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By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — After a venue change from Norwood to Hillcrest High School, the Norwood Pirates (13-8 overall) hopped on the bus and had plenty of time to think about the pending Class 1 quarterfinals tilt against a familiar foe Wednesday.
The Pirates ran into the Oran Eagles for back-to-back seasons, falling 3-1 in a tense, chippy contest at Hillcrest.
Last year, Norwood fell 11-1 to the Eagles in the very same round.
Sixth-year Norwood skipper Drew Miller said the team is leaps and bounds from last season.
“We came in with high hopes,” Miller said. “Lost to a good Oran team. We had minimal practices because we won Class 2 state [basketball]. Came in a week late. Started a little rough, but our seniors pulled us together.”
Seniors Jacob Sinning (P/1B), Dylan Calhoun (3B), starting hurler Garrett Davault, and Brayden Wehrer (DH) now say goodbye to the Pirates.
“They have meant the world to this baseball program,” Miller said of his senior core. “The first couple of years we played in a couple district championships but never really made any noise. They missed their sophomore year due to COVID. And then bounced back junior and senior years with the state quarterfinals.”
While the terrain may have been a bit bumpy in late March, early April, the progression has been evident, especially given the 7-game winning streak to conclude the 2022 campaign.
“This is our second trip to the quarterfinals in the last two years,” Miller added. “Unfortunately, we ran into Oran both trips. They are a good ballclub. To say I am proud is an understatement. From where we started this season, to where we ended, very pleased.”
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Davault — the reigning Class 2 basketball Player of the Year — is a tough one to lose, Miller said.
Added Miller: “The best way to describe Garrett is a gamer. I felt confident giving him the ball today because I knew he was going to compete; he was going to throw strikes and compete. He was going to make everyone around him better.”
Between the regular season, districts, and the sectional round, Davault has logged some innings, to say the least.
“Going to miss that next year,” Miller said of his recent graduate. “Somebody is going to have to step up. Big shoes to fill”
Other than a few pitches he would like to have back, Davault was stout: going the distance, allowing three runs (1st, 2nd innings) and striking out three.
“He has really built it [program] up from where it was four years ago,” Miller added.
Offensively, Calhoun drove in the lone Pirates run.
