Sportswriters/Sportscasters All-State Baseball Team

Several area players have been selected to the 2007 Missouri High School All-State Baseball Team, as chosen by the Missouri Sportswriters/Sportscasters Association (MSSA), it was announced Tuesday.

Four Rivers Conference players selected were senior catcher Monty Cooper, senior outfielder Adam Strauser and sophomore pitcher Zach Mesey of Sullivan and senior infielder Adam Arnette of Pacific. Cooper and Strauser were selected to the first team; Mesey and Arnette to the second team.

The sportswriters/sportscasters Class 1 all-state team includes three players from the Frisco League’s Stoutland, the Class 1 State Tournament runner-up the past two seasons. Stoutland players honored were junior pitcher Cory Kyle and junior outfielder Tyler Wrinkle on the first team and junior outfielder Josh White on the second team.

Also named to the Class 1 second team as a DH/utility player was senior John Bauer of Vienna High School of the Gasconade Valley Conference.

Named to the Class 2 All-State squad were senior infielder Gus Durst and junior DH/utility player Kirk Pierce, both of Houston, on the first team and senior pitcher Nick Openshaw of Plato on the second team.

Houston, of the South-Central Association (SCA), was the Class 2 State Tournament runner-up. Plato is of the Frisco League.

Ava, of the SCA, had senior pitcher Chase Delp chosen to the Class 3 second team.

Several Ozark Conference players were chosen to the Class 4 squad. They include senior pitcher J.C. Casey of Springfield Kickapoo and junior infielder Landan Widhalm of Lebanon on the first team and junior pitcher Chris Barratt of Springfield Hillcrest, junior infielder Beau Harris of Lebanon and senior DH/utility player Dan Julian of Springfield Glendale on the second team.

Harris is the son of Terry "Snoop" Harris, a former all-state athlete from Rolla High School.

Here is the 2007 MSSA All-State Baseball Team:

Tyler Abma, Soph., Miller; Nathan Grass, Sr., Valle Catholic; Cory Kyle, Jr., Stoutland; Scott Sory, Jr., New Haven

Kenzie Thorpe, Jr., Santa Fe; Caleb Sayer, Jr., Oran

Ethan Baker, Jr., Canton; Curtiss Bunch, Soph., LaPlata; Jake Campbell, Sr., Jamestown; Daniel McMahon, Jr., Knox County; Trenton Moses, Sr., Advance

Josh Hutton, Sr., Cooter; Scott Jokerst, Sr., Valle Catholic; Kody Martin, Sr., Valley Caledonia; Tyler Wrinkle, Jr., Stoutland

Kyle Collier, Jr., Liberal; Kaleb Cooper, Sr., Walnut Grove; Josey Garnett, Sr., Atlanta

Blaine Abbott, Jr., New Haven; Steven Dooley, Jr., Oran; Logan Kirchhoff, Soph., Santa Fe; Austin Mullins, Sr., Sacred Heart

Justin Miller, Sr., Atlanta; Tyler Otto, Sr., North Shelby

Tyler Anderson, Sr. Archie; Tyler Beardslee, Jr., Oran; Zach Gebhardt, So. Archie; Nathan Geile, Fr., Valle Catholic; Blake Wilson, Jr., Cairo

Ronnie Martin, Sr., Silex; Colby Schilly, Sr., Valle Catholic; Ryan Tucker, Sr., New Franklin; Josh White, Jr., Stoutland

John Bauer, Sr., Vienna; William Ransdell, Soph., Paris; Jonathan Tucker, Jr., Higbee

Tyler Goodin, Sr., Strafford; Travis Henke, Sr., Blair Oaks; Joe McLaughlin, Soph., Lexington; Zach Pugh, Jr., Orchard Farm

Justin Eiken, Soph., Blair Oaks; Joe Lincoln, Sr., Tipton

Gus Durst, Sr., Houston; Eric Harmon, Sr., Harrisburg; Jeremy Patton, Sr., South Pemiscot; Zach Secoy, Sr., East Prairie; Cody Watson, Soph., West County

Jake Buckwalter, Sr., Palmyra; Paul Johnson, Jr., Charleston; Tyler Plassmeyer, Sr., Fatima; James Whitehead, Sr., West County

Tim Carr, Sr., McAuley Catholic; Adam Maddox, St. Paul Lutheran; Kirk Pierce, Jr., Houston

Buck Haynes, Soph., Hollister; Jonas McBride, Sr., Mark Twain; Jake McClanahan, Sr., Mid-Buchanan; Nick Openshaw, Sr., Plato

Bo Hoelscher, Sr., Russellville; Trent Oxenreider, Sr., Strafford

Kyle Henke, Jr., Blair Oaks; Philip Kafka, Jr., Bishop LeBlond; Cody Kempker, Sr., Eugene; Wes Mueller, Jr., Stover; Mason Roller, Soph., Purdy

Jonathan Carr, Sr., Sarcoxie; Jayse Clinton, Sr., Mid-Buchanan; Jeff Preis, Sr., Hollister; Mitchell Roling, Sr., Salisbury

Ethan Barnett, Sr., East Buchanan; Tyler Bower, Jr., Valley Park; Ryan Modglin, Jr., Scott City

Tyler Clark, Sr., Springfield Catholic; Nick Johnson, Sr., Duchesne; Aaron Kleekamp, Sr., Borgia; Kyle Mason, Sr., St. Joseph Benton; Zak Porath, Jr., Carl Junction

Monty Cooper, Sr., Sullivan; Ben Turner, Jr., Westminster Christian

Ronnie Calvird, Sr., Park Hills Central; Johnny Coy, Jr., St. Joseph Benton; Eli Dykens, Sr., Webb City; Zach Johnson, Sr., Willard

