Baseball

Noah Johnson doesn’t need the spotlight—but he’s earned his place in it. After a junior season that saw him lead East Prairie to its second district title in three years, Johnson has become more than just a standout player, he’s a symbol of the program’s sustained success...

When the stakes were highest for Kenyon College, it was a freshman from East Prairie — Peyton Hodges — who took the hill. Trusted to pitch in an elimination game in the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament, the former East Prairie standout delivered a composed, competitive performance that capped a first year filled with growth, resilience, and a seamless transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation...

The task of beating Puxico in varsity boy’s basketball is a daunting one, and it becomes that much more difficult for Indian opponents if they aren’t at full strength.

Tatum Kitchen will replace John Martin as the Jackson School District athletic director, beginning Tuesday, July 1. The Jackson School District Board of Education announced the approval of his hiring Tuesday, Dec. 17. “Coach Kitchen has a deeply rooted passion for athletics and helping others develop as coaches and athletes while furthering school pride," Jackson superintendent Scott Smith said in a statement. ...

After taking a step back during the spring season earlier this year, the Advance High School baseball program wanted to show signs of hope during its 14-game fall schedule, and it did according to Hornet coach Neil Johnson. “This was their chance to really focus and see what they were made of,” Johnson said recently.

The baseball evolution of former Cooter High School standout Hayden Nazerenus took another step upward recently when he signed to play for NCAA Division I Western Kentucky University in the fall of 2025.

Steven Edwards is known to many in Southeast Missouri for his successes on the baseball diamond — first as a player at Poplar Bluff High School in the mid-1990s and later as a successful coach, first at his alma mater and now at Dexter. However, there is another sport Edwards is passionate about — golf. When he is not coaching and teaching at Dexter, Edwards has begun playing on the Veterans Golf Association Tour...

Kennett High School's Hayden Gilmore commits to Three Rivers College baseball, joining a legacy of alumni.

After a wicked twist of fate threatened to end his season, James Naile emerged from the shadows of uncertainty to lead the Kia Tigers to an unforgettable victory in the 2024 KBO Korean Series. The Charleston native faced a career-defining moment when a line drive struck him in the face during a game against the NC Dinos on Aug. ...

By MIKE BUHLER Sports Writer Solid pitching and a fifth-inning rally proved to be a winning recipe for the Twin Rivers baseball Royals in Thursday’s Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament championship game. The Royals scored four times in the bottom of the fifth inning and got strong pitching from Luke Hester and Bryce Dollins to hold off the Greenville Bears 5-3 at Roger Pattillo Field on the campus of Three Rivers College...

The Greenville Bears and Twin Rivers Royals baseball teams both used big offensive performances Tuesday to punch their tickets to the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament championship game. The Royals used a nine-run fourth inning to erase an early deficit and take an 11-3 win over Puxico. Meanwhile, the Bears used a hot start at the plate to outslug the Doniphan Dons 17-9 in the second semifinal Tuesday at Roger Pattillo Field on the campus of Three Rivers College...

BELL CITY, Mo. — Oran’s fall season ended with a bang — five, to be precise — as each senior sent the ball over the fence, leading to a resounding 16-0 win at Bell City on Tuesday, Oct. 2. Adding to their storied legacy, the Eagles (11-0) finished the fall campaign with a flawless record for the second consecutive year, and have won 27 straight games across the past three fall seasons...

Veteran Bernie High School baseball coach Marcus Massey certainly wasn’t thrilled when his top two pitchers, senior Taylor Stanfield, and junior Leightin Hicks, both suffered injuries recently.

Holcomb Hornets clinch Tri-County title, defeating Risco Tigers 5-1.

NEELYVILLE — It was a record-setting day for Neelyville’s Reese Dobbins on Monday as her Lady Tigers defeated Chaffee 3-2. Dobbins connected on an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning to get the 69th double of her high school career, eclipsing the old record of 68 set by Sullivan’s Kayla Urich in 2019...

Holcomb Hornets rally late to secure a 7-2 victory over Gideon, advancing to the Tri-County Championship.

With strong performances from Pacey Lowry and Brayden Knapp, Gideon advances to face top-seeded Holcomb.

One of the reasons for playing 20-some baseball games each fall for some of the smaller high schools throughout Missouri is to learn more about each team, and specifically, about each player’s ability and potential for the upcoming spring. Veteran Bernie High School baseball coach Marcus Massey has achieved both through this fall, which has had its positive moments, as well as some challenging ones.

There has been no shortage of highlights – on both sides of the ball – this fall for the Dexter High School football program.

Some Missouri high school baseball programs have the unique advantage of playing 20-some games each fall, which allows programs like Bell City to get a step ahead in assessing different players and situations that may result in success in the spring.