Wildcats continue win streak – go 5-0 on the week

By Editor | October 1, 2025 |

Photo by Shari Harris
Conway Adey pitched seven complete innings against Van Buren, striking out 14 batters.

By Cole Roark

Fall baseball continued for the Licking Wildcats as they entered into a five-game week. Three tough opponents came to town during a week of home games, and the Cats’ pitching was more than enough to handle the job.

Monday, September 22, saw Varsity and Junior Varsity action against the Alton Comets, and a combined effort from Isaac Rinne and Isaac Running Horse stopped the Comets in their tracks. Rinne pitched the first four innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and securing a win. Running Horse came on in relief, pitching three innings and allowing one hit to close out the effort. The Wildcat offense was led by a double and a triple from Colin Kuhn, a double from Karson Walker, and a two-hit, three-RBI night for Jason Ingram. The final score was 5-2 for Licking. The JV fought hard but lost, 6-7.

Rain came on Tuesday, but a rescheduled Van Buren game came later in the week, pushing that contest to Friday. After a couple days of rest, Licking hosted the Gainesville Bulldogs on Thursday, the 25th. This time the Bulldogs had reason to fear the Cats, as Trent Wood dominated from the mound. Wood went the distance, throwing a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts, allowing just two hits. Missouri Southern commit Grant Leeker took the hill for the Bulldogs, and the lefty was a tough nut to crack until the Wildcat pressure forced some errors. In the bottom of the third, an error scored two runs, breaking the stalemate, and Licking was able to scratch another in the same inning. Conway Adey, Jason Ingram and Parker Huff each collected a hit in the contest, and Licking did not commit an error in the game. The final score was 3-0, Licking. In the JV game, the game was back and forth until Roman Scavone hit an RBI triple to tie the game, and Jack Friend stepped up to the plate and hit a walkoff single to give Licking the win, 5-4.

The rescheduled date with Van Buren came on Friday, and with more Bulldogs in their sights, Licking found a way to win another tight contest. Conway Adey was the pitching hero in this one. Seeing Trent’s previous start, Adey decided to throw a gem of his own. The junior went the distance, throwing seven complete innings, striking out an impressive 14 hitters. He walked none in the game and scattered five hits, allowing one run in the contest. Licking scored four runs in the contest, while Jett Sullins, Karson Walker and Jason Ingram each picked up a hit. The final score was 4-1 Licking. In the JV game, offense was not a problem, as Licking scored 11 runs to Van Buren’s three. JV finished the week with a record of 5-2.

Saturday was a road trip, as Licking traveled to West County for a Varsity double header against Arcadia Valley and Bismarck. Another strong pitching performance put the Cats in rare air, as they won their fourth game in a single week. Isaac Running Horse took the mound in game one against Arcadia Valley. The sophomore battled through four innings, striking out five, walking five, while surrendering one run on two hits. Logan Buckner came on and threw the final two innings, as the game ended short because of time limit. Buckner surrendered no runs on two hits. The offense was due for a breakout, and Jason Ingram delivered three RBIs by himself, along with a double. Logan Buckner and Karson Walker each picked up a hit in the contest. The Cats ran wild as Karson Walker stole five bags, Jett Sullins stole two, and Logan and Colin Kuhn each swiped one bag for themselves. Final score: 7-1 Licking.

To finish the week, Rinne got the start against Bismarck. He threw a complete game over six innings, allowing one earned run on four hits, and collected eight strikeouts. Rinne picked up his second win of the week with his strong performance. The offense had a game to remember, as they picked up ten hits in the contest. Easton Stoops clobbered two doubles, as did Logan Buckner with two of his own. Conway Adey, Colin Kuhn and Karson Walker each had a double, and Adey added a triple for good measure. The Wildcats scored 14 runs in the contest to make the final score 14-3.

Coincidentally, that is also Licking’s record in the fall season, 14 wins and 3 losses. The next action is Monday the 29th at Stoutland.