Cairo Opposes Defending Champ Oran in State Semis

Cairo baseball will match up against the defending Class 1 champion Oran Eagles in the state semifinals Monday. Coach Morgan Matthews’ Bearcats advanced to the Final Four with a 7-6 win over #1 state ranked Northwest (Hughesville) that was capped off with a two-out walkoff grand slam by Gage Wilson.

14-5 Cairo is in the Final Four for the first time since 2014. 19-3 Oran is in for the 13th time since 1998 and the Eagles have won it all in three straight trips. Matthews says his team can’t be intimidated by Oran’s history.

Matthews says pitching and defense will continue to be the biggest key.

Pitching and defense is also a high priority for Oran coach Joe Bickings.

Bickings says the Eagles like to use a patient approach at the plate.

Both teams are identical statistically with Oran averaging 9 runs scored and 2.5 runs allowed per game while Cairo averages 8.4 scored and 2.7 allowed. You can hear the game on 99.9 The Captain with pregame starting around 3:40. Austin Ward will have the call. St Elizabeth and Platte Valley meet in the opposite Class 1 semifinal.