Licking wins Frisco Tournament

By Editor | September 18, 2024 |

Photo courtesy of Licking R-8 Schools
From left, front: Easton Stoops, Jett Sullins, Colin Kuhn, Parker Huff, Jasper McCloy, Kannon Buckner and Isaac Rinne; back: Cole McCloy, Karson Walker, Logan Buckner, Kale Cook, Conway Adey, Jordan Ritz, Jason Ingram and Trent Wood.

By Coach Cole Roark

LICKING 15, PLATO 0

IBERIA, Mo. – The Wildcats headed to Iberia for this year’s Frisco League Tournament. Licking was seeded #2 and played the #7 seed Plato Eagles in first round action on Saturday, September 7.

Isaac Rinne threw a no-hitter with three strikeouts through the three-inning contest. The Wildcats also plated 15 runs to win by mercy rule. Eight hits were collected in the contest, along with eight walks. Final score: Licking 15, Plato 0.

LICKING 4, CROCKER 2

Second round action saw Kannon Buckner strike out 10 batters as the starter led the Licking Wildcats past the Crocker Lions 4-2 on Wednesday. Buckner gave up five hits and two runs over six and one-third innings while walking three.

The Wildcats opened the scoring in the first after an error scored one run. Licking added one run in the second after Karson Walker singled. Licking added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Jett Sullins hit into a fielder’s choice, and Isaac Rinne singled, each scoring one run.

Kale Cook and McCloy were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits while hitting back-to-back. Walker, Rinne and Sullins each drove in one run. Licking was sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Jasper McCloy had the most chances in the field with 12.

LICKING 1, IBERIA 0

The Frisco League Tournament Championship was played on Friday, September 13th, and was an absolute pitcher’s duel.

Iberia entered the contest with 37 straight wins, dating back to Fall 2023, with an unbeaten spring campaign which saw them go 22-0 and become Class 2 State Champions.

In the battle of southpaw starting pitchers, Kale Cook and Tanner Patterson faced off. The game was tied at zero in the top of the sixth when an error scored one run.

Kale Cook earned the win for Licking Varsity Wildcats. The left-handed pitcher gave up three hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out 11 and walking two. Tanner Patterson took the loss for Iberia. The pitcher went six and two-thirds innings, surrendering one run (zero earned) on one hit, striking out 17 and walking three.

Kannon Buckner had the lone hit for Licking in two at-bats. Karson Walker scored the winning run.

Noah Riemensnider, Patterson and Tucker Jones each collected one hit for the Iberia Rangers.

LICKING 6, CONWAY 2

On Friday, September 6, the varsity Wildcats defeated Conway in their first home game of the season, by a score of 6-2. The Junior Varsity Wildcats also won their game, 5-3. The following slideshow was from the varsity game versus Conway.