By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Kickapoo Chiefs (2-3) hit their newly renovated field Wednesday evening as they played host to the visiting Ozark Tigers (2-0).
While the calendar shows March, the ambience and marquee pitching matchup paralleled a May or June contest as Kickapoo threw Colin Muldoon and Mizzou-commit Cooper Pumphrey, who stands 6’6” and delivers heat that registers in the low 90s, threw for the visiting Tigers.
It was anyone’s game, and patience at the dish was vital as Ozark played spoiler to Kickapoo’s home opener, besting the Chiefs 5-4 in the back-and-forth Class 6 contest.
The two also reside in the jam-packed Class 6 District 6.
Muldoon was in control early and often, using his off-speed to ring up hitters when not mixing in his high 80s heater — moving in and out of the zone throughout the evening.
But so was Ozark’s Pumphrey, who used all parts of the zone — expanding at times —finishing with 7 strikeouts.
“Yeah, you have two really good pitchers going at it. Kickapoo is always extremely well-coached,” said Tigers head coach Justin Sundlie. “You just want to keep it close and have the chance to win.”
While the Chiefs didn’t get the win, they did work deep counts as the Ozark hurler amassed 70 pitches midway through the third frame and exited in the bottom of the fifth.
Something in which they will look to emulate at May’s district tournament in case the road leads to a rematch.
“Pumphrey kept us in it. I don’t think he was at his best today, but he handled the big atmosphere,” said Sundlie. “I think both pitchers did. That is what made the game so exciting, every run, every base hit matters.”
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Pumphrey allowed a run in the opening frame as Kickapoo’s Chase Hamme connected for the RBI single.
“I felt pretty good. My accuracy was a little spotty, but I battled through it,” said Pumphrey. “I think me and my catcher [Miller] really worked together. If I can just eliminate the walks that I had.”
Every inning but one Pumphrey worked ahead and did not allow the leadoff hitter to reach base. But he walked five Chiefs.
“They were not chasing out of the strike zone on him,” said Sundlie. “They were drawing walks. He did a good job of pitching out of some jams. I am proud of him for that.”
The Tigers reciprocated, though, as they received a run via balk in the top of the second.
In the fourth, they plated a pair as Gannon Miller knocked in a run and an error scored another, taking the 3-1 lead.
The teeter-totter effect continued as Kickapoo’s Brooks Eaton drove in a run, cutting it to 3-2.
The Chiefs weren’t done.
Brody Wilson sized up his pitch and doubled, making it 3-3.
Ozark took the lead again as Hudson Roberts plated a run on his RBI single.
And, once again, Kickapoo rose to the occasion.
The Chiefs tied it at four as Eaton added another RBI to his 2024 resume. He took the loss in the contest, coming in relief of Muldoon, who went 5 1/3 innings.
In the top of the seventh, Truman Griessel came through with the game-sealing hit and sending the Tigers to a 2-0 start to the campaign, as they host Helias Catholic on Friday.
Tigers get defensive
Ozark’s defense also is credited in the win, as it only committed one error to Kickapoo’s four.
Ozark had one run more, one hit more and three fewer errors, a tangible that Pumphrey appreciates.
Said Pumphrey: “I had trust in my stuff, stuff in my catcher and trust in my defense behind me. I knew I could throw anything over the plate I wanted, and if they put it in play, so be it. I have a great defense.”