Mike Gumm, Sr., St. Charles; Don Lambert, Sr., Westminster Christian; Ben Pieper, Sr., St. Dominic; Adam Strauser, Sr., Sullivan

Brad Buehler, Sr., St. Pius X (Festus); Jake Kretzer, Soph., St. Joseph Benton; Jacob Turner, Soph., Westminster Christian

Chase Delp, Sr., Ava; Joseph Kassanavoid, Jr., Lawson; Cody King, Soph., Kirksville; Zach Mesey, Soph., Sullivan; Brett Shelton, Sr., Boonville

Tim Brown, Sr., St. Joseph Benton; Adam Coleman, Sr., Bowling Green

Adam Arnette, Sr., Pacific; Tyler Belt, Sr., Macon; Andrew Jurgesmeyer, Jr., Mexico; Tyler Ryun, Sr., Platte County

Ben Baker, Sr., St. Pius X (Kansas City); Brendon Cox, Jr., Monett; Tyler Hartley, Jr., Willard; Derrick Phillips, Jr., Westminster Christian

Drew Benes, Sr., Westminster Christian; Matt Curtis, Sr., Southern Boone; Neil Hugenberg, Soph., Hannibal

J.C. Casey, Sr., Kickapoo; Tim Melville, Jr., Holt; Nick Tepesch, Sr., Blue Springs; Matt Tracy, Sr., CBC

Eric Cole, Sr., Lee’s Summit North; Dan Rohlfing, Sr., Oakville

Mike Bunton, Sr., Parkway North; Jordan Coons, Jr., Jefferson City; Andrew Melanson, Sr., Blue Springs; Colin Murphy, Sr., North Kansas City; Landan Widhalm, Jr., Lebanon

Preston Aldridge, Jr., Francis Howell; Kevin Mahler, Sr., Mehlville; Blake Slattery, Sr., Cape Girardeau Central; Nate Young, Jr., Lee’s Summit North

Kelly Fick, Sr., Helias; Tom Lattimore, Sr., McCluer North; T.J. Schieber, Sr., Blue Springs

Chris Barratt, Jr., Hillcrest; Ethan Jaeger, Jr., Eureka; Brad LaBruyere, Sr., Cape Girardeau Central; Kyle Werdehausen, Sr., Jefferson City

Ryan Ampleman, Sr., DeSmet; Landin Eckhardt, Jr., St. Joseph Central

Adam Gliebe, Sr., CBC; Kyle Grieshaber, Soph., Marquette; Beau Harris, Jr., Lebanon; Rex Meyr, Sr., Jackson; Jason McBride, Sr., Lee’s Summit North

V.J. Reynolds, Sr., Howell Central; Adam Rush, Sr., Jefferson City; David Sprick, Jr., Webster Groves; Dave Stewart, Sr., Vianney

Dan Corwin, Sr., DeSmet; Chad Gillam, Sr., Holt; Dan Julian, Sr., Glendale

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Lebanon wins District 11 baseball title

ROLLA – The fourth-seeded Lebanon High School baseball team captured the Missouri Class 4 District 11 Tournament championship by knocking off third-seeded Springfield Hillcrest 10-6 in the title game on Thursday, May 17 on the First Community National Bank Field at Bray Sports Complex.

Lebanon, now 23-4, had to come from behind, as the Hillcrest Hornets took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

The Lebanon Yellow Jackets, ranked No. 5 in the Missouri Class 4 state poll, will host Springfield Kickapoo in Class 4 Sectional play Thursday, May 24 at the Lebanon High School Field.

Kickapoo advanced by beating Joplin 3-0 Thursday in the Class 12 District Tournament championship game.

The Lebanon-Kickapoo winner will advance to Missouri Class 4 Quarterfinal play May 26 against either the District 9 or District 10 champion.

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Lebanon, Hillcrest meet for baseball district title

ROLLA – Upsets were certainly in the air at the Bray Sports Complex on Wednesday, May 16.

With both semifinal games of the Class 2 District 11 girls’ soccer tourney ending in upset victories, the same then occurred across the way at the First Community National Bank Baseball Field.

Top-seeded Springfield Glendale and second-seeded Ozark were both upset victims in the Missouri Class 4 District 11 Baseball Tournament semifinal games on Wednesday.

Fourth-seeded Lebanon shut out Glendale 6-0 in the first game while third-seeded Springfield Hillcrest clipped Ozark 5-4 in the second game.

Lebanon, 21-4 and ranked No. 5 in the latest Missouri Class 4 state poll, will take on 

Hillcrest, 17-8, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17 in the district title game.

The District 11 champion will meet the District 12 winner in Class 4 Sectional action May 24 at the home field of the District 11 winner.

The survivor of that sectional game moves on to meet the District 9 vs. District 10 winner in Class 4 Quarterfinals on May 26.

Glendale ends the season with a 14-8 record while Ozark finishes at 17-4.

Landon Widhalm pitched a no-hitter to power Lebanon on Wednesday. Widhalm struck out six batters.

Offensively the Yellow Jackets tallied all six of their runs in the top of the third inning. Bo Harris and Kyle Tennison each had two hits, including doubles.

Harris is the son of former Rolla High School football/baseball standout Snoop Harris.

Ozark jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but the Hillcrest Hornets came from behind by scoring a run in the top of the fourth inning and four in the sixth.

Chris Barratt was the winning pitcher for Hillcrest, fanning 10 while allowing five hits and walking six in a complete-game performance. Ozark’s Ethan Mather allowed just three hits while walking four and striking out eight.

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‘Dogs shut out in district baseball opener

ROLLA – The fifth-seeded Rolla High School baseball team saw its season come to a close on Monday, May 14 with a 4-0 shutout loss to fourth-seeded Lebanon in the first round of the Missouri Class 4 District 11 Tournament at the First Community National Bank Field.

