Gainesville Bulldogs fourth in state . . . Baseball team goes to final four in state tourney for the first time in school history
Photo by Karla Smith Photography The Gainesville Bulldogs baseball team took fourth place in the Missouri Class 2 state tournament held at U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark May 30-31. It was the first time in school history that a baseball team has made it to the final four. Members of the team are, from left, (front row) Logan Hillhouse, Brady Myers, Jake Leeker, Bryce Hambelton, Landry Jenkins, Wyatt Alms, Camden Evans, Isaac Pippin; (back row) Assistant Coaches Austin Thompson and Josh Richer, Kannon Morrison, Jarett Hogan, Daden House, Hunter Luna, Nathan Kiger, Andrew Hambelton, Bryson Martin, Carter Wise, Briar Walrath, Aden Yarger and Head Coach Blake Hobbs. A full-color special section will be published in next week’s Ozark County Times commemorating the history-making season, the players and coaches.
The Gainesville Bulldogs baseball team took fourth place in the Class 2 state championship after falling to Plattsburg 13-5 Tuesday, May 31. It’s been an exciting season for Bulldog fans, who flocked from Gainesville to watch them play in the post-season tournament held at the US Ballpark in Ozark.
A full-color special section will be published in next week’s Ozark County Times commemorating the history-making season, the players and coaches.
The Bulldogs, who ended their season with a 22-8 record, were the first baseball team in school history to make it to the Final Four after defeating the Marionville Comets 2-1 May 25, at Parkview High School in Springfield.
Gainesville fans packed the bleachers at the Parkview ball field to watch the Bulldogs battle for a chance to continue their bid for a state championship. The last time Gainesville High School athletes competed at the state tournament level was in 2005 when the Lady Bulldogs basketball team finished third. Prior to that, Gainesville teams who reached the state final four were the girls basketball teams in 1981 and 1982, the girls softball team in 1976 and the boys basketball team in 1957.
Wyatt Alms hit the go-ahead 2-run home run in the third inning of the quarterfinal contest. “Wyatt is a clutch hitter,” said GHS Coach Blake Hobbs. “He stepped up last year, and he did it again this year. Sometimes you don’t have to have 10 plus runs to win.”
Andrew Hambelton and Jake Leeker combined to throw a three-hitter. “Andrew has been our guy on the mound all season long. Talk about a sophomore who trusts his team mates behind him. He just goes out and competes,” Hobbs said after the Marionville game. “When it got tight, and I saw he was struggling, I went to Jake Leeker. Jake showed out on the mound, and that’s why we are where we are.”
The Bulldogs made it to the quarterfinals last year, but had lost a close 2-0 contest to Marionville, so the Gainesville boys were looking to avenge that loss and continue their season.
And they did, earning them a chance to take on the Portageville Bulldogs on Monday, May 30, at US Ballpark in Ozark for the Class 2 State Semifinal. The Gainesville Bulldogs chance to play for a state championship came to an end after falling 6-0 to Portageville in the semifinals. The Portageville team, who comes from a small town in the Missouri Bootheel, held a 30-3 record before meeting Gainesville and, like Gainesville, had never been to a baseball state tournament. Gainesville, known as heavy hitters throughout the season, had racked up 30 home runs during the season, but the wind, a big field and Portageville defense ended hopes for a state championship.
The Bulldogs had a great season. Watch next week’s Times for photos and more information.