Freda Aldene Baker was born September 9, 1926 and passed to her heavenly home May 1, 2019. Freda was the second child of Lloyd Austin and Carrie B. Williams Fletchall. She grew up on a farm northeast of Grant City, Missouri. Freda’s elementary school years were spent at Jones East School. The family moved to Grant City where she graduated from Grant City High School.
Freda met Otis Ray Baker of Allendale, Missouri. Ray was in the Army during World War 11. While on leave, the couple married on January 12, 1946 in Troy, Kansas.
Upon Ray’s military discharge, the couple returned to Grant City. As they drove home they came upon the devastation of the tornado that hit Worth, Missouri. They feared this kind of destruction and loss of family in Grant City but found all well. The young couple settled in a home two miles east of Grant City. It was at this home their first child, Judy, was born. Freda had a very difficult delivery and Ray vowed the rest of their children would be born in a hospital.
Freda settled into being a homemaker, wife and mother. She was a wonderful mother to six children: Judy, Joyce, Jack, Janet, Jeanne and Julia. In addition to her children, Freda loved and nurtured the next four generations of her family. She treated her in-law children like she did her children, with love and respect.
Freda was thankful to have her parents, brother and sister close by. She helped care for her parents until their passing.
Ray and Freda were active members of the Grant City Assembly of God Church. Freda loved God’s word and read her bible daily. There was always an open Bible by her chair or on the dining room table. She was also a fervent prayer warrior.
The Baker’s raised huge gardens, chickens, cattle, sheep and hogs. Freda often butchered 100 chickens yearly in addition to canning vegetables and fruits and milking cows. She could whip up a meal to feed a crowd in nothing flat. She made delicious homemade butter to spread on homemade bread. Many of the family’s favorites were homemade ice cream with angel food cake and homemade noodles. A favorite memory of the grandchildren was the special flour bin that held individual boxes of sugar coated cereal, barbeque potato chips and vanilla wafers.
Freda loved to play cards, especially 10 point pitch and pinochle. She never passed up a domino game either. If her opponents were talking a lot she would say, “Are we here to play cards or visit”. She was a fierce competitor. She enjoyed playing outdoor games with her family. Freda was creative with a crochet needle and thread. She was very witty and had a unique sense of humor. Her love for fishing came early, being taught by her parents. No one could cast a cane pole like Freda! There was always a jigsaw puzzle out and no family member could resist sitting with her for long periods of time trying to find a piece.
She loved to take Sunday car rides with Ray and the children. She wasn’t well traveled but enjoyed visiting her daughter Janet, in Arizona and Idaho. She was always up for a ride, no matter the distance. One grandson recalled how slow Grandma drove the green Pinto. She and Ray, almost daily, took a car ride with their dogs, Muffin and Pepper.
Freda worked at the Sale Barn Café, GC Cap Factory and babysat in her home. Her favorite job was working for her brother as secretary at F&M Floor Covering.
After Ray’s passing in 2009, Freda remained in their home east of Grant City. Their last home was a mile from their first home. They were married 63 ½ years. One month before her 90th birthday, Freda moved to Worth County Care and Rehab, where she received love, care and respect.
Preceding her in death are husband, Ray; daughter, Joyce Brown; and her parents Lloyd and Carrie Fletchall.
Left to cherish her memory are children: Judy and Roy Claypool, Jack and Nancy Baker, Janet and Donald Brown, Jeanne Cavin and Russell McPike, Julia and Dennis Cavin and son-in-law Richard Brown: 17 grandchildren and 11 spouses, 30 great-grandchildren and 4 spouses; and 8 great-great grandchildren; sister Leona Davidson and brother Harold Fletchall; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial gifts may be given to Worth County Care and Rehab. Visitation will be held at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri on Sunday, May 5, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 P.M. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, May 6, 2019 at the funeral home. Pastor Jeff Blaine will officiate. Burial will be in the Grant City Cemetery.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Senator Roy Blunt Visits Grant City Medical Clinic
Missouri Senator Roy Blunt visited the Grant City Medical Clinic Saturday and heard about how the clinic is already making an impact on the community. “We’ve saved a lot of lives through the capabilities we have here,” Northwest Medical Center CEO Jon Doolittle told the Senator. The clinic is able to offer more services at the old Casey’s building in Grant City, located next to the Baptist Church and the drive-in. They are now a five day a week clinic, with a doctor on hand two days, and a nurse practitioner on hand the other three days. They have an X-ray on site, which means fewer trips to Albany for patients. They take patients of all ages and all types, without regard for one’s ability to pay.
Nurse Sharon Supinger said that there were about 30% more patients at the facility, and the fact that they don’t have to frequently make trips to Albany or elsewhere, a drive of 25 minutes or more, can mean the difference between saving a life. Patients are coming from as far away as 40 miles north into Iowa, Maryville, King City, and Bethany.
For over 60 years, Northwest Medical Center in Albany was known as Gentry County Memorial Hospital until it was taken over by Mosaic in 2014. This year, Mosaic also bought up St. Francis Hospital in Maryville as well. The partnership was instrumental in the clinic expanding its services; for instance, the X-ray was from another Mosaic facility. They have a system of 500 beds.
Mosaic also partners with Sherri’s Pharmacy, which is frequently able to find medications for people at 10% the cost of what they would pay elsewhere.
The pull factor is important for a county of Worth County’s size. While Worth and Nodaway Counties are holding their own, the Bethany Republican-Clipper reported in its May 1st issue that population was declining in other places. Harrison County is down 6.1% since the 2010 census, which is steeper than the other counties in the area.
There are signs that Worth County is arresting the long-term decline in population. Commissioner Reggie Nonneman, who was at the gathering, said that Worth County was signing up for three times as many new 911 addresses as Gentry County is and that 20 new homes had been built between Grant City and Allendale just in recent years. He said the biggest drawback the county has is the lack of employers with more than two employees.
One way to move forward that Senator Blunt and State Representative Andrews have been working on is broadband. Two weeks ago, Senator Blunt came to Jefferson City and addressed the legislature about the need to move forward with broadband. “Access is just as important as telephone access was 50 years ago,” said Senator Blunt. He noted that nearly every county in the area, with the exception of a few near the Missouri River, has declined in population since 1930. He said that with the economy showing continued signs of strength, such as the 3.6% unemployment rate and 3% growth rate, wages were finally going up and there was a big opportunity to refocus on small communities.
