Four Wildcat wins follow loss to Rolla
By Coach Harv Antle
LICKING, Mo. – The Licking Wildcats completed a busy five-game week on Saturday with a sweep of Dixon and South Callaway. The week produced four wins against just one loss and raised the Wildcats’ overall record to 16-3. Below are the game summaries:
ROLLA 5, LICKING 2
ROLLA, Mo. – The Rolla Bulldogs used a four-run fourth inning to slide past Licking 5-2 on Monday night in Rolla.
The Wildcats took an early lead when Rusty Buckner hit a solo home run in the top of the second. Licking was in control with Kellar Davis on the mound until the bottom of the fourth inning.
Rolla assembled a rally with three hits, a hit by pitch, and a balk to tally four runs. The big blow was a three-run home run from Kaden Reedy.
After Rolla added an insurance run in the fifth to go in front 5-1, Licking put together a rally of its own in the seventh. The Wildcats put two runners on and got the tying run to the plate.
The rally fell short as Licking scored just one run and fell 5-2. Buckner led the limited Licking offense with a 2-for-2 night that included a homer, two runs scored and an RBI. Silas Antle’s double and Austin Stephens’ single were the other Wildcat base hits.
Davis was the tough luck loser for Licking. Over six innings, Davis allowed five runs on five hits with three walks and eight strikeouts.
Logan Shivers was the winner for Rolla. His line included seven innings pitched, two runs allowed on four hits and one walk. He fanned five.
Licking split the night with a 2-1 victory in the JV game. Conway Adey was the winning pitcher as he allowed one run on two hits and struck out six.
The JV ‘Cats scored both their runs in the fourth inning. Cole McCloy singled and scored in the frame and Jasper McCloy scored on an Adey RBI.
With the win, the JV Wildcats improved to 6-1.
LICKING 17, LAQUEY 0
LICKING, Mo. — The Licking Wildcats shut out Laquey 17-0 Tuesday night at Deer Lick Park.
Austin Stephens picked up the win on the mound for Licking. The senior gave one hit over three innings and fanned seven.
Rusty Buckner and Kale Cook both had two-hit nights to lead the Licking offense. Buckner drove in three runs and Cook drove in two while Karson Walker singled, scored twice, and had two RBIs.
Licking took the JV game 6-0. Isaac Rinne was the winning pitcher as he did not allow a run and struck out six over three innings.
Walker scored twice for the winners, Kale Cook drove in three runs, and Cole McCloy reached base twice, scored two runs and drove in a run.
The win raised the JV ‘Cats record to 7-1.
LICKING 15, RICHLAND 0
LICKING, Mo. – Kale Cook’s two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth invoked the run rule and made Licking a 15-0 winner over the Richland Bears on Friday night at Deer Lick Park.
It also made Rusty Buckner a winner on the mound for the Wildcats. Buckner went the distance and did not give a run over four innings while allowing one hit and striking out six Bears.
Silas Antle collected three hits for Licking and drove in four runs. Buckner doubled twice and knocked in four runs, and Logan Gorman went 2-for-2 with a run-batted-in. Karson Walker doubled for Licking and scored three runs.
LICKING 2, DIXON 1
LICKING, Mo. – On Saturday, Licking edged the Dixon Bulldogs 2-1 behind the strong pitching of Keyton Cook.
Cook turned in six and two-thirds innings on the mound and limited Dixon to one unearned run on just two hits. The senior fanned nine and walked two.
Jordan Ritz relieved in the seventh when Cook reached his pitch count limit. Ritz got the final out to secure the win and record his first save of the season.
The Wildcats racked up nine hits in the contest but stranded nine runners, short circuiting their offense. Licking scored two runs in the first inning but failed to add on throughout the contest.
Silas Antle was 2-for-3 for Licking. Kale Cook doubled and drove in a run, and Kannon Buckner registered a hit and an RBI.
LICKING 15, SOUTH CALLAWAY 0
LICKING – The Licking Wildcats closed out the week with a 15-0 victory over the South Callaway Bulldogs.
Silas Antle started on the mound for Licking and went the distance to pick up the win. He scattered five hits over four innings while striking out six.
Rusty Buckner jump started the offense with a three-run home run in the bottom of the first for Licking. He finished the game 4-for-4 with four RBIs.
Antle chipped in with three hits and two runs-batted-in. Kellar Davis recorded a multi-hit game with three singles and three runs scored, and Austin Stephens had a big game with a double, a triple and two RBIs.
