STATE STAKES: ORAN LOOKS TO ADVANCE IN 1A PLAY

Last year, Oran took second in state.

This year, they're seeded second in their district.

But according to Chuck Powers, the coach of top-seeded Advance, Oran is still the team to beat.

"We have the No. 1 seed because we beat them the other day," Powers said. "But I think the odds have to go with Oran. They're the defending state runners-up. They're still the top dog in our district."

With the No. 1 seed, Advance gets home-field advantage.

No. 8 seed Richland and No. 9 seed Scott County Central kick off the tournament at 10 a.m. today when they play for the right to play Advance.

The first round begins 10 a.m. Monday with Oran and No. 7 Delta. No. 4 St. Vincent and No. 5 Bell City battle at noon. No. 3 Oak Ridge and No. 6 Valle of Ste. Genevieve play at 2 and Advance will play Richland or Scott Central at 4.

Advance (13-7) claimed the top seed by knocking off Oran 5-0 last week in a game where Hornet ace Garrett Broshuis struck out 12. Advance, though, lost to Oak Ridge (8-5) earlier this season.

"I think we deserved the No. 1 seed," Powers said. "I thought if we each went in with one loss apiece (to district opponents) and their loss was to us that we should get it."

Advance is powered by slugger Mike Wallace -- the area's leading home run hitter -- and Broshuis, likely southeast Missouri's strikeout leader.

Oran, meanwhile, has been a more steady team this year as evident by their overall record of 16-5. The Eagles are led by two of the most consistent and dominating pitchers in the area, Dustin Glastetter (9-2, 1.80 ERA) and Dustin Dannenmueller (6-2, 2.90 ERA).

"I think they're two of the best around," Oran coach Mitch Wood said. "In a situation where we would have to play back-to-back games, it's no problem for us.

"I feel like Advance beat us so they deserved the No. 1 seed. We both play good schedules. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Offensively, Oran is led by Dannenmueller, the Scott-Mississippi Conference Player of the Year. Dannemueller is batting around .450 with 39 runs batted in. Ryan Dennis, the leadoff hitter, is hitting .430, while Billy Loper is also in the low .400 range.

Oak Ridge got the third seed, largely due to its win over Advance earlier this season.

Lurking in the fourth spot is St. Vincent. The Indians enter districts with a humble 9-10 record but have played a grueling schedule this season.

"St. Vincent really scares me," Powers said. "They're a new team in the district and we're not familiar with them. Obviously, we'd like to save Broshuis for the finals, but he doesn't do us any good if he's watching the finals."

CLASS 1A, District 3

Leopold enters district play as the No. 3 seed in the district tournament at South Iron.

Leopold will take on the host and sixth seed in the first round at 4 p.m Monday.

Meadow Heights, the eighth seed, will start things off at 10 a.m. Monday when it faces No. 1 Van Buren.

Kingston is the second seed and will take on No. 7 Bunker at 2 p.m.; and No. 4 Lesterville will play No. 5 Viburnum at noon.

Semifinal games will be played at 2 and 4 on Tuesday and the championship game is slated for 4 on Thursday.