WILDCATS THIRD IN STATE!

By Editor | June 12, 2026 |

Photo by Shari Harris
The Wildcats brought home third place medals from the State Class 3 Tournament. From left, front row: Phoenix Maxey, Brayden Moberly, Gage Mesger, Jason Ingram, Karson Walker, Isaac Rinne, Conway Adey, Logan Buckner, Jett Sullins and Colin Kuhn; back row: Head Coach Cole Roark, Westin Elliott, Kerium O’Daniel, Logan Kuhn, Jackson Friend, Parker Huff, Isaac Runninghorse, Easton Stoops, Roman Scavone, Trenton Wood, Assistant Coach Chris Harris and Assistant Coach Daniel Cooper.

After a disappointing loss to Blair Oaks in the semifinal round of the Class 3 State Tournament last week, the Licking Wildcats rallied to defeat Scott City and bring home the title of Third Place.

The young Wildcats, with two seniors and a single junior on the roster, rolled into Ozark on Wednesday, June 3. They were pitted against the Blair Oaks Falcons to decide who would play in the championship game. Blair Oaks was on a post-season hot streak, defeating Versailles 15-0 and Warsaw 11-0 in District play, then besting Holden (4-1) and Carrollton (12-0) to make it to the final four. The Wildcats were unable to put out the fire, and Blair Oaks steamed past them 10-0 to face Duchesne, winning the championship 11-1 on Thursday.

Licking faced the Scott City Rams on Thursday in the third place contest.

Scott City was first on the board in the bottom of the third when Evan Boswell connected for a single, allowing Trey Barrett to cross home plate.

The Wildcats responded in the top of the fourth, when a walk placed Conway Adey on first. Logan Buckner advanced Adey to second but was thrown out at first. An uncaught third strike allowed Jett Sullins to hustle to first, and Adey advanced to third. Trenton Wood flied out, but Parker Huff reached on a fielding error, which allowed Adey to score. A strike-out ended the inning, but the score was tied 1-1.

The fifth inning was a big one for the Wildcats. Karson Walker was hit by a pitch, but was out at second when Easton Stoops hit to the pitcher’s mound and reached on a fielder’s choice. A single for Jason Ingram followed, and Logan Kuhn entered the game, running for Ingram. Adey loaded the bases with a single, then Buckner was hit by a pitch, bringing Stoops home. A strikeout by Sullins made it two outs, but Wood was walked, letting Kuhn score. Huff came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. His triple down the right field line earned him three RBIs and upped the score to 6-1, which would hold for the rest of the game.

Wood pitched 5-2/3-innings for the Wildcats, and Adey took the mound for the final 1-1/3-innings. The Wildcats defensively held the Rams to just one run on eight hits.

Congratulations to each of the players, along with Head Coach Cole Roark, Asst. Coach Daniel Cooper, and Asst. Coach Chris Harris!