Senator Blunt said that he had learned about the new facility in Grant City during a visit to Northwest Medical Center in January and wanted to learn more about it. He said that one of the biggest hindrances to hospitals was the Affordable Care Act, which he said wrongly assumed that everyone would have the ability to pay, which didn’t happen. That led to a lot of unpaid bills thanks to the high deductibles in the current ACA plans. “We’ve had to work hard to ensure that critical access hospitals are still available,” said Blunt. He said he wanted to invest in behavioral health, funding for health research, and personalized healthcare, which he said has already helped a lot with cancer treatment. “The biggest thing the feds need to understand is the value of critical access,” said Senator Blunt.
Nurse Sharon Supinger said that there were about 30% more patients at the facility, and the fact that they don’t have to frequently make trips to Albany or elsewhere, a drive of 25 minutes or more, can mean the difference between saving a life. Patients are coming from as far away as 40 miles north into Iowa, Maryville, King City, and Bethany.
For over 60 years, Northwest Medical Center in Albany was known as Gentry County Memorial Hospital until it was taken over by Mosaic in 2014. This year, Mosaic also bought up St. Francis Hospital in Maryville as well. The partnership was instrumental in the clinic expanding its services; for instance, the X-ray was from another Mosaic facility. They have a system of 500 beds.
Mosaic also partners with Sherri’s Pharmacy, which is frequently able to find medications for people at 10% the cost of what they would pay elsewhere.
The pull factor is important for a county of Worth County’s size. While Worth and Nodaway Counties are holding their own, the Bethany Republican-Clipper reported in its May 1st issue that population was declining in other places. Harrison County is down 6.1% since the 2010 census, which is steeper than the other counties in the area.
There are signs that Worth County is arresting the long-term decline in population. Commissioner Reggie Nonneman, who was at the gathering, said that Worth County was signing up for three times as many new 911 addresses as Gentry County is and that 20 new homes had been built between Grant City and Allendale just in recent years. He said the biggest drawback the county has is the lack of employers with more than two employees.
One way to move forward that Senator Blunt and State Representative Andrews have been working on is broadband. Two weeks ago, Senator Blunt came to Jefferson City and addressed the legislature about the need to move forward with broadband. “Access is just as important as telephone access was 50 years ago,” said Senator Blunt. He noted that nearly every county in the area, with the exception of a few near the Missouri River, has declined in population since 1930. He said that with the economy showing continued signs of strength, such as the 3.6% unemployment rate and 3% growth rate, wages were finally going up and there was a big opportunity to refocus on small communities.
Senator Blunt said that he had learned about the new facility in Grant City during a visit to Northwest Medical Center in January and wanted to learn more about it. He said that one of the biggest hindrances to hospitals was the Affordable Care Act, which he said wrongly assumed that everyone would have the ability to pay, which didn’t happen. That led to a lot of unpaid bills thanks to the high deductibles in the current ACA plans. “We’ve had to work hard to ensure that critical access hospitals are still available,” said Blunt. He said he wanted to invest in behavioral health, funding for health research, and personalized healthcare, which he said has already helped a lot with cancer treatment. “The biggest thing the feds need to understand is the value of critical access,” said Senator Blunt.
North Nodaway School Board Reorganizes, Rehires Staff
North Nodaway’s school board reorganized and rehired its teachers, coaches, and extra duty staff for the 2019-2020 school year.
During its March meeting, the board accepted Jeff Lyle’s mowing bid in regular session.
During closed session, the board voted to rehire the following teachers and staff for the 2019-2020 school year: Sarah Emery, Katherine Hansen, Kaela Howard, Sami Jackson, Cassie Runde, Tana Wymer, Amanda Wonderly, Kit Meiners, Sam Riley, Gannon Albrecht, Elena Bellamy, Lindsi Jackson, Roger Johnson, Michael Trautz, and Gretchen Wehmeyer. All votes were unanimous.
The board also voted to increase the non-certified base by 15 cents for the 2019-2020 school year. The board also voted to increase the teacher base by $300, and raise the Middle/High School Principal, Elementary, and Superintendent’s contracts by 1.62% for the upcoming school year. All votes were unanimous.
For the April board meeting, members Jerime Bix and Kane Oberhauser were reelected by the voters and were sworn in. Bix was named Board President and Jason Thompson Vice-President.
During the regular board meeting in April, the board voted to raise adult lunch prices to $3.55. Second entree lunch prices were raised to $1.50 and sides to 75 cents. The board voted to continue the sports cooperative with West Nodaway for junior high and high school football, junior high and high school track, junior high and high school football cheerleading, and high school cross country.
The board also voted to approve a bid from Nodaway Contracting to do cement work on the driveway at the high school.
During the closed session in April, the board voted on extra duty assignments for the 2019-2020 school year as well as a Special Education Coordinator. Board members Samantha Brown and Vicki Riley were absent from the meeting.
Named as Special Education Coordinator was Ashley Marriott. The following extra duty assignments were named: Ashley Proffitt (Junior High Volleyball, Assistant Head Volleyball), Catherine Auffert (Middle/High School Student Council, National Honor Society), Elena Bellamy (Academic Team, Senior Class Sponsor), Emily Frueh (Yearbook, School Paper, FBLA, Junior Class Sponsor), Gannon Albrecht (Middle/High School Student Council Co-Sponsor), Jake Shipman (Head Boys Basketball, Baseball, Athletic Director), Kit Meiners (District Test Coordinator), Leah Koger (4th/5th Grade Math Team), Lindsi Jackson (Head Girls Volleyball, Assistant Girls Basketball, Head Girls Track), Michael Trautz (Assistant Football, Assistant Boys Basketball, Junior High Track, Junior Class Sponsor), Nina Dewhurst (High School Play), Rebecca Ferris (Elementary Student Council), Roger Johnson (Junior High Boys Basketball), Sam Riley (Instrumental Music Activities, Vocal Music Activities, Junior Class Sponsor), Sami Jackson (High School Girls Basketball, Junior High Girls Basketball), Shelley Combs (High School Basketball Cheer), Stacey Meyer (Senior Class Sponsor), Tim Conn (Senior Class Sponsor), Tony Christian (Head Football, Assistant Baseball, Weightlifting), Troy Nally (FFA Sponsor, Junior Class Sponsor), Victor West (Senior Class Sponsor), Bill Clay (Cross-Country Coach), Alan Calfee (Junior High Track Coach, Junior High Football Coach), Kyla Wallinga (Junior High Football Coach), Bailey Schmidt (High School Football Cheer Coach), and Melissa Cook (Assistant Football Cheer Coach). All votes were unanimous.
During its March meeting, the board accepted Jeff Lyle’s mowing bid in regular session.
