Wildcat Baseball is back!

By Shari Harris, Publisher

August 11 was the official start of practice for the 2025 Fall Wildcat Baseball season, and their first games will be August 29 and 30, at U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark. The Licking Wildcats will face Silo, Okla., Southwest (Washburn), Purdy and Crane in the two day event.

Head Coach Cole Roark returns to guide his young team, along with Assistant Coach Daniel Cooper, who coached the Junior High Wildcat baseball team last year, Assistant Coach Chris Harris, and for the fall season, hitting consultant Gideon Antle.

The Wildcats will have two returning seniors this year, Karson Walker and Isaac Rinne.

Walker plays shortstop and, in addition to earning All-Conference and All-District honors last season, he was second team All-State.

Rinne pitches and plays outfield. He was the Wildcat’s top pitcher last season based on quantity and earned All-Conference honors.

Conway Adey is the lone junior on the team. Conway threw 18 innings and was 2-1 last season, with a 2.7 ERA. In addition to pitching, he plays outfield and first base.

These three are joined by fourteen sophomores and four freshmen, with some of the sophomores returning for their second year on varsity.

Sophomores Jett Sullins and Jason Ingram are two returning varsity players. Sullins batted .348 with four home runs his freshman year, and Ingram batted .337 with 34 RBI.

Other sophomores saw playing time on varsity last year as well, and they are anticipated to contribute even more this year.

Coach Roark is expecting sophomores Trent Wood (pitcher and outfielder), Colin Kuhn (first base and pitcher), Easton Stoops (middle infielder, second base), and Logan Buckner (catcher, third base) to be significant contributors this year.

Sophomore Parker Huff may DH a little in the fall, but is recovering from injury. He is anticipated to pitch in the spring.

Two home school students will be Wildcats this year as well. Sophomore Isaac Running Horse will pitch on varsity, and freshman Jack Friend also joins the team. Other sophomores and freshmen will also be striving to get varsity time this year.

The Wildcats stole 103 bases in 31 games last spring, and this year’s team retains that speed, along with good pitching, defense and strength. Coach Roark plans to work his young team this fall to prepare for a post-season run in the spring. He has high expectations for this team, and wants another District Championship and more for his players.

A tough schedule awaits, and you can expect Licking to be very competitive. Many of the teams they will face have been district or state winners in the recent past and, like Licking, have a strong history of winning.

For Licking fans, it should be a great season to watch. See you at the park!

Photos by Shari Harris