ROAD TRIUMPH PUTS ORAN IN 1A FINAL FOUR

EMINENCE -- Oran High's baseball team rode the pitching of Justin McAllister and some timely hitting to a berth in the Class 1A Final Four.

The Eagles knocked off host Eminence 4-2 Saturday afternoon in a 1A quarterfinal contest.

Oran, now 22-3, will take on New Bloomfield at 11 a.m. Wednesday in a 1A semifinal game at the University of Missouri's Simmons Field in Columbia. New Bloomfield beat Bevier 10-0 Saturday.

Eminence wound up with a 22-4 record.

"We've been playing our best baseball of the season in the last several games and we had another really good game," said Oran coach Mitch Wood. "It's an exciting time for our team."

McAllister, who had also started Thursday's sectional game against Holcomb but ran into wildness and was replaced in the second inning, had much better control this time.

The senior righthander improved to 8-0 as he pitched all seven innings, allowing six hits while striking out five and walking two.

Mark Frazier, who has signed with Three Rivers Community College of Poplar Bluff, took the loss. Frazier allowed five hits and two earned runs while fanning seven and walking three.

Jeremy Pobst was the only Oran player with two hits.

The Eagles, the home team on the scoreboard, jumped on top in the first inning as Justin Wierman scored on an error.

Eminence got single runs in the fourth and fifth to grab a 2-1 lead, but the Eagles went ahead for good with a three-run sixth.

Billy Loper reached on an error and Pobst bunted for a hit. After a double steal, Chris Nichols was intentionally walked to load the bases. Jeff Schaefer came through with a two-run single up the middle and Travis Friga got an RBI single.

Oran will be making its first state semifinal appearance since 1982.

Chaminade 4, Sikeston 2

SIKESTON -- Sikeston saw it's quest for a Class 4A Final Four berth end Saturday when the Bulldogs lost at home in a quarterfinal contest.

Chaminade from St. Louis improved to 20-5-1 and will play in the 4A semifinals Friday in Columbia. Sikeston ended its season at 18-4.

Senath 8, Mansfield 4

SENATH -- Senath-Hornersville won a state quarterfinal game at home Saturday to advance to this week's Class 2A Final Four in Columbia.

The Lions, now 21-7, will play a semifinal contest at 5 p.m. Wednesday.