During closed session, the board voted to rehire the following teachers and staff for the 2019-2020 school year: Sarah Emery, Katherine Hansen, Kaela Howard, Sami Jackson, Cassie Runde, Tana Wymer, Amanda Wonderly, Kit Meiners, Sam Riley, Gannon Albrecht, Elena Bellamy, Lindsi Jackson, Roger Johnson, Michael Trautz, and Gretchen Wehmeyer. All votes were unanimous.
The board also voted to increase the non-certified base by 15 cents for the 2019-2020 school year. The board also voted to increase the teacher base by $300, and raise the Middle/High School Principal, Elementary, and Superintendent’s contracts by 1.62% for the upcoming school year. All votes were unanimous.
For the April board meeting, members Jerime Bix and Kane Oberhauser were reelected by the voters and were sworn in. Bix was named Board President and Jason Thompson Vice-President.
During the regular board meeting in April, the board voted to raise adult lunch prices to $3.55. Second entree lunch prices were raised to $1.50 and sides to 75 cents. The board voted to continue the sports cooperative with West Nodaway for junior high and high school football, junior high and high school track, junior high and high school football cheerleading, and high school cross country.
The board also voted to approve a bid from Nodaway Contracting to do cement work on the driveway at the high school.
During the closed session in April, the board voted on extra duty assignments for the 2019-2020 school year as well as a Special Education Coordinator. Board members Samantha Brown and Vicki Riley were absent from the meeting.
Named as Special Education Coordinator was Ashley Marriott. The following extra duty assignments were named: Ashley Proffitt (Junior High Volleyball, Assistant Head Volleyball), Catherine Auffert (Middle/High School Student Council, National Honor Society), Elena Bellamy (Academic Team, Senior Class Sponsor), Emily Frueh (Yearbook, School Paper, FBLA, Junior Class Sponsor), Gannon Albrecht (Middle/High School Student Council Co-Sponsor), Jake Shipman (Head Boys Basketball, Baseball, Athletic Director), Kit Meiners (District Test Coordinator), Leah Koger (4th/5th Grade Math Team), Lindsi Jackson (Head Girls Volleyball, Assistant Girls Basketball, Head Girls Track), Michael Trautz (Assistant Football, Assistant Boys Basketball, Junior High Track, Junior Class Sponsor), Nina Dewhurst (High School Play), Rebecca Ferris (Elementary Student Council), Roger Johnson (Junior High Boys Basketball), Sam Riley (Instrumental Music Activities, Vocal Music Activities, Junior Class Sponsor), Sami Jackson (High School Girls Basketball, Junior High Girls Basketball), Shelley Combs (High School Basketball Cheer), Stacey Meyer (Senior Class Sponsor), Tim Conn (Senior Class Sponsor), Tony Christian (Head Football, Assistant Baseball, Weightlifting), Troy Nally (FFA Sponsor, Junior Class Sponsor), Victor West (Senior Class Sponsor), Bill Clay (Cross-Country Coach), Alan Calfee (Junior High Track Coach, Junior High Football Coach), Kyla Wallinga (Junior High Football Coach), Bailey Schmidt (High School Football Cheer Coach), and Melissa Cook (Assistant Football Cheer Coach). All votes were unanimous.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Makayla Cross Named Valedictorian, Emma Hart Salutatorian; Tyler Bix Named National Honor Society President at Awards Night
Makayla Cross was named Valedictorian and Emma Hart Salutatorian at North Nodaway Awards Night Friday. New National Honor Society members and officers were inducted as well. New officers named were Tyler Bix (President), Karson Oberhauser (Vice-President), Jordan Jenkins (Secretary), and Karissa Oberhauser (Secretary). New members inducted were Karissa Oberhauser, Karson Oberhauser, and Jordan Jenkins.
Various scholarships were awarded as well:
Joshua Bix Scholarship – Emma Hart.
Russell Allen Scholarship – Emma Hart.
North Nodaway Foundation – Kristin Herndon.
Ronald Houston Scholarship – Makayla Cross.
Rickard Trust – Cade Pankau, Emily Dew.
Chapter K PEO – Kristin Herndon.
Hopkins Community Club – Ashley Thompson, Emma Hart.
Booster Club – Ashley Thompson, Kristin Herndon.
Hopkins & Pickering Lions Club – Makayla Cross.
Pickering Lions Club – Emily Dew.
Dick Wallace Memorial – Makayla Cross, Emma Hart.
Nodaway County Cattlemen’s Association – Kristin Herndon.
Missouri Business Women of Maryville – Emma Hart, Cheyenne Murphy.
Maryville Host Lions Club – Cheyenne Murphy.
MFA Foundation – Emma Hart.
North Nodaway CTA – Emma Hart.
Mustang Memorial – Emily Dew.
Nodaway Education Foundation – Emma Hart.
Nucor Scholarship – Kristin Herndon.
The following non-local scholarships were also awarded to North Nodaway students:
Makayla Cross – Peru Athletic Scholarship, Peru Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Emily Dew – Northwest Missouri State Ron Houston Scholarship, Northwest Missouri State A+ Scholarship, NEBS 4-year Scholarship, W.R. Hotchkiss Foundation Scholarship.
Emma Hart – TruMerit Scholarship, Truman A+ Recognition Scholarship, Live Learn & Lead Scholarship.
Kristin Herndon – Knox College Founder’s Scholarship, Knox College Trustees Distinguished Scholarship.
Cheyenne Murphy – Northwest Missouri State Ron Houston Scholarship, Northwest Tower Scholarship, Northwest A+ Scholarship.
Kade Pankau – Northwest Tower Scholarship.
Ashley Thompson – Northwest Merit Scholarship.
The following North Nodaway FBLA District Awards were recognized:
2nd Place Business Law – Tyler Bix.
3rd Place Public Service Announcement Presentation/Video – Makayla Cross and Emily Dew.
3rd Place Job Interview – Emma Hart.
4th Place Agribusiness – Tyler Bix; also 10th at State.
4th Place Accounting II – Cheyenne Murphy.
5th Place Digital Video Production – Cheyenne Murphy and Jadon Dobbins.
5th Place Cybersecurity – Kristin Herndon.
State Wildcards – Emma Hart (Accounting), Kristin Herndon (Networking Concepts).
Various scholarships were awarded as well:
Joshua Bix Scholarship – Emma Hart.
Russell Allen Scholarship – Emma Hart.
North Nodaway Foundation – Kristin Herndon.
Ronald Houston Scholarship – Makayla Cross.
Rickard Trust – Cade Pankau, Emily Dew.
Chapter K PEO – Kristin Herndon.
Hopkins Community Club – Ashley Thompson, Emma Hart.
Booster Club – Ashley Thompson, Kristin Herndon.
Hopkins & Pickering Lions Club – Makayla Cross.
Pickering Lions Club – Emily Dew.
