Oran rips Bernie 13-1 for another district title

LEOPOLD — Not that the Oran High School baseball team doesn't appreciate district titles.

It's just that the Eagles have their sights set on a much bigger prize — a state championship.

That's why the Eagles' celebration was fairly subdued after they rolled to the Class 1 District 2 crown.

"Obviously it's nice," senior Kody Campbell said. "But I don't think anybody will really be satisfied unless we win the whole thing."

Top-seeded Oran completed a dominant run through the tournament with Friday's 13-1 rout of second-seeded Bernie in a game that was stopped after 4 1/2 innings by the 10-run mercy rule.

The Eagles (21-4), ranked fourth in the state, outscored their three district opponents by a combined score of 52-4.

"We get excited," senior Caleb Seyer said of the Eagles' latest district title. "But we know there's more to win."

Bernie shortstop Jake Welch was unable to tag Oran base stealer Caleb Seyer during their Class 1 District 2 championship game Friday in Leopold. KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com

Oran, which will host Cooter (21-2) in Monday's sectional round, claimed its sixth district championship in the last seven years and the program's 16th overall.

The Eagles excelled in all areas against Bernie (15-8), much to coach Mitch Wood's delight.

"We played really well. This is what you hope for this time of the year," said Wood, who has led the Eagles to four trips to the state's final four in the past six seasons.

Oran, which entered Friday's contest batting .365 as a team, pounded out 14 hits against the Mules. Most of them were loud.

Oran pitcher Jayden Pobst fielded a ground ball during Friday's title game.

The Eagles belted three home runs and added two doubles.

"As a whole, this was probably one of our best hitting games of the season," senior Tyler Beardslee said. "It was a pretty good game for us."

Seyer, one of seven senior starters for the Eagles, went 4-for-4 with a home run and a double. He drove in three runs.

Beardslee homered, doubled and had four RBIs.

Campbell, senior Steven Dooley and junior Jayden Pobst all added two hits. Senior Alex Daniel, the Eagles' No. 9 hitter, homered.

"We really hit the ball well today," Wood said. "Their pitcher [Silas Dill] is good, and they're not a bad ballclub. We just played really well in all areas."

The Eagles broke the game open early with seven runs in the bottom of the first inning, capped by Daniel's three-run homer. Beardslee had a two-run double in the frame.

Considering that Oran entered the day with a team ERA of 1.43, about the only suspense left was what would be the final score.

"We were able to put some runs up early and that helped," Campbell said.

Three Oran pitchers combined on a two-hitter.

Pobst, the starter, worked three hitless frames. He struck out three and walked three.

Pobst, now 6-1 with an ERA around 0.50, could have gone the distance, but with Oran in total control, there was no need to extend him.

"That worked out good," Wood said, with an eye on Monday's sectional and, if the Eagles prevail, Wednesday's quarterfinal. "It's valuable to save as much pitching as you can this time of the year."

Sophomore Cody Dirnberger, 5-1 with an ERA under 1.50, allowed Bernie's lone run on two hits in the fourth inning.

Dooley, 5-0 with an ERA under 2.00, worked a perfect fifth inning to close things out. He struck out two.

"Everybody threw well," Campbell said.

After their seven-run first inning, the Eagles added three in the second — two on Beardslee's homer — two in the third on Seyer's long ball and one in the fourth.

Now the Eagles will prepare for what appears to be a strong Cooter squad. Oran beat Cooter 3-0 in last year's sectional matchup.

"I think they'll be a very good team," Wood said.

The Eagles also appear to be plenty good as they shoot for another final four appearance — the program has eight overall — after losing in last year's quarterfinals.

"That left a bitter taste in our mouths," Campbell said.

Which is probably one of the reasons the Eagles didn't celebrate much after their latest district title.

Bernie 000 10 — 1 2 5

Oran 732 1x — 13 14 0

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:WP — Jayden Pobst, 6-1. LP — Silas Dill. HR — Caleb Seyer (O), Tyler Beardslee (O), Alex Daniel (O). 2B — Quinton Stevens (B), Seyer (O), Beardslee (O). Multiple hits — Oran: Seyer 4-4, Beardslee 2-2, Pobst 2-4, Kody Campbell 2-3, Steven Dooley 2-4. Records — Oran 21-4, Bernie 15-8.