Rolla ends the season with a 14-9 record.

Lebanon, 21-4, will play top-seeded Springfield Glendale at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 in semifinal action.

In Monday’s other first-round game third-seeded Springfield Hillcrest rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to clip sixth-seeded Waynesville 5-4. Hillcrest, 16-8, meets second-seeded Ozark at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the semifinals.

The district title game is slated for Thursday, May 17 at the FCNB Field.

The Bulldogs were limited to just five hits by Lebanon pitcher Alex Goans.

Lebanon tallied single runs in the top of the first, second, fourth and fifth innings. Landon Widhalm was the hitting star for the Yellow Jackets with a homer and double. Chris Davy also tripled for Lebanon.

Sophomore lefty Dalton Friend was the hard-luck losing pitcher for Rolla, allowing just six hits.

Rolla put two runners on base in the seventh inning but couldn’t get them around.

"It’s a tough district," said RHS head coach Jason Swearingen. "There was only one team with a losing record, and the combined record of the district field was 83-44 coming in. There were 78 wins in the top five seeded teams. Adding Ozark made it even more difficult."

The upstart Waynesville Tigers were trying to pull the upset of the tournament, and had a 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the third inning. However, the Hillcrest Hornets eventually cut their deficit to 4-3 entering the bottom of the seventh.

And in the seventh Hillcrest got two runners on base with a single and an error and Dan Grosdidier then belted a two-run double to give the Hornets the victory.

Waynesville, 5-16, got another strong pitching performance from junior right-hander Dustin Loggins, who scattering seven hits.

Jon Bundrick was the winning pitcher in relief, throwing five innings.

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RHS baseball clips Salem

ROLLA – After going about a week without a game due to the rainy weather, the Rolla High School baseball team was limited to just one hit on its Senior Night non-conference game against Salem on Monday, May 7 at the First Community National Bank at the Bray Sports Complex.

That didn’t keep the Bulldogs from winning, however.

Rolla got all three of its runs without the benefit of a hit on Monday, beating Salem 3-1.

Rolla, now 13-7, got a solo run in the bottom of the third when Dalton Friend walked, stole second base and scored on a while pitch.

In the fourth inning RHS scored two addition runs, as John Manion walked, advanced on a wild pitch and went to third on Tanner Sturgeon’s fly ball. Manion then scored on Ty Whitelock’s suicide squeeze bunt. Whitelock reached base on the bunt, as the play went home, and stole second base. After Brady Dean was issued a walk, Thomas Herbst plated Whitelock with a run-scoring fielder’s choice.

Salem’s lone run came in the fifth inning.

Senior right-hander Michael Martin was the starting and winning pitcher, working into the sixth inning and allowing six hits and four walks while fanning eight. Ross Parker and Daniel Perdue came on in relief, with Perdue getting the save.

Salem sophomore pitcher Grant Gordon was the hard-luck losing pitcher, allowing one hit and five walks while striking out eight over five innings.

Manion got the Bulldogs’ lone hit – a double.

Rolla also won the junior varsity game 10-2. Josh Stephens was the wining pitcher for the Rolla jayvee squad.

Rolla hosted the Rolla Jayvee Tournament on Saturday, May 5 and came out the winner.

In its first game Rolla clipped Waynesville 6-5, as Andy Giger’s RBI double drove in the winning run. Trevor Dinsdale was the winning pitcher in relief of starter Brett Marsten. Zach Mittendorf was 2-for-2 at the plate.

The jayvee Bulldogs then beat St. James 11-3 to win the title. Mason Ridenhour was the winning pitcher, shutting St. James out for five innings and allowing three hits. Marsten was 2-for-3 with two RBI.

For the third time Rolla will try to get in a Ozark Conference game at Joplin on Wednesday, May 9. The game has been rained out twice.

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Bulldog baseball in Fulton Tourney finals

FULTON – The Rolla High School baseball team advanced tot he championship game of the Fulton Tournament by winning a pair of games in the event on Monday, April 30.

Rolla knocked off Southern Boone 7-6 and then whipped Mexico 18-7.

Rolla, now 12-7, is scheduled to play in the championship game on Friday, May 4.

The Bulldogs had been scheduled to play a Ozark Conference game Wednesday, May 2, at Joplin but that game was postponed due to the weather.

Southern Boone took a 6-3 lead after three innings. However, RHS tallied two runs in the top of the fourth and single runs in the fifth and sixth frames to come from behind. Sophomore Ross Parker was the winning pitcher in relief of starter Chris Bowe. Daniel Perdue pitched the seventh to pick up the save.

Sophomore Tyler Sinnott clubbed a homer for Rolla while Steve Whitson had three hits and scored twice and Brady Dean had a double, single and RBI.

In the second game at Fulton Rolla exploded for 19 hits to pound Mexico. The Bulldogs scored three runs in the top of the first inning, one in the second, three in the third, nine in the fifth and two in the sixth.

It was 16-1 before Mexico tallied six runs in the bottom of the fifth.

John Manion was 3-for-3 with a homer, two doubles and five RBI while Whitson had a homer, three RBI and three runs scored and Dean had a homer, double, single, two RBI and two runs scored.

Brett Marston was the starting and winning pitcher for RHS.

In a make-up conference game on Saturday Rolla trailed 3-1 before scoring three runs in the third inning. Rolla also scored one run in the first.

Sinnott homered and Perdue was 2-for-2 with a walk for the Bulldogs.

Waynesville scored three runs in the third inning, on a walk, two singles and a two-run double.

Michael Martin was the winning pitcher, working the first six innings. Perdue came on in the seventh to get the save.

Rolla’s new First Community National Bank Field was dedicated, but the Springfield Glendale Falcons threw a curve into the event by posting the win.