Dick Wallace Memorial – Makayla Cross, Emma Hart.
Nodaway County Cattlemen’s Association – Kristin Herndon.
Missouri Business Women of Maryville – Emma Hart, Cheyenne Murphy.
Maryville Host Lions Club – Cheyenne Murphy.
MFA Foundation – Emma Hart.
North Nodaway CTA – Emma Hart.
Mustang Memorial – Emily Dew.
Nodaway Education Foundation – Emma Hart.
Nucor Scholarship – Kristin Herndon.
The following non-local scholarships were also awarded to North Nodaway students:
Makayla Cross – Peru Athletic Scholarship, Peru Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Emily Dew – Northwest Missouri State Ron Houston Scholarship, Northwest Missouri State A+ Scholarship, NEBS 4-year Scholarship, W.R. Hotchkiss Foundation Scholarship.
Emma Hart – TruMerit Scholarship, Truman A+ Recognition Scholarship, Live Learn & Lead Scholarship.
Kristin Herndon – Knox College Founder’s Scholarship, Knox College Trustees Distinguished Scholarship.
Cheyenne Murphy – Northwest Missouri State Ron Houston Scholarship, Northwest Tower Scholarship, Northwest A+ Scholarship.
Kade Pankau – Northwest Tower Scholarship.
Ashley Thompson – Northwest Merit Scholarship.
The following North Nodaway FBLA District Awards were recognized:
2nd Place Business Law – Tyler Bix.
3rd Place Public Service Announcement Presentation/Video – Makayla Cross and Emily Dew.
3rd Place Job Interview – Emma Hart.
4th Place Agribusiness – Tyler Bix; also 10th at State.
4th Place Accounting II – Cheyenne Murphy.
5th Place Digital Video Production – Cheyenne Murphy and Jadon Dobbins.
5th Place Cybersecurity – Kristin Herndon.
State Wildcards – Emma Hart (Accounting), Kristin Herndon (Networking Concepts).
Merrideth Spiers Named Worth County FFA President for 2019-2020
Merrideth Spiers was named Worth County FFA President for the 2019-2020 School Year. She will take over for Haley Hunt. Other officers for next year will be Tate Welch (1st Vice-President), Keelin Engel (2nd Vice-President), Megan Cassavaugh (Secretary), Jill Hardy (Treasurer), EmiLee Brown (Reporter), Braidy Hunt (Sentinel), Anna Spainhower (Historian), and Wyatt Abplanalp (Chaplain).
Justina Wimer received a “Gold” rating in Districts for making it to the final round of the Creed Speaking contest. Trent Gabriel was recognized for making it to the National FFA Chorus. He got to shake President Donald Trump’s hand twice while he was there. Keelin Engel was recognized for making it to the State FFA Chorus, where she performed at State FFA this year.
Top fundraising members for this year were Tate Welch (1st), Jill Hardy (2nd), and Megan Cassavaugh (3rd). Jared Simmons presented a plaque to Tate Welch.
The FFA Chapter Scholarship Award went to Haley Hunt. Getting Scholarship medals were Justina Wimer (freshman), Tate Welch (sophomore), Merrideth Spiers (junior), and Jacob New (senior). The Chapter Leadership Awards this year went to Justina Wimer, Tate Welch, Jill Hardy, Merrideth Spiers, and Haley Hunt.
FFA Greenhand Degrees went to Bobby Baker, Grant Cameron, Cooper Chapman, Jace Cousatte, James Gladstone, Cassie Johnson, Callie Mancuso, Molly Miller, Caden Moyer, Alex Rinehart, Marshall Ruckman, Lucas Wake, Justina Wimer, Aydan Gladstone, Lincoln Moore, and Jackson Runde. Star Greenhand Award went to Justina Wimer.
Chapter FFA Degrees went to Wyatt Abplanalp, Nate Adwell, Addison Blankenship, EmiLee Brown, Megan Cassavaugh, Keelin Engel, Reid Gabriel, Jill Hardy, Braidy Hunt, Chance Jacobs, Allison Larison, Anna Spainhower, Tate Welch, and Maddie Taute. Star Chapter Farmer went to Keelin Engel and Tate Welch. Star Chapter Placement went to Merrideth Spiers. Star Chapter Agri-Business went to Haley Hunt.
FFA Proficiency Awards for mastering various subjects went to Merrideth Spiers, Caleb Parman, Daniel Craven, Isaac Alarcon, Ethan Thomas, Jeremy Wimer, Anna Gladstone, Sheila Harker, John Mancuso, Haley Hunt, Drevin Brown, Aydan Gladstone, Jacob New, Kristin New, EmiLee Brown, Bryant McCord, Anna Spainhower, Molly Miller, Trent Gabriel, Aaron Farrell, Braidy Hunt, Jill Hardy, Megan Cassavaugh, Jenna Smith, Nate Adwell, Wyatt Abplanalp, Keelin Engel, Addison Blankenship, Allison Larison, and Chance Jacobs.
Hugh Ross of BTC Bank and the Worth County Farm Bureau presented scholarship awards. Megan Cassavaugh got the BTC Bank Scholarship. Haley Hunt and Jeremy Wimer got the Worth County Farm Bureau Scholarships.
Two Worth County FFA members were recognized for getting a State FFA Degree, which goes to the top 3% of statewide FFA members. They were Haley Hunt and Jeremy Wimer. They were also recognized at the State FFA Convention. Three Worth County members got their American FFA Degree, which is the highest honor that the FFA can award. They were Victoria Moore, Brianna Harker, and Jacob Wimer.
The various Worth County FFA teams were recognized. The Horses team consisted of Allison Larison, Braidy Hunt, Megan Cassavaugh, and Tate Welch. They were second at Lathrop, and Tate Welch was second individual. They were second at Savannah; Tate Welch was second individual and Megan Cassavaugh was third. They won North Central Missouri College; Tate Welch was first, Megan Cassavaugh fifth, and Braidy Hunt eighth. They were third in districts; Megan Cassavaugh was fourth, Tate Welch nine, and Braidy Hunt and Allison Larison tied for 15th. They were 15th at state and Tate Welch was ninth overall. Tate Welch was high individual.
The Dairy Cattle team consisted of Jill Hardy, EmiLee Brown, Jeremy Wimer, and Keelin Engel. They were fourth at Lathrop, and Keelin Engel was ninth and Jeremy Wimer 20th. EmiLee Brown was the top individual at Savannah. They were third at districts; Keelin Engel was 10th, Jill Hardy 13th, and EmiLee Brown 18th. They received a Division II rating at State. EmiLee Brown was high individual.
