Baseball

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.

NAYLOR — The sweat was dripping as his chest pumped. Not from fear, but of the proverbial “zone” he was in as the tension mounted. Two outs in the fifth and up 10-0, Naylor senior hurler Kyle Tubb did what he does best: shut down the opposing offense en route to a perfect game against Clearwater on Sept. 10...

At last month’s Babe Ruth Baseball World Series, when the teenage athletes weren’t competing on the Capaha Field diamond, it was a safe bet that they were flocking en masse up the hill at a display of vibrantly adorned wooden bats. “This is a metal bat tournament,” David Keathley said, “and we sell wooden bats. We’ve done very well today.”

The lore of athleticism flowing through the halls of Caruthersville High School over time has been a storied one.

NEELYVILLE — The Neelyville Tigers couldn't keep up with the Greenville Bears on Tuesday at Neelyville High School Baseball Field. In an attempt to win their second straight game, the Tigers had a hard time containing Greenville and fell 13-3. Greenville got cooking early with a base hit from Ian Meyer, which resulted in three runs of an error from the Tigers. ...

The current perception of Cooter High School baseball is that the program is down a notch, particularly after falling to Senath-Hornersville 15-4 and Bernie 11-0 in its two latest outings. However, given that the Wildcats’ roster is more than half made up of freshmen and sophomores, and those young kids have shown glimpses of ability, Cooter opponents may want to enjoy this respite, because it may end up being brief.

VAN BUREN — The Twin Rivers Royals had a good showing at the Bank of Grandin Baseball Classic. The Royals finished 1-1 on Saturday after facing some stiff competition. In the first matchup against the Alton Varsity Comets, the Royals won 16-0. Luke Hester made a lot of noise on the plate for the Royals. Hester collected three hits, which resulted in a triple in the second inning, a single in the first inning and a single in the third inning...

COOTER – The Bell City High School baseball program is coming off its most successful spring since winning the third of three consecutive MSHSAA Class 1 state championships in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Coach Dubar's team, fueled by summer growth and leadership, eyes a strong season comeback with a nearly intact roster and fresh talent.

A shockwave rippled through the Kia Tigers’ clubhouse and their loyal fanbase back home in Charleston, Missouri, as news broke of ace pitcher James Naile’s season-ending injury. The right-hander, a hometown hero who’s been a cornerstone of the Tigers’ dominance this season, was struck in the face by a line drive during Saturday’s game against the NC Dinos. Naile left the field under his own power and underwent successful surgery on Sunday...

The expectations for the South Pemiscot High School baseball squad last spring weren’t much, as the Bulldogs entered the postseason with just four wins. However, what South Pemiscot had going for it was some talented youngsters, three very good seniors, and a coach (Jason House) with as much experience (15 years leading the program) as anyone could hope for.

If positive momentum helps him at all, as he embarks on the next chapter of his athletic journey, then former Oran High School standout pitcher Kolten Payne should be alright this fall, as he throws for Mineral Area Community College. “Kolten is a bulldog and we’re going to ride him,” veteran Southeast Tropics manager Dustin Schwartz said recently of his top arm.

The Southeast Tropics bid farewell after an eight-year run, ending their storied rivalry with the Charleston Fighting Squirrels. Discover how this fierce yet friendly competition shaped local Babe Ruth Baseball.

Talan McDaniel's stellar relief pitching led the Aycorp Fighting Squirrels to a thrilling 12-11 victory over Altoona, securing a semifinal spot in the 2024 Babe Ruth World Series.

The Aycorp Fighting Squirrels clinched the top seed in the Babe Ruth World Series playoffs with a commanding 12-2 win over the Netherlands, showcasing strong offense and strategic pitching.

Memo to the remaining teams competing in the Babe Ruth World Series on Thursday: You might want to think twice about pitching to Southeast Tropics cleanup hitter Trey Benthal.

Every coach, regardless of the sport, wants his/her team to be playing its best when the season is on the line.

Wyatt Friley's grand slam ignited a nine-run first inning, propelling the Aycorp Fighting Squirrels to a 13-3 mercy-rule victory over Altoona. The Squirrels remain undefeated in the Babe Ruth World Series.

One thing that cannot be debated about the Southeast Tropics is that this group of players can be stunningly oblivious to any adversity that confronts the squad.

The Aycorp Fighting Squirrels pulled off a dramatic late-game comeback to defeat Manassas 3-1, thanks to a stellar performance from pitcher Peyton Hodges and some clutch hitting from Owen Osborne.

