Blair Oaks returns to state championships for second time in three years

OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Falcons put together a masterclass to shut out Licking in the semifinal round, 10-0.

Blair Oaks has been a force to deal with throughout the entire postseason. Since the district tournament began, head coach Chris Ebright's team has outscored its opponents 42-1 on their way to the final four. With just two games left between them and a title, the Falcons continue to improve, even into the late stages of the year.

The semi final round proved to be no different, with Blair Oaks striking first on a Carson Verslues grounder to second that brought in a run on a fielders choice. Then a pair of triples from Kason Lance and Kaden Schulte brought in three more scores to blow the game open with only a single out recorded.

Hayden Lackman hit the team's third triple in the second inning, which also brought in a run to make it 5-0 to the Falcons, and they'd stretch it to six before the frame was over.

The Falcons continued to extend that lead, bringing in another run in the third and fourth to get to an eight run lead entering the fifth. A deep double from Gage Leffert set the stage for Vander Halford to walk it off, as he punched the final run of the game back up the middle past the pitcher ending the game via a run-rule in the fifth inning.

On the other side of the ball, the pitching and defense was just as impressive. Wyatt Libbert allowed just a single hit in his five shoutout innings of work, only needing 55 pitches to complete the game.

Up Next - Blair Oaks is set for the final where they will face a Duschene team that did not drop a game in the month of May. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4.