The Meats team consisted of Merrideth Spiers, Wyatt Abplanalp, Justina Wimer, and Haley Hunt. They were ninth at Lathrop, with Merrideth Spiers second overall. They were 10th at North Central Missouri College, with Merrideth Spiers 14th. They were sixth in districts, with Merrideth Spiers 13th and Justina Wimer 14th. They received a Group II rating at state. Merrideth Spiers was high individual.
The Livestock team consisted of Kristin New, Anna Gladstone, Sheila Harker, and Lucas Wake. They were 14th at Lathrop and 12th at Savannah. They were fourth at North Central Missouri College, with Kristin New 11th and Anna Gladstone 14th. They were eighth at districts, with Anna Gladstone 17th overall. They received a Group II rating at state, with Kristin New getting 21st overall. Kristin New was high individual.
The Soils team consisted of Addison Blankenship, Nate Adwell, Maddie Taute, and Anna Spainhower, They were 14th at Savannah, 17th at North Central Missouri College, and 14th at districts. Addison Blankenship was high individual.
The Poultry team consisted of Marshall Ruckman, Grant Cameron, and James Gladstone, They were 24th at Savannah and 19th at districts. James Gladstone was high individual.
The Farm Management team consisted of Lincoln Moore, Aydan Gladstone, and Molly Miller. They were 18th at districts. Aydan Gladstone was high individual.
The Grasslands Evaluation team, which competed in the fall, consisted of Merrideth Spiers, Haley Hunt, Tate Welch, and Keelin Engel. They were fifth at districts. Keelin Engel was 10th, Tate Welch 11th, and Merrideth Spiers 13th. Keelin Engel was high individual.
The FFA Knowledge team consisted of Lincoln Moore, Aydan Gladstone, Justina Wimer, and Molly Miller. They were 24th at districts. Justina Wimer was high individual.
The Blue & Gold Award went to Jeannie Fletcher. Honorary membership was awarded to Wyatt Criddlebaugh, who student taught under the direction of FFA instructor Josh Smith. The Arthur Knight Scholarship Award, Bev Pickering Scholarship, and Ted Foland Scholarship all went to Haley Hunt.
Justina Wimer received a “Gold” rating in Districts for making it to the final round of the Creed Speaking contest. Trent Gabriel was recognized for making it to the National FFA Chorus. He got to shake President Donald Trump’s hand twice while he was there. Keelin Engel was recognized for making it to the State FFA Chorus, where she performed at State FFA this year.
Top fundraising members for this year were Tate Welch (1st), Jill Hardy (2nd), and Megan Cassavaugh (3rd). Jared Simmons presented a plaque to Tate Welch.
The FFA Chapter Scholarship Award went to Haley Hunt. Getting Scholarship medals were Justina Wimer (freshman), Tate Welch (sophomore), Merrideth Spiers (junior), and Jacob New (senior). The Chapter Leadership Awards this year went to Justina Wimer, Tate Welch, Jill Hardy, Merrideth Spiers, and Haley Hunt.
FFA Greenhand Degrees went to Bobby Baker, Grant Cameron, Cooper Chapman, Jace Cousatte, James Gladstone, Cassie Johnson, Callie Mancuso, Molly Miller, Caden Moyer, Alex Rinehart, Marshall Ruckman, Lucas Wake, Justina Wimer, Aydan Gladstone, Lincoln Moore, and Jackson Runde. Star Greenhand Award went to Justina Wimer.
Chapter FFA Degrees went to Wyatt Abplanalp, Nate Adwell, Addison Blankenship, EmiLee Brown, Megan Cassavaugh, Keelin Engel, Reid Gabriel, Jill Hardy, Braidy Hunt, Chance Jacobs, Allison Larison, Anna Spainhower, Tate Welch, and Maddie Taute. Star Chapter Farmer went to Keelin Engel and Tate Welch. Star Chapter Placement went to Merrideth Spiers. Star Chapter Agri-Business went to Haley Hunt.
FFA Proficiency Awards for mastering various subjects went to Merrideth Spiers, Caleb Parman, Daniel Craven, Isaac Alarcon, Ethan Thomas, Jeremy Wimer, Anna Gladstone, Sheila Harker, John Mancuso, Haley Hunt, Drevin Brown, Aydan Gladstone, Jacob New, Kristin New, EmiLee Brown, Bryant McCord, Anna Spainhower, Molly Miller, Trent Gabriel, Aaron Farrell, Braidy Hunt, Jill Hardy, Megan Cassavaugh, Jenna Smith, Nate Adwell, Wyatt Abplanalp, Keelin Engel, Addison Blankenship, Allison Larison, and Chance Jacobs.
Hugh Ross of BTC Bank and the Worth County Farm Bureau presented scholarship awards. Megan Cassavaugh got the BTC Bank Scholarship. Haley Hunt and Jeremy Wimer got the Worth County Farm Bureau Scholarships.
Two Worth County FFA members were recognized for getting a State FFA Degree, which goes to the top 3% of statewide FFA members. They were Haley Hunt and Jeremy Wimer. They were also recognized at the State FFA Convention. Three Worth County members got their American FFA Degree, which is the highest honor that the FFA can award. They were Victoria Moore, Brianna Harker, and Jacob Wimer.
The various Worth County FFA teams were recognized. The Horses team consisted of Allison Larison, Braidy Hunt, Megan Cassavaugh, and Tate Welch. They were second at Lathrop, and Tate Welch was second individual. They were second at Savannah; Tate Welch was second individual and Megan Cassavaugh was third. They won North Central Missouri College; Tate Welch was first, Megan Cassavaugh fifth, and Braidy Hunt eighth. They were third in districts; Megan Cassavaugh was fourth, Tate Welch nine, and Braidy Hunt and Allison Larison tied for 15th. They were 15th at state and Tate Welch was ninth overall. Tate Welch was high individual.
The Dairy Cattle team consisted of Jill Hardy, EmiLee Brown, Jeremy Wimer, and Keelin Engel. They were fourth at Lathrop, and Keelin Engel was ninth and Jeremy Wimer 20th. EmiLee Brown was the top individual at Savannah. They were third at districts; Keelin Engel was 10th, Jill Hardy 13th, and EmiLee Brown 18th. They received a Division II rating at State. EmiLee Brown was high individual.
The Meats team consisted of Merrideth Spiers, Wyatt Abplanalp, Justina Wimer, and Haley Hunt. They were ninth at Lathrop, with Merrideth Spiers second overall. They were 10th at North Central Missouri College, with Merrideth Spiers 14th. They were sixth in districts, with Merrideth Spiers 13th and Justina Wimer 14th. They received a Group II rating at state. Merrideth Spiers was high individual.
