Oran reloads again in Class 1

ORAN -- Oran baseball doesn't regress, it just reloads.

Oran, a small town of about 1,300, has enjoyed a hugely successful run in the Missouri Class 1 high school baseball playoffs in recent years. The Eagles, currently ranked No. 4 in the state by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association Poll, are seeking their third straight MSHSAA Final Four appearance and fifth in seven seasons.

A runner-up finish in 1998 jumpstarted the program and was followed up with a third place in 1999. After a two-year absence, the Eagles finished third again in 2002 and lost 5-2 in the championship final to Sparta in 2003.

Head baseball coach Mitch Wood, at the helm throughout the Oran Renaissance, explains, "We've got a strong tradition here for baseball and I really think it's because of the good kids we have, the strong community support and our solid Little League programs."

Added Wood, "I'm a firm believer that winning breeds winning."

Oran appears headed toward another strong postseason with a young team that's posted an 11-2 record thus far, marred only by a 4-3 road loss to Class 4 Poplar Bluff and a 12-11 loss to Scott City. The scrappy Eagles rally from a 12-3 deficit fell just short in that one.

With only one full-time and one part-time starter returning from the '03 squad, the Eagle lineup consists of four seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and one freshman.

The seniors are pitcher/infielder Matt Seyer, the only returning regular; outfielder Garrett Roslen, a part-time designated hitter last season; outfielder Dustin Eftink and DH Brent Graviett, both reserves. The juniors are infielder/pitcher Trevor Irwin and outfielder Craig Friga. Catcher Joey Williams, infielder/pitcher Paul Bucher and infielder Austin Dumey represent the sophomore class, while first baseman/pitcher Chase Seyer is the lone freshman starter.

"It's like I told everybody at the beginning of the year," said Wood, "somebody forgot to tell 'em they weren't very good and they weren't supposed to win. They just keep trying to win ballgames.

"Coach (assistant Larry) Boshell and I knew that we had some kids coming up that were going to be pretty good. We look down now, even through the fourth grade, and we've got some pretty good kids that can play a little bit."

Wood is more than pleased with the progress of his present team. He characterizes that growth as "tremendous."

"People don't realize how much fundamental stuff we weren't doing right the first two weeks of practice up until, probably, the first three weeks of the season," he said. "We've really come a long way as far as kids doing things the right way."

As for a possible run at another district championship, Wood believes the district is wide open, but likes his team's chances. He mentioned Advance as the chief hurdle and Bell City as a possible factor. Oran owns a 10-7 regular-season victory over the Hornets with Bell City remaining on the schedule. Oran also defeated sectional rival North Pemiscot 7-0 earlier in the season.

"We just hope we get ourselves placed in that situation," said Wood. "If we get placed in a situation to win a district tournament or to win after that, we'll be tickled to death. We just want to have the chance to do that."