Rolla took the early lead, scoring single runs in the first and second innings. Glendale tied it up 2-2 in the top of the third inning and then won the game with a three-run fifth.

The Bulldogs were limited to just three hits in the game, by Perdue, Sinnott and Thomas Herbst.

Dalton Friend went the distance on the mound for Rolla in taking the loss.

No junior varsity game was held.

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Big weekend for RHS baseball

ROLLA – It was a nice weekend for the Rolla High School baseball team, as the Bulldogs got three much-needed varsity victories on Friday and Saturday, April 20-21.

On Friday RHS played a Ozark Conference game at Springfield and drubbed Parkview 10-0.

On Saturday RHS had an unusual varsity double-header with St. James. Rolla won the first game 8-2. The second game was a resumption of a March 30^th contest, which was rained out after just a half-inning of play. Rolla started that game on Saturday with an 8-0 lead and ended up winning 18-1.

The Bulldog varsity squad is now 9-6 overall and 2-4 in the conference.

The Bulldogs started early, getting two runs in the bottom of the second inning, one in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth and two in the fifth.

St. James tallied its two runs in the top of the sixth.

Rolla outhit the Tigers 10-4.

Daniel Perdue, John Manion and Ty Whitelock each had two hits to pace the Bulldog offense. Perdue and Michael Martin each scored two runs.

Martin, a senior right-hander, was the starting and winning pitcher for RHS, working six innings and allowing four hits and two runs while walking four and fanning eight. Perdue finished up in the seventh.

Chris Kearbey went the distance on the mound for St. James. Aaron Carson had tow hits for the Tigers.

In the resumption game Rolla finally finished off the delayed contest by outscoring St. James 10-1 in the final 4 ½ innings Saturday.

Tanner Sturgeon had a triple and double while Perdue belted a three-run triple for RHS.

Brady Dean was the winning pitcher, throwing three innings of relief, allowing three hits, one run and two walks. Ross Parker finished up the final two frames on the mound for Rolla. Manion was the starting pitcher back on March 30 but didn’t pitch on Saturday.

Sophomore left-hander Dalton Friend fired a one-hitter on the mound for the Bulldogs, allowing just one walk and striking out eight in posting the five-inning shutout.

Rolla broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the third inning. The Bulldogs made it 5-0 in the fourth inning and pulled away with a five-run fifth.

The Bulldog offense reeled off 16 hits, with home runs by Dean and Tyler Sinnott highlighting the onslaught.

Perdue had a double and two singles while scoring twice and knocking in two runs for RHS while Sinnott was 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored; Steve Whitson was 2-for-2 with three runs scored; Manion was 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Whitelock and Dean each had two hits.

Rolla also won the junior varsity game 3-2. The Rolla jayvee squad tallied all three of its runs in the third inning. Brett Marston was the winning jayvee pitcher.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to play again on Tuesday, April 24 in Ozark Conference action at Joplin.

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No. 8 Lebanon whips RHS baseball

ROLLA – After a 9-0 start the Lebanon High School baseball team had dropped two of its last three games coming into Ozark Conference play against Rolla on Thursday, April 19 at the Bray Sports Complex’s First Community National Bank Field.

The Jackets took out their frustrations on the Bulldogs.

Lebanon banged out 14 hits and jumped out to an 8-0 lead after three innings in pounding Rolla 14-3.

Rolla falls to 6-5 overall and 1-3 in the conference.

Lebanon, ranked No. 8 in this week’s Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association state poll, improves to 11-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference. Last week the Jackets lost their first game of the season to Springfield Hillcrest and on Tuesday, April 17 they were upset by Waynesville 7-5.

On Thursday the Jackets wasted little time in taking command, knocking out RHS senior ace John Manion in the first inning. Lebanon tallied three runs in the first inning, four in the second and one in the third.

After the Bulldogs trimmed their deficit to 8-3 with a three-run fifth inning, Lebanon erupted for six more in the top of the sixth to pull away.

Manion pitched two-thirds of an inning and allowed three runs on four hits. Chris Bowe relieved and gave up 11 runs on nine hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. Ross Parker finished up on the mound.

Landon Widhalm was the winning pitcher for Lebanon, allowing no hits and four walks while fanning four over three innings. Brian Decker came in to finish up on the mound for Lebanon.

Lebanon outhit Rolla 14-4. Tyler Sinnott, Bowe, Steve Whitson and Dalton Friend had the Rolla hits. Blake Brenton was 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored and Caleb Dudley was 2-for-4 with three RBI for the Jackets.

RHS committed four errors while the Jackets had three.

Lebanon won the junior varsity game 6-5. Brett Marston had two hits for the Rolla jayvee squad.

Rolla is scheduled to play Friday, April 20 at Springfield in another league game against Parkview and on Saturday, April 21 the Bulldogs are to host St. James in a varsity double-header, starting at 1 p.m. The Saturday double-header includes a game which had originally been scheduled for St. James earlier in the spring but was postponed due to weather.

Here is the varsity line score:

Lebanon 341 006 0–14 14

Rolla 000 030 0– 3 4

Rolla: Manion, Bowe (1), Parker (6) and Herbst. Lebanon: Widhalm, Decker (4) and Tennison. WP: Widhalm. LP: Manion.

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RHS baseball splits a pair of league games

ROLLA – The Rolla High School baseball team split a pair of Ozark Conferences games on Monday and Tuesday, April 16-17.

On Tuesday at the Bray Sport Complex’s First Community National Bank Field the Bulldogs were beaten by Camdenton 8-5. And on Monday at West Plains RHS knocked off the West Plains Zizzers 9-1.

Rolla is now 6-4 overall and 1-3 in Ozark Conference play.

A seventh-inning rally fell short for the Bulldogs, as the Camdenton Lakers did their damage with three runs in the top of the second and fourth innings and solo runs in the sixth and seventh.