The Livestock team consisted of Kristin New, Anna Gladstone, Sheila Harker, and Lucas Wake. They were 14th at Lathrop and 12th at Savannah. They were fourth at North Central Missouri College, with Kristin New 11th and Anna Gladstone 14th. They were eighth at districts, with Anna Gladstone 17th overall. They received a Group II rating at state, with Kristin New getting 21st overall. Kristin New was high individual.
The Soils team consisted of Addison Blankenship, Nate Adwell, Maddie Taute, and Anna Spainhower, They were 14th at Savannah, 17th at North Central Missouri College, and 14th at districts. Addison Blankenship was high individual.
The Poultry team consisted of Marshall Ruckman, Grant Cameron, and James Gladstone, They were 24th at Savannah and 19th at districts. James Gladstone was high individual.
The Farm Management team consisted of Lincoln Moore, Aydan Gladstone, and Molly Miller. They were 18th at districts. Aydan Gladstone was high individual.
The Grasslands Evaluation team, which competed in the fall, consisted of Merrideth Spiers, Haley Hunt, Tate Welch, and Keelin Engel. They were fifth at districts. Keelin Engel was 10th, Tate Welch 11th, and Merrideth Spiers 13th. Keelin Engel was high individual.
The FFA Knowledge team consisted of Lincoln Moore, Aydan Gladstone, Justina Wimer, and Molly Miller. They were 24th at districts. Justina Wimer was high individual.
The Blue & Gold Award went to Jeannie Fletcher. Honorary membership was awarded to Wyatt Criddlebaugh, who student taught under the direction of FFA instructor Josh Smith. The Arthur Knight Scholarship Award, Bev Pickering Scholarship, and Ted Foland Scholarship all went to Haley Hunt.
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Tiger Teams Second at GRC Meet; Bryant McCord Secures Four Firsts, Adwell Breaks School Record in Pole Vault
Worth County’s track teams were second at the GRC Meet in Bethany Monday. On the girls side, the Tigers finally got past St. Joseph Christian, but Trenton ran away with the meet. On the boys side, the Tigers were edged out by Princeton.
For the girls, Trenton had 153 points, Worth County 102, St. Joseph Christian 92, Putnam County 58, Stanberry 53, Maysville 43, Princeton 40, Polo 35, Gallatin 31, Albany 27, Braymer 26, South Harrison 25, Milan 18, North Andrew 14, Pattonsburg 11, and King City 7.
For the boys, Princeton had 113 points, Worth County 107, Trenton 74, Pattonsburg 61, Stanberry 54, Putnam County 50, Gallatin 50, Milan 46, Braymer 41, South Harrison 38, Polo 35.5, King City 22, Albany 20, Maysville 18.5, North Andrew 7, and St. Joseph Christian 1.
The Tigers were 1-2 in the 100 Hurdles again as Anna Gladstone won handily and Aivry Griffin keeps getting better with each meet. Gladstone won with a time of 16.72, and Griffin had a time of 17.87. Gladstone was third in a loaded 300 Hurdle event, getting a time of 49.28.
The 4x100 team of Keelin Engel, Regan Allee, Jessi Badell, and Liz Lyle was fourth with a time of 55.69, as they shaved .04 of a second off their time. The 4x400 team of Regan Allee, Jessi Badell, Braidy Hunt, and Liz Lyle was fourth with a time of 4:38.12. The 4x800 team of Braidy Hunt, Kristin New, Jill Hardy, and Megan Cassavaugh was fourth with a time of 11:08.52.
Anna Gladstone was third in the High Jump with a jump of 5 feet. Liz Lyle was sixth with a height of 4’10”. Regan Allee matched a personal best in the Pole Vault with a second place vault of 9’6”. Keelin Engel was third with a vault of 9 feet. Anna Gladstone won the Long Jump with a jump of 16’6½”. Liz Lyle was fourth in the Triple Jump with a jump of 30’9½”. Jill Hardy was sixth with a jump of 28’11”.
Merrideth Spiers was second in the Shot Put with a throw of 36’5”. Spiers won the Shot Put with a season best of 130’1”. That was a conference record.
On the boys side, Andrew Alarcon was third in the 100 with a time of 11.72. Jaxon Anderson was sixth with a time of 12.13. Bryant McCord won the 110 Hurdles with a time of 15.66. Aydan Gladstone was sixth with a time of 18.37. McCord won the 300 Hurdles and got a personal best, knocking three seconds off his time and getting a winning time of 42.42. Jace Cousatte was fourth with a time of 45.79, also a personal best.
The 4x100 team of Jaxon Anderson, Caleb Parman, Andrew Alarcon, and Bryant McCord continued its winning ways as they won with a time of 45.84. The 4x200 team of Bryant McCord, Caleb Parman, Jaxon Anderson, and Andrew Alarcon also won, getting a personal best time of 1:34.49, almost a second off their previous best.
McCord got wins in the 110 and 300 Hurdles, along with being on the winning 4x100 and 4x200 Relay teams. Apparently, his new hairdo has brought him good luck.
The 4x400 team of Andrew Alarcon, Nate Adwell, Alex Rinehart, and Aydan Gladstone was fourth with a time of 3:49.70. The 4x800 team of Josh Freed, Jace Cousatte, Jackson Runde, and Timothy Richardson was fifth with a time of 10:10.38.
Nate Adwell secured another personal best in the Pole Vault. He won with a vault of 14 feet, which was also a school record and a conference record. The previous mark was 13’3”, held by Zach Allee. Aydan Gladstone was sixth with a vault of 10 feet. Caleb Parman was third in the Long Jump with a jump of 19’6”. Parman was also third in the Triple Jump, with a jump of 38’8”. Jaxon Anderson was sixth with a jump of 38’4”.
Isaac Alarcon got a personal best in the Discus, getting a throw of 117’11”. Jacob New was second in the Javelin with a throw of 149’1”. Alex Rinehart was sixth with a throw of 132’2”.
For the girls, Trenton had 153 points, Worth County 102, St. Joseph Christian 92, Putnam County 58, Stanberry 53, Maysville 43, Princeton 40, Polo 35, Gallatin 31, Albany 27, Braymer 26, South Harrison 25, Milan 18, North Andrew 14, Pattonsburg 11, and King City 7.
For the boys, Princeton had 113 points, Worth County 107, Trenton 74, Pattonsburg 61, Stanberry 54, Putnam County 50, Gallatin 50, Milan 46, Braymer 41, South Harrison 38, Polo 35.5, King City 22, Albany 20, Maysville 18.5, North Andrew 7, and St. Joseph Christian 1.
