Green City to Face Oran in Class 1 Semifinal Rematch

The Green City Gophers are set to play in their second-ever Missouri State Baseball Championship. The Gophers previously reached the Class 1 Semifinals in 2018 where they lost 7-1 to Oran on their way to a third place finish. The Oran Eagles will once again be their opponent in the semifinals Monday. Green City coach Dale Whitacre comments on seeing the Eagles again.

Green City comes into Monday morning’s semifinal with a record of 12-3. The Gophers are coming off a 12-5 quarterfinal win over Pattonsburg where they grabbed control of the contest with 9 runs in the second inning. Whitacre says they’re looking to fully enjoy the trip to the state finals.

While Green City is making just their second trip to the state finals, Oran will be making their 13th such appearance. Their last two state trips yielded their lone baseball state titles in 2013 and 2018. The top-ranked Eagles have run-ruled three of their four opponents in the state playoffs, including an 11-1 victory over Norwood in the quarterfinals. Oran coach Joe Bickings says his team rolled from the second inning onwards against Norwood.

Oran will enter the game with a record of 22-4 on the season. Both teams will be adjusting to new surroundings as the Missouri State Baseball Championships have moved to U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark this year. Despite the new surroundings, Bickings says many of his players have familiarity with the general area.

Leeton and St. Elizabeth will square off in the other Class 1 Semifinal on Monday. Pregame coverage of the game between Green City and Oran will begin at 10:45 am on Superstation KRES and centralmoinfo.com. Colin Schowe will have the call.