The late summer surge by the Southeast Tropics continued Saturday, as they topped Aruba 6-2 in the second game of the Babe Ruth World Series at Capaha Field.

The Aussie Drop Bears' journey to the 2024 Babe Ruth World Series in Cape Girardeau is a testament to their love for baseball. Despite the odds and a grueling selection process, these 12 players are making Australia proud.

Brady Swims' early three-run homer and Levi McKinnie's dominant pitching led the Aycorp Fighting Squirrels to a 6-0 shutout win over Australia in their World Series opener, setting the stage for a promising tournament run.

The Southeast Tropics wanted to send a message on Friday to the other 15 teams participating in the 2024 Babe Ruth World Series at Capaha Field after winning the tournament a year ago.

ST. LOUIS — Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kameron Misner said something before Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium that proved to be prophetic. “We’ve fallen short the last couple of games, but it’s baseball,” said Misner, who grew up in Poplar Bluff while playing football and baseball at Poplar Bluff High School. “I’m glad to be here and whenever they call my name, I’m going to be excited to get in there and try and help them out.”...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Humility is a hallmark of Mason Adams’ character, even in the face of extraordinary achievement. The Portageville standout, recently named the 2024 Semoball Awards Baseball Player of the Year, is quick to credit others for his success...

Veteran Southeast Tropics manager Dustin Schwartz acknowledges that the road to a championship repeat for his team in the 2024 Babe Ruth World Series won’t be an easy journey.

In some regards, veteran Southeast Tropics manager Dustin Schwartz is living the existence of a minor league manager, whose team advances to the postseason. As is often the case at that level, the manager loses players to September call-ups, right as he could utilize them for his playoff success.

For the second consecutive year, Cape Girardeau plays host to the 18-and-under Babe Ruth World Series at Capaha Field, and it brights plenty of foreign and domestic flavor with it. For starters, like last year, the Aycorp Fighting Squirrels of nearby Charleston, Missouri, will host the event and get an automatic qualifying bid, while the Southeast Tropics got a bid with the top finish in Missouri for a shot at defending their national championship...

Breaking records for the Poplar Bluff Mules baseball in his final was never the goal for graduate Kobly Greenwall, but his brilliance at the plate has earned him the opportunity to play collegiate baseball. Greenwall signed his National Letter of Intent on Monday at Poplar Bluff High School to play baseball at Jefferson College to become a member of the Vikings for the upcoming season...

Against all odds, John-Paul Sauer made it happen. Recovering from a torn ACL, signing with Tulane University and finishing his senior season with Jackson baseball undefeated, the kid never let adversity get in the way of pure dominance. The Indians pitcher was an obvious choice for the 2024 Semoball Comeback Athlete of the Year sponsored by the St. Louis Cardinals...

The Missouri high school baseball landscape is set for a significant shake-up in 2025, as the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has announced a major format change for its Class 5 and 6 state playoffs. Beginning next season, the quarterfinal round will transition from a single-elimination game to a best-of-three series...

DELTA – Being physically active might be a problem in the world of some teenagers throughout America, but that doesn’t include Risco High School senior athlete Sammy Smith.

The summer baseball season reached a frustrating point for the Southeast Tropics recently when they dropped a pair of games (3-2 and 7-4) to their rivals, the Aycorp Media Charleston Fighting Squirrels, in the Senior Babe Ruth Baseball State Tournament.

SIKESTON — Fresh off leading Oran to a state championship and earning MBCA Class 1 Player of the Year honors, Rylan Mills, a standout rising senior, has committed to continuing his academic and baseball career at Southeast Missouri State University...

CHARLESTON, Mo. – The Charleston Fighting Squirrels are back on top in the Show-Me State, claiming their second straight Babe Ruth State Championship with a 7-4 victory over the reigning World Series Champions, the Southeast Tropics. The Squirrels’ win at Hillhouse Park on Tuesday sets the stage for a potential rematch with the Tropics at the 2024 World Series in Cape Girardeau, where Charleston hopes to avenge last year’s underwhelming performance...

The Jackson High School baseball program continues the tradition of having a future Division I player leading the team. Rising senior Cooper Rhodes announced on social media on Thursday, July 18, his commitment to the University of Evansville. The Purple Aces went 39-26 and won the Missouri Valley Conference championship, and the Greenville Regional before falling to Tennessee, the eventual national champions, in a three-game Super Regional...

ELLSINORE — The East Carter Redbirds finished the baseball season with a 13-9 record and their fourth consecutive Black River League championship. After falling in the second round of the Class 2 District 2 tournament, head coach Ethan Boyer reflected on the past season and looked ahead to next year...