The Tigers were 1-2 in the 100 Hurdles again as Anna Gladstone won handily and Aivry Griffin keeps getting better with each meet. Gladstone won with a time of 16.72, and Griffin had a time of 17.87. Gladstone was third in a loaded 300 Hurdle event, getting a time of 49.28.
The 4x100 team of Keelin Engel, Regan Allee, Jessi Badell, and Liz Lyle was fourth with a time of 55.69, as they shaved .04 of a second off their time. The 4x400 team of Regan Allee, Jessi Badell, Braidy Hunt, and Liz Lyle was fourth with a time of 4:38.12. The 4x800 team of Braidy Hunt, Kristin New, Jill Hardy, and Megan Cassavaugh was fourth with a time of 11:08.52.
Anna Gladstone was third in the High Jump with a jump of 5 feet. Liz Lyle was sixth with a height of 4’10”. Regan Allee matched a personal best in the Pole Vault with a second place vault of 9’6”. Keelin Engel was third with a vault of 9 feet. Anna Gladstone won the Long Jump with a jump of 16’6½”. Liz Lyle was fourth in the Triple Jump with a jump of 30’9½”. Jill Hardy was sixth with a jump of 28’11”.
Merrideth Spiers was second in the Shot Put with a throw of 36’5”. Spiers won the Shot Put with a season best of 130’1”. That was a conference record.
On the boys side, Andrew Alarcon was third in the 100 with a time of 11.72. Jaxon Anderson was sixth with a time of 12.13. Bryant McCord won the 110 Hurdles with a time of 15.66. Aydan Gladstone was sixth with a time of 18.37. McCord won the 300 Hurdles and got a personal best, knocking three seconds off his time and getting a winning time of 42.42. Jace Cousatte was fourth with a time of 45.79, also a personal best.
The 4x100 team of Jaxon Anderson, Caleb Parman, Andrew Alarcon, and Bryant McCord continued its winning ways as they won with a time of 45.84. The 4x200 team of Bryant McCord, Caleb Parman, Jaxon Anderson, and Andrew Alarcon also won, getting a personal best time of 1:34.49, almost a second off their previous best.
McCord got wins in the 110 and 300 Hurdles, along with being on the winning 4x100 and 4x200 Relay teams. Apparently, his new hairdo has brought him good luck.
The 4x400 team of Andrew Alarcon, Nate Adwell, Alex Rinehart, and Aydan Gladstone was fourth with a time of 3:49.70. The 4x800 team of Josh Freed, Jace Cousatte, Jackson Runde, and Timothy Richardson was fifth with a time of 10:10.38.
Nate Adwell secured another personal best in the Pole Vault. He won with a vault of 14 feet, which was also a school record and a conference record. The previous mark was 13’3”, held by Zach Allee. Aydan Gladstone was sixth with a vault of 10 feet. Caleb Parman was third in the Long Jump with a jump of 19’6”. Parman was also third in the Triple Jump, with a jump of 38’8”. Jaxon Anderson was sixth with a jump of 38’4”.
Isaac Alarcon got a personal best in the Discus, getting a throw of 117’11”. Jacob New was second in the Javelin with a throw of 149’1”. Alex Rinehart was sixth with a throw of 132’2”.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Shorthanded Shamrocks Back on Winning Track; Logan Huitt Tosses Win, Shamrocks Turn Triple Play, Steven Willhite Hits a Home Run
North Harrison got a triple play, Logan Huitt got a win, and the Shamrocks got back on the winning track Wednesday night with a 10-3 win over Tri-County. The Mustangs, cooping with Gallatin this year, won their first two games, and have not won a game on the field since, getting only a forfeit win. But with the Shamrocks reeling after a pair of losses that were tough to swallow, a 16-1 drubbing by Savannah and a 5-4 heartbreaker to Platte Valley, the Mustangs looked like a completely different team, making enough defensive plays to stay in the game. The players all knew each other; for instance, one of their players ran over and lifted up Logan Huitt after one play; the rivalry aspect meant the recordbook didn’t really matter.
The Shamrocks were shorthanded, playing without Brett Emig (flu), and they had to play some people out of position. Steven Willhite came in to play center, Tyler Lundy played right, and Matthew Heintz went behind the plate to catch. Just like Northeast Nodaway against East Atchison when they played without Spencer Weir, the Shamrocks were not the same team without Emig. But they made enough plays in the field to get the win.
It threatened to be a long night after the first inning. Ross Critten walked and Brendy Vandiver sent leftfielder Lane Huitt to the warning track. Morgan McBroom forced Critten at second, only for Gage Wright to hit one just beyond the reach of centerfielder Steven Willhite to put Tri-County up 2-0.
Tri-County tried to steal this one; they sent out Gage Wright, an unorthodox thrower, to start. Wright started with his right hand behind his left ear and slung it in, which kept some batters off balance. He struck out Grant Claycomb to start the game. But then Logan Huitt hit a double to left center that sliced away from the center fielder and Logan Craig singled him over to third. Lane Huitt walked to load the bases and Wade Briggs reached on an error as shortstop Brendy Vandiver bobbled a grounder as North Harrison got one back. Brandon Hamilton was up next, and he caught hold of one and hit a line drive that sliced away from everyone in right center for a two run double that put North Harrison up 3-2. Cruz Ury grounded out to score Wade Briggs, and then Hamilton came home on a close play on a wild pitch to make it 5-2 after one.
Logan Huitt then settled down, getting better and better as the game progressed. He retired the Mustangs in order, and then Matthew Heintz bunted a popup in the air that dropped in just before Wright could get to it for a base hit. Grant Claycomb walked and Logan Huitt, who bats lefthanded, sliced an opposite field double away from everybody in left center to score one. Logan Craig fought back from 0-2, fouled off three pitches, and walked to load the bases. Lane Huitt struck out looking, but Wade Briggs’ pop fly dropped in just before centerfielder Drayton Harris could get to it and two runs scored. That made it 8-2.
From there, North Harrison had baserunners galore, but Tri-County kept making strong defensive plays in the field to keep them off the board again until the sixth. But Logan Huitt kept throwing strikes and getting stronger as the game progressed. Third baseman Brandon Hamilton made several outstanding grabs, first baseman Logan Craig was catching everything throw in his general area and saving his teammates a ton of throwing errors, and Lane Huitt and Steven Willhite were making catches in the field.
Tri-County threatened to have a big inning in the fourth to get right back in the game. Gage Wright, who had already homered to start the game, turned on an inside pitch from Logan Huitt and hit a screamer down the left field line into the corner for a double to lead off. He took third on a wild pitch and Nathan Baker walked. But then Drayton Harris missed a steal sign as Baker took off on a first and third play and Harris blooped a pop fly into shallow left field. Lane Huitt came in on the dead run, made the grab, and doubled Baker off first. Wright took off for home on the throw to first and Logan Craig’s relay to Matthew Heintz nailed Wright as the Shamrocks completed the triple play.