Rolla got a run in the second inning and trailed 8-1 entering the bottom of the seventh.

The Bulldogs made a late run, plating four runners before falling short.

Each team committed three errors.

Senior right-hander Michael Martin was the starting and losing hurler for Rolla, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.1 innings while fanning four.

Ross Parker took over in the fifth inning and finished up on the mound, allowing two runs on a hit and two walks.

Daniel Perdue went 2-for-3 to lead the Rolla hitting attack and Martin and John Manion each had an RBI.

Camdenton outhit Rolla 9-6.

Camdenton ace Kyle Simpson was the winning pitcher, allowing six hits and four walks while striking out four in going the distance.

The Lakers are now 3-5 overall.

Camdenton also won the junior varsity game 8-2.

The line score:

Camdenton 030 301 1–8 9

Rolla 010 000 4–5 6

Rolla: Martin, Parker (5) and Herbst. Camdenton: Simpson and Sweatt. WP: Simpson. LP: Martin.

At West Plains, the Bulldogs broke open a close game by erupting for six runs in the top of the seventh inning. In the RHS seventh Martin and Perdue singled and Martin scored on Steve Whitson’s squeeze bunt. Manion doubled to drive in two runs. Tanner Sturgeon walked and Thomas Herbst belted an RBI single. Brady Dean then smacked a two-run double to right-center.

The game was tied 1-1 after three innings, as Rolla scored a run in the second inning and West Plains one in the third. Rolla’s first run came when Sturgeon walked and scored on a Martin sacrifice fly.

Rolla added two more runs in the fourth, as Sturgeon doubled and scored on Dean’s double. Dean would later score on a Martin RBI single up the middle.

Sophomore left-hander Dalton Friend was the starting and winning pitcher for Rolla, working five innings and allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out 10. Perdue pitched the final two innings for RHS.

Josh Jones was the starting and losing pitcher for west Plains, which fell to 3-6 overall and 0-3 in the league.

"This was a huge conference win for us," said RHS head coach Jason Swearingen. "Hopefully we can get a good week of games in and get back in the conference race.

"Dalton pitched a great game and he was able to wiggle out of trouble a couple of times and that was a big lift for our club."

Dean had two hits and three RBI for RHS while Manion, Herbst and Martin all had two hits and two RBI.

Scott Crampton and David Cordell each had two hits for the Zizzers.

Rolla also won the junior varsity game 9-6. Perdue and Jeff Brown were both 2-for-4 at the plate and Brett Marston was the starting and wining pitcher for the Rolla jayvee squad.

The line score:

Rolla 010 200 6–9 11

West Plains 001 000 0–1 7

Rolla: Friend, Perdue (6) and Herbst. West Plains: Jones, Douglas (7) and Cordell. WP: Friend. LP: Jones.

The Rolla freshman baseball team split a double-header with West Plains Monday at the Bray Sports Complex, losing the first game 6-5 and winning the nightcap 15-5.

Gavin Otte was 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Dane Goff added two RBI for Rolla in the first game. In the second game Trevor Dinsdale was the winning pitcher and at the plate went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and an RBI while Brant Scott was 2-for-3 with four RBI.

The Rolla varsity and jayvee squads are scheduled to host Lebanon in conference play on Thursday, April 19. The varsity game is to begin at 4:30 p.m. with the jayvee game to follow.

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Big inning lifts RHS baseball

LICKING – Erupting for eight runs in the top of the fifth inning, the Rolla High School baseball team improved its record to 5-3 by beating non-conference foe Licking 12-4 on Monday, April 9.

The Licking Wildcats, now 4-2, took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After Rolla tallied a run in the top of the third, Licking got a run in the bottom of the frame to make it 2-1.

However, the Bulldogs put the game out of reach with an eight-run fifth. The big blow for Rolla in that inning was a two-run double by junior Tanner Sturgeon.

Licking cut its deficit to 9-4 with two runs in the sixth inning. Rolla tacked on three more runs in the seventh to seal the win.

Sophomore Daniel Perdue smacked three hits for the Bulldogs while sophomore Tyler Sinnott, senior Thomas Herbst and sophomore Dalton Friend each had two hits.

Devin Keeney had two hits and two RBI for Licking.

Senior right-hander Michael Martin was the starting and winning pitcher for the Bulldogs before being relieved by junior Josh Stephens in the sixth inning.

Pat Matson was the starting and losing pitcher for Licking.

Rolla won the junior varsity game 5-0.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to host Waynesville Tuesday, April 10 at the First Community National Bank Field in the Bray Sports Complex. Licking was to host Mountain Grove on Tuesday.

The varsity line score:

Rolla 001 080 3–12 11

Licking 101 002 0– 4 5

Rolla: Martin, Stephens (6) and Herbst. Licking: Matson, Keeney (5), Brown (7) and Brown, Hunt (7). WP: Martin. LP: Matson.

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Too many errors as RHS clipped by No. 2 Stoutland

STOUTLAND – The Rolla High School baseball team met one of the top small schools in the state on Friday, April 6 and were clipped by the Stoutland Tigers 5-4.

Rolla falls to 4-3. Stoutland, which finished runner-up in the Missouri Class 1 State Tournament last season, went undefeated during the 2006 fall season and is 4-0 so far this spring. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 2 in the Missouri Class 1 state poll.

Stoutland scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull out the win.

Rolla outhit Stoutland 9-7 but hurt itself by committing six errors.

Rolla took a 3-0 lead off all-state Stoutland junior right-handed pitcher Cory Kyle, scoring two runs in the first inning and one in the second.

