Oran prevails in 11-inning marathon, winning 4-0 over Chaffee

CHAFFEE, Mo. — In a game that stretched into extra innings, Oran emerged victorious with a hard-fought 4-0 win over Chaffee at Harmon Field on Monday, April 24.

The contest between the Eagles (10-3) and Red Devils (14-5) was a true test of endurance and perseverance, as both teams battled fiercely throughout.

“What a game by two of the better pitchers and small schools in the area,” said Oran coach Joe Bickings. “We knew coming in that it was going to be a dogfight. Any time Oran and Chaffee play one another it's going to be a great game. It's a rivalry game with us being conference opponents and only being eight miles from one another. Our team battled out there today and although we didn't do some little things right we were able to overcome adversity and win a great against a really tough opponent in Chaffee.”

Chaffee had runners on first and second base with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Oran was able to get out of the jam and extend the game.

“That was a key moment for us,” Bickings said. “We were able to refocus and get out of the inning by getting the lead runner out at third [base] on a bunt attempt and then Kolten Payne being our ace and getting two big strikeouts to finish off his night.”

Payne started the game and threw nine scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts, one walk and allowed just two hits.

The Eagles were able to get a runner on base in the top of the 10th inning but couldn’t capitalize on any runs.

However, the team was able to break through in the ensuing inning.

“Before the 11th inning started, I told the team that we needed to make this our inning and we need to get more than one run,” Bickings said. “We were able to take advantage of two errors on Chaffee’s end and put a four-spot up. I loved that they responded to my challenge.”

Kole Burger led the inning off with a single. Payne was then intentionally walked on the next at-bat.

Oran put its first points on the scoreboard when Burger and Payne scored on an error a few moments later.

The Eagles increased the lead to 4-0 after Nolan Loper singled on a line drive to left field to score Brenden Campbell and Luke Peterson.

Parker Bryant pitched the final two innings for Oran and struck out five of the six batters he faced, while not giving up any runs, hits, or walking any batters.

“[Bryant] came in and did an excellent job,” Bickings said. “He held Chaffee in check while we finally put some runs on the board. He closed the door on them.”

Oran travels to Poplar Bluff (8-11) on Tuesday, April 25, and hosts Charleston (5-8) on Thursday, April 27.

Chaffee will host Woodland (11-6) on Thursday, April 27, and on the road at Malden (2-13) on Friday, April 28.

__ORAN 4, CHAFFEE 0, F/11__

Oran 000 000 000 04 — 4 11 1

Chaffee 000 000 000 00 — 0 2 3

W—Parker Bryant. L—Kade Atkins. 2B—Oran: Carson Kern.