Once again, North Harrison couldn’t score in the fourth as they loaded the bases with one out, only for Matthew Heintz to ground into a force at home and Grant Claycomb to ground out to third. Tri-County got a run back in the fifth when Taton Terry singled with one out and Tham Tomlinson walked. Terry took third on a wild pitch, and then Tomlinson took off for second. North Harrison elected to throw down on the first and third situation, but Tomlinson was safe at second and Terry came home on the play to make it 8-3. The top of the order was coming up for Tri-County, but Logan Huitt froze Critten on a 3-2 pitch and Vandiver grounded out to Hamilton at third to end the inning.
Logan Huitt got hit to lead off the fifth, stole second, and took third on Logan Craig’s long fly ball to center with one out. But then Lane Huitt hit a grounder back to Vandiver, now pitching, and Logan Huitt was picked off third and thrown out in a rundown.
North Harrison finally added to its lead in the sixth with one out as Cruz Ury narrowly missed a home run and doubled off the wall in left. Then, Steven Willhite hit a screamer to the opposite field that carried and cleared the right field fence, landing at the base of the big tree beyond right field. Cruz could not believe the ball had left the yard and stopped at one point before he realized what had happened. That made it 10-3. The Shamrocks loaded the bases with one out, but ran their way out of some more runs as Logan Craig popped out and then Vandiver picked Matthew Heintz off third to end the inning.
Wade Briggs tried to pitch the seventh, but his arm was sore and in obvious pain as he walked the first batter on four pitches. Logan Huitt, who had moved to second, came back on to pitch, got down in the count 2-0 to Taton Terry, and then saved his best stuff for last, recovering to strike him out with a big breaking ball. He struck out Tham Tomlinson with another breaking ball and then blew one by Ross Critten to end the game.
The Shamrocks were shorthanded, playing without Brett Emig (flu), and they had to play some people out of position. Steven Willhite came in to play center, Tyler Lundy played right, and Matthew Heintz went behind the plate to catch. Just like Northeast Nodaway against East Atchison when they played without Spencer Weir, the Shamrocks were not the same team without Emig. But they made enough plays in the field to get the win.
It threatened to be a long night after the first inning. Ross Critten walked and Brendy Vandiver sent leftfielder Lane Huitt to the warning track. Morgan McBroom forced Critten at second, only for Gage Wright to hit one just beyond the reach of centerfielder Steven Willhite to put Tri-County up 2-0.
Tri-County tried to steal this one; they sent out Gage Wright, an unorthodox thrower, to start. Wright started with his right hand behind his left ear and slung it in, which kept some batters off balance. He struck out Grant Claycomb to start the game. But then Logan Huitt hit a double to left center that sliced away from the center fielder and Logan Craig singled him over to third. Lane Huitt walked to load the bases and Wade Briggs reached on an error as shortstop Brendy Vandiver bobbled a grounder as North Harrison got one back. Brandon Hamilton was up next, and he caught hold of one and hit a line drive that sliced away from everyone in right center for a two run double that put North Harrison up 3-2. Cruz Ury grounded out to score Wade Briggs, and then Hamilton came home on a close play on a wild pitch to make it 5-2 after one.
Logan Huitt then settled down, getting better and better as the game progressed. He retired the Mustangs in order, and then Matthew Heintz bunted a popup in the air that dropped in just before Wright could get to it for a base hit. Grant Claycomb walked and Logan Huitt, who bats lefthanded, sliced an opposite field double away from everybody in left center to score one. Logan Craig fought back from 0-2, fouled off three pitches, and walked to load the bases. Lane Huitt struck out looking, but Wade Briggs’ pop fly dropped in just before centerfielder Drayton Harris could get to it and two runs scored. That made it 8-2.
From there, North Harrison had baserunners galore, but Tri-County kept making strong defensive plays in the field to keep them off the board again until the sixth. But Logan Huitt kept throwing strikes and getting stronger as the game progressed. Third baseman Brandon Hamilton made several outstanding grabs, first baseman Logan Craig was catching everything throw in his general area and saving his teammates a ton of throwing errors, and Lane Huitt and Steven Willhite were making catches in the field.
Tri-County threatened to have a big inning in the fourth to get right back in the game. Gage Wright, who had already homered to start the game, turned on an inside pitch from Logan Huitt and hit a screamer down the left field line into the corner for a double to lead off. He took third on a wild pitch and Nathan Baker walked. But then Drayton Harris missed a steal sign as Baker took off on a first and third play and Harris blooped a pop fly into shallow left field. Lane Huitt came in on the dead run, made the grab, and doubled Baker off first. Wright took off for home on the throw to first and Logan Craig’s relay to Matthew Heintz nailed Wright as the Shamrocks completed the triple play.
Once again, North Harrison couldn’t score in the fourth as they loaded the bases with one out, only for Matthew Heintz to ground into a force at home and Grant Claycomb to ground out to third. Tri-County got a run back in the fifth when Taton Terry singled with one out and Tham Tomlinson walked. Terry took third on a wild pitch, and then Tomlinson took off for second. North Harrison elected to throw down on the first and third situation, but Tomlinson was safe at second and Terry came home on the play to make it 8-3. The top of the order was coming up for Tri-County, but Logan Huitt froze Critten on a 3-2 pitch and Vandiver grounded out to Hamilton at third to end the inning.
Logan Huitt got hit to lead off the fifth, stole second, and took third on Logan Craig’s long fly ball to center with one out. But then Lane Huitt hit a grounder back to Vandiver, now pitching, and Logan Huitt was picked off third and thrown out in a rundown.
North Harrison finally added to its lead in the sixth with one out as Cruz Ury narrowly missed a home run and doubled off the wall in left. Then, Steven Willhite hit a screamer to the opposite field that carried and cleared the right field fence, landing at the base of the big tree beyond right field. Cruz could not believe the ball had left the yard and stopped at one point before he realized what had happened. That made it 10-3. The Shamrocks loaded the bases with one out, but ran their way out of some more runs as Logan Craig popped out and then Vandiver picked Matthew Heintz off third to end the inning.
Wade Briggs tried to pitch the seventh, but his arm was sore and in obvious pain as he walked the first batter on four pitches. Logan Huitt, who had moved to second, came back on to pitch, got down in the count 2-0 to Taton Terry, and then saved his best stuff for last, recovering to strike him out with a big breaking ball. He struck out Tham Tomlinson with another breaking ball and then blew one by Ross Critten to end the game.
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