In the Bulldog first Tyler Sinnott singled and John Manion reached on an error. Sinnott scored on Tanner Sturgeon’s fielder’s choice and Manion scored on an error during the same play. In the second inning Thomas Herbst hit a solo homer to centerfield for the Bulldogs.

However, Stoutland tied the score with three runs in the bottom of the third and took a 4-3 edge with another run in the fourth.

Rolla again tied the score with a run in the fifth, as Sturgeon reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored on Herbst’s RBI single.

"Defensively we made a lot of mistakes, we really shot ourselves in the foot on defense," said RHS head coach Jason Swearingen. "We had chances all night to score runs and couldn’t capitalize. We could never get the big hit to take the lead and control. We let them hang around too long and finally they got up on us."

Sophomore left-hander Dalton Friend was the starting RHS pitcher, allowing two hits and three runs while walking four and fanning 10 before being relieved by sophomore Chris Bowe. Bowe took the losing, allowing five hits and two runs in three innings of work.

Sinnott finished 3-for-4 at the plate for the Bulldogs while Herbst was 2-for-3 and two RBI.

Rolla won the junior varsity game 2-0, getting solo runs in the top of the second and third innings. B. Marston had a double and run scored and Cameron Willett had an RBI for the Rolla jayvee squad.

Rolla was scheduled to play at Licking on Monday, April 9 in another non-league game.

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RHS baseball rally falls short at Kickapoo

SPRINGFIELD – A late-inning rally fell short for the Rolla High School baseball team on Tuesday, April 3, as the Bulldogs were clipped by Springfield Kickapoo 10-9 in Ozark Conference play.

It was the league opener for Rolla, now 4-2 overall.

Kickapoo held a 9-3 lead after four innings, scoring one run in the bottom of the first, three in the second, one in the third and four in the fourth. RHS got a pair of runs in the top of the first and one in the fourth during that span.

The Bulldogs then began a comeback attempt, getting a run in the fifth inning and three in the sixth to go into the seventh inning down 10-7. A bases-loaded double by senior Ty Whitelock highlighted the big RHS sixth inning.

In the seventh inning Tanner Sturgeon walked followed by singles from Steve Whitson and Dalton Friend to load the bases. Thomas Herbst and Michael Martin then smacked RBI singles to cut the Kickapoo Chief led to one run and still had the bases loaded with no outs.

However, Kickapoo got out of the jam to win the game with an infield popup and a game-ending double-play.

Martin, a senior right-hander, was the starting and losing hurler, allowing nine runs before being lifted in favor of Chris Bowe.

Each team had 13 hits, with Whitson getting three and John Manion and Herbst two each for the Bulldogs.

Kickapoo also won the junior varsity game 5-4.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to return to Springfield Thursday, April 5 to face Hillcrest High School in another conference game.

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RHS baseball starts fast, stops Iberia

ROLLA – Was it a fast start?

A 12-0 lead after two innings is pretty fast!

That’s what the Rolla High School baseball team did to Iberia on Monday, April 2, as the Bulldogs went on to post a 14-8 non-conference victory at the First Community National Bank Field at the Bray Sports Complex.

Rolla, 4-1, took command with a seven-run bottom of the first inning. Brady Dean belted an RBI double and an RBI single in the big RHS first inning while Dalton Friend smacked a two-run single and Thomas Herbst and Michael Martin added had RBI singles. Tyler Sinnott also had a triple in the frame.

Herbst, a senior, highlighted the Bulldog five-run second inning with a three-run home run while Dean yanked a two-run single. Sinnott doubled and Martin singled in the inning.

Rolla tacked on solo runs in the fifth and sixth.

Facing the run rule in the top of the fifth inning, the Iberia Rangers tallied four runs to extend the game. Iberia, now 2-3, also scored single runs in the third and fourth innings and two in the sixth.

Friend, a sophomore left-hander, was the starting and winning pitcher for RHS, working the first three innings and allowing no hits and three walks while fanning five. Ross Parker came on to pitch in the fourth inning and later Josh Stephens in the sixth. Parker allowed five runs on five hits and three walks while Stephens gave up three hits and two runs.

Herbst paced Rolla’s nine-hit attack with a 3-for-4 night and five RBI. Dean was 2-for-3 with three RBI and Sinnott had two hits and two runs scored.

"We did a good job of coming out on the offensive and swung the bats really well early in the game," said RHS head coach Jason Swearingen. "Dalton was throwing the ball really well. We went ahead and lifted him to get some other guys some work, and we also are going to need to use him again later this week.

"We need to keep our focus a little better; we haven’t played much lately and I think we let up a bit on them instead of putting them away. That is probably a result of all the games we lost to weather last week."

Rolla won the junior varsity game 5-4. The Rolla jayvee squad got four runs in the second inning and one in the fifth.

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RHS baseball wins one game; weather gets rest

ST. JAMES – For the Rolla High School baseball team, the weather stopped the game a half-inning too soon.

For the St. James Tigers, it ended just in time.

A non-conference game between Rolla and St. James started at Nelson Hart Park on Friday, March 30. And after the top of the first inning it was all Rolla, as the Bulldogs erupted for 10 runs in the frame.

However, rain and lightning forced the players off the field and the bottom of the inning was not completed, as the umpires ended play.

If the bottom-half of the inning would have been completed Rolla would have kept its 10 runs when the game would have been scheduled to be finished at a later date. As it stands, however, the results were washed away and the game will be replayed in full, with the score starting at 0-0.

The game has been rescheduled as part of a varsity double-header in Rolla on April 21.

Also postponed for RHS, due to field conditions, was the championship round of the Four Rivers Classic Saturday, March 31 in New Haven. Rolla, 3-1, was to play St. Francis Borgia on Saturday in the semifinals and then in either the third-place or championship game later in the day.

The rescheduling of the Four Rivers Classic has yet to be made.

