After both teams won their semifinal contest with dominant pitching performances, the Mountain Grove Panthers (21-5) and the Licking Wildcats (15-13) called on their aces to continue the trend and propel their team to a Class 3 District 10 championship. This game, however, was a showcase of offense for the Panthers as they struck early and then proceeded to pile on the runs in a 10-0 win in six innings.
The dagger for the Wildcats came in the bottom of the sixth inning after three batters were hit by a pitch. That left the bases loaded for Mountain Grove senior Cory Allen who hit a two-out grand slam that extended the Panthers lead to 9-0 and ended any chance of a Licking comeback.
“We went out there and executed,” said Mountain Grove senior starting pitcher Alex Moore of his team’s performance. “We did what we have trained to do all season and we got it done.”
The Panthers put the pressure on the Wildcats early in the ballgame. After Licking senior starting pitcher Gage Atchley walked three of the first four batters, Mountain Grove was able to plate the first run of the game on junior Brock Coffman’s RBI one-out walk with the bases loaded. A wild pitch to the next batter put the Panthers ahead 2-0 after the first inning.
The Panthers were not finished, though, as Mountain Grove sophomore Connor McNew led off the second inning with a home run to left field that extended the lead to 3-0.
Although it was not Alex Moore’s most impressive game of the season, he was still able to get batters out when his team needed them most. Following the game, Moore was quick to praise his teammates for their defensive contributions.
“I had a little bit more walks than I should have,” said Moore of his pitching performance. “I just threw for outs. My team picked me up and got the outs for me. [I give] all the credit to my team. They went out there and did what they were supposed to do.”
Licking loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth inning after Atchley was hit by a pitch. Moore was then able to get senior Austin Satterfield to ground out and end the threat.
Moore realizes how special it is to win another district championship, but he knows there is still more work to do.
“I couldn’t ask for anything better,” said Moore. “We’ve been working hard for this all year. It was one of our goals. Now, moving on from this, we have our next game Monday, and we are all looking forward to getting after it.”
Mountain Grove will head home to face District 9 champion Blair Oaks on May 23.
Licking 000 000 x—0
Mtn. Grove 210 115 x—10
