.

"We feel we can throw out schedule up against any 1A or 2A school," said Wood. "Hopefully it's going to help us down the stretch."