Rolla was scheduled to play again on Monday, April 2 by hosting Iberia at the First Community National Bank Field, starting at 5 p.m.

On Thursday, March 29 Rolla did get a game in and used the long ball to help defeat St. Clair 8-3 in a non-league game at the First Community National Bank Field at the Bray Sports Complex.

The Bulldogs took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning, highlighted by a three-run home run over the rightfield fence by senior Brady Dean. The final run in the inning came when Ty Whitelock walked and scored on Tanner Sturgeon’s RBI single.

The Bulldogs made it 7-0 with three more runs in the fourth. Whitelock doubled and scored on an error off a ball hit by Sturgeon. Sophomore Ross Parker then belted Rolla’s second homer of the game.

St. Clair got all three of its runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Bulldogs countered with one more run in the bottom of the sixth, as Tyler Sinnott singled and scored on Dean’s RBI single.

Senior right-hander Michael Martin was the starting and winning pitcher, allowing four hits and one walk while fanning five over six innings. Daniel Perdue finished up on the mound in the seventh for the winners.

In the junior varsity game sophomore Chris Bowe pitched a five-inning perfect game to pace RHS to a 3-0 win. Bowe struck out nine batters.

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RHS baseball rolls over Owensville, New Haven

OWENSVILLE – The Rolla High School baseball team improved its record to 2-1 by belting Owensville 17-3 on Thursday, March 22 in the Four Rivers Classic.

Earlier Rolla defeated New Haven 14-4 Wednesday, March 21 and lost to Washington 2-1 Monday, March 19 in the Four Rivers Classic. Due to rainy weather the rest of the Classic has been backed up to this coming weekend.

On Thursday Rolla clubbed Owensville pitching for 12 hits, including a homer and six doubles. The game was stopped after five innings due to the run rule.

The tone was set in the top of the first inning when Rolla took a 3-0 lead. In the first Brady Dean walked followed by a home run over the left-centerfield fence by John Manion.

After Owensville tied the game up 3-3 in the bottom of the first Rolla took the lead for good in the second frame, as Michael Martin doubled and scored on an RBI single by Tyler Sinnott. Sinnott later scored on an error.

In Rolla’s third inning Dalton Friend and Daniel Perdue both walked followed by Martin’s two-run double. Sinnott then reached base on an error, stole second base and Ty Whitelock then smacked a two-run single.

Rolla got two runs in the fourth on doubles by Thomas Herbst, Perdue and Martin. In the fifth RHS scored on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Friend followed by RBI singles from Martin and Sinnott and a three-run double by Dean.

Martin went 4-for-4 with three doubles, four RBI and three runs scored while Sinnott had two hits, two RBI and scored three times.

Friend, a sophomore left-hander, was the starting and winning pitcher, allowing just the three first-inning runs while walking four and fanning three over four innings. Perdue pitched the final inning.

Wednesday, March 21

The Bulldogs out-hit New Haven 15-6 in the game to roll at First Community National Bank Field.

New Haven took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning but Rolla countered with three runs in the bottom of the second, eight in the third, two in the fourth and one in the sixth.

The New Haven Shamrocks scored the rest of their runs in the fourth.

The Bulldog offense was highlighted by home runs from Martin and Ross Parker.

Sinnott was 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored while Manion was 2-for-2 with three RBI, Parker 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI and Friend had two hits and scored three times.

Martin was the winning pitcher, allowing one run on three hits, four walks and fanning four.

Rolla is scheduled to play again Thursday, March 29 hosting St. Clair at the First Community National Bank Field at Bray Park. The varsity game is slated for 4:30 p.m. with the jayvee contest to follow.

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‘Dogs drop close one in first game on new field

ROLLA – After the first game ever to be played on the First Community National Bank Field at the Bray Sports Complex, a nickname such as "The Launching Pad" is not yet needed.

The balls weren’t jumping off either teams’ bats in the inaugural game at Rolla High School’s new baseball field on Monday, March 19.

The Washington Blue Jays spoiled the Rolla Bulldogs’ first-ever game on their new field, holding on for a 2-1 victory in Four Rivers Classic action.

Rolla was scheduled to play at Owensville at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20 and then host New Haven on Wednesday, March 21 in other Four Rivers Classic games, both slated to start at 4:30 p.m. Expected rainy weather makes both of those games very iffy, however.

Indeed, the team’s bats were mostly silent due to a pair of strong pitching performances. And Washington’s senior right-hander Andrew Maas was just a little bit better than Rolla senior right-hander John Manion.

Maas went the distance on the mound to earn the victory for Washington, scattering three hits. Meanwhile, Washington had seven hits and got its two runs in the top of the second and fifth frames.

"It was a good high school baseball game," said RHS head coach Jason Swearingen, whose squad was 16-9 last season. "There was good pitching on both sides. They really matched each other. We looked a little timid at the plate. A lot of that was first-game jitters. We have a mixed squad – we’ve got some guys with experience and some who are just getting their feet wet."

Washington, 5-17 last season, got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning, as Maas singled and eventually scored the run.

It stayed a 1-0 game until the fifth, when the Blue Jays loaded the bases on Manion with no outs. Manion escaped from the mess by allowing just one run, ending the inning by ringing up a strikeout.

The Bulldogs trimmed their deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the sixth when senior Ty Whitelock was plucked by a Maas pitch and senior Brady Dean followed with an RBI double.

Rolla certainly had its chances.

In the second inning RHS had runners on first and second base with no outs but couldn’t convert. In the fourth inning Dean walked, stole second base but then was erased when he was thrown out trying to steal third. In the sixth Manion had walked ahead of Whitelock’s at-bat. However, he was picked off first base, leaving just one runner aboard after Whitelock was hit by the pitch and Dean at the plate. And in the seventh inning the Bulldogs’ Tanner Sturgeon singled but was then caught stealing.

