Wildcats go back to back to back

By Editor | May 28, 2025 |

Photo by Shari Harris
The 2025 Class 3 District 9 Champions are, from left, front row: Manager Mason Burks (standing), Isaac Rinne, Cole McCloy, Jordan Ritz, Kannon Buckner, Kale Cook and Karson Walker; Assistant Coach Eriq Kristek, Conway Adey, Jasper McCloy, Jason Ingram, Trent Wood, Assistant Coach Chris Harris, Parker Huff, Jett Sullins, Logan Buckner, Easton Stoops, Colin Kuhn and Head Coach Cole Roark. Not pictured: Manager Peyton Goforth.

By Coach Cole Roark

For the third consecutive year, the Licking Wildcats are District Champions. Five years in a row for the program they have played in the District championship game, and for the past three they have brought home the hardware. A return to tradition, and a new beginning, all in one, for the Class 3 Wildcats.

Being selected as the number one seed in Class 3 District 9, Licking had to wait for the first round to conclude before finding out who their opponent in the semifinal would be. Familiar foe Houston secured a win over Willow Springs to advance and set the stage. Licking brought a record of 20-8 to the contest, while Houston, the number four seed, had amassed an 11-12 record.

Strong pitching from senior Kannon Buckner got the Wildcats off to a great start, and they never looked back. The righthander went five full innings, allowing no runs on two hits, no walks and seven strikeouts.

Karson Walker scored in the bottom of the first on an RBI groundout from Kale Cook to get the Wildcats on the board. In the bottom of the second, a five-run avalanche happened with two outs, as Karson Walker doubled, scoring two, an error scored two, and Kale Cook singled, scoring the fifth run of the inning. In the bottom of the third, five more runs came on five hits, as Jordan Ritz doubled, scoring one run, Karson Walker singled, Cole McCloy singled scoring a run, and Kannon Buckner grounded out scoring another, then Kale Cook singled to finish the offensive explosion. Final score, Licking 11, Houston 0.

The District Championship saw Licking and Thayer square off. Thayer had secured the number two seed and brought a 10-8 record to the matchup.

Jordan Ritz got the start for Licking and absolutely made the most of it. The senior righthander went seven full innings, allowing no runs on four hits, two walks and ten strikeouts. The dominant performance on the mound settled the team down, and they did not commit an error in the contest.

In the bottom of the first, Jason Ingram drove in a run with a single, and a wild pitch scored Kannon Buckner to give an early two-run lead. In the third, Kale Cook hit an RBI double, followed by Logan Buckner with an RBI groundout. In the fifth, Jason Ingram was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Conway Adey came through with a two-out single, scoring two runs to make it 6-0 Licking. In the bottom of the sixth, a one-out triple by Jett Sullins led to a sacrifice bunt from Karson Walker, and an errant throw led to the run scoring. Kannon Buckner drove in the final run with a single to right field. Final Score: Licking 8, Thayer 0.

The 2025 Licking Wildcats look to continue their playoff run on Tuesday, May 27, where they will face the Fair Grove Eagles in a Sectional matchup. Licking will be the host school.