Rolla’s three hits came from Sturgeon, Dean and Manion.

Matt Scheible had two hits for the Blue Jays.

Manion worked six innings, allowing seven hits and the two runs to get tagged with the loss. Sophomore Daniel Perdue finished up on the mound in the seventh inning for RHS.

Rolla made the game’s only two errors.

Swearingen said the new field stood up to its first test well. The Bulldog players had been scheduled to play a scrimmage game on the field on Saturday, but it was canceled due rainy weather.

"The field is in good shape," Swearingen said. "The infield played well. Nothing came into play. Having a new fence, you don’t know if there are holes you’re not aware of. But it played pretty true."

The official dedication of the field will take place in April, according to RHS Athletic Director Kelly Hinshaw.

The line score:

Washington 010 010 0–2 7 0

Rolla 000 001 0–1 3 2

Rolla: Manion, Perdue (7) and Herbst. Washington: Maas and Heberer. WP: Maas. LP: Manion.

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RHS baseball hopes to bring winning attitude to new field

ROLLA – Winning makes a big difference.

And after a solid 2006 campaign, the Rolla High School baseball team is hoping to continue that winning attitude into this spring on a brand new home field.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to play their first-ever game on the First Community National Bank Field at the Bray Sports Complex on Monday, March 19, opening the season against Washington at 4:30 p.m. in the opening game (varsity-only) of the Four Rivers Classic.

Rolla is also scheduled to play Four Rivers Classic games at Owensville on March 20 and back in Rolla against New Haven on March 21.

Work has been done on the field throughout the school year to attempt to get it game-ready for the season-opener. And the tweaking continues on through this week, and it appears it will indeed be ready in time for the opener.

And the field will be showcased immediately. For the first time in several years Rolla will host the district baseball tournament at the end of the regular season.

"I think it’s going to be one of the best facilities in the (Ozark) Conference," said RHS baseball head coach Jason Swearingen of the Bulldogs’ new field. "A lot of little touches will come with time. But as far as the playing surface it’s coming along really well.

"It’s exciting to have a place we can truly call our own."

The Bulldogs have six starters back from last season’s 16-9 squad. Swearingen kept 33 players on the roster this spring.

"We’ve got a chance to have a real nice club," Swearingen said. "Our core group of pitchers did real well (last season) and we return 15 or 16 wins from last year."

Senior right-hander John Manion leads the way for the Bulldog pitching staff. He has been the Bulldogs’ No. 1 starter since his freshman season. Last spring Manion had a 7-2 record with a 2.10 ERA in 10 games, fanning 32 and walking just 14 in 56.2 innings.

Senior Michael Martin, another right-hander, is back as Rolla’s No. 2 starter and he is followed by sophomore lefty Dalton Friend, a transfer from Newburg, at No. 3.

Martin had a 4-2 mark last season with a 3.88 ERA. Friend was an All-Frisco League selection as a pitcher this past fall season at Newburg before moving to Rolla.

Rounding out the varsity pitching staff are junior Josh Stephens, senior Brady Dean, sophomore Ross Parker and sophomore Daniel Perdue – all right-handers.

"John will do a fine job in the No. 1 spot," Swearingen said. "Martin solidifies the No. 2 spot and Friend coming in helps."

Handling that staff as the starting catcher will be senior Thomas Herbst. His backup, sophomore Jeff Brown, will be recovering from a broken foot for a couple more weeks.

Senior Ty Whitelock returns to start at first base.

Parker and Perdue are battling for the starting second base position.

Martin returns for his third season as the starting shortstop. When he’s on the mound Perdue will switch over to the position.

Junior Tanner Sturgeon will start at third base. Sturgeon will also play some outfield when Friend is on the mound. When that’s the case Manion will play some third base.

Dean switches to leftfield from rightfield this spring and sophomore Tyler Sinnott, who has returned from a wrist injury suffered at the end of the basketball season, is back in center. Friend will start in rightfield.

Rolla is still trying to heal up. One huge preseason setback was senior second baseman Steve Whitson, who suffered a broken bone in his right foot and is expected to miss the first three-to-five weeks of the season.

The big losses to graduation are third baseman-pitcher Hank Yoakum, outfielder Mike Rogers and catcher Jason Grose.

Manion is the leading hitter back with a .371 average last season with 10 doubles and 17 RBI. Also, Whitson hit .347 with a team-high five homers and 21 RBI while Dean batted .342 with 15 RBI, Whitelock hit .313 with 19 RBI.

"Offensively I think we can do some stuff," Swearingen said. "We have some power bats back. We have three lefties in the lineup (Dean, Sturgeon and Friend) just about every day. And we’ve got four or five guys who can do some things on the bases.

"Fundamentally...getting enough reps in. That’s what we’re still working on. In a two-week (preseason) period it’s tough to get everything in."

The Bulldogs expect to be in the thick of the Ozark Conference race this season. RHS finished 4-5 in the tough league last season.

"The conference schedule will be tough," Swearingen said. "(Springfield) Hillcrest is always tough. (Springfield) Kickapoo has some kids back and will be strong. And (Springfield) Glendale has got their top arms back."

Here is the Bulldogs’ 2007 baseball schedule:

March 19...Washington in Four Rivers Classic, 4:30 p.m.

March 20...at Owensville in Four Rivers Classic, 4:30 p.m.

March 21...New Haven in Four Rivers Classic, 4:30 p.m.

March 24...Four Rives Classic Finals, tba

March 29...St. Clair, 4:30 p.m.

March 30...at St. James, 4:30 p.m.

April 2...Iberia, 5 p.m.

April 3...at Springfield Kickapoo, 4:30 p.m.

April 5...at Springfield Hillcrest, 4:30 p.m.