Nixa and Ozark enter Class 6 District 6 play with aspirations of capturing a championship.
Glendale is the District’s No. 1 seed, but Eagles coach Logan Hughes and Tigers coach Justin Sundlie both feel their team is a championship contender.
Kickapoo is the District host. Nixa is the defending District champ.
“We've got a shot,” Hughes said of the Eagles (20-14), who open versus Carthage (16-14). “We need to focus on us. If we do that, we like our chances.”
Ozark (16-17) is seeking its first District title since 2011. The Tigers open against Kickapoo (15-19) at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Chiefs have won seven of their last eight games.
Ozark beat Kickapoo 5-4 in March.
“I like our chances," Sundlie said. "Just gotta have fun and play your best ball down the stretch. The best thing about our District is lots of teams feel like they can win it all."
Nixa and Ozark feature some of the best pitchers in SWMO, with the Eagles to rely heavily on Jackson Gamble and Colin Kelley and the Tigers to count on Cooper Pumphrey and Hudson Roberts.
“Cooper and Hudson are going to keep us in games and give us a chance to win,” Sundlie said. “I think our lineup will be ready. (We) have played good teams all year and feel prepared. I'm excited to watch us play.”
One of the hottest teams in SWMO has been Clever. The Jays entered this week with a 15-game winning streak.
Jays No. 2 seed in Class 4 Disrtict 10
Clever (2-18) has been tabbed the No. 2 seed behind host Rogersville (24-6) in Class 4 District 10.
“A championship run would be awesome for our players, but we can't think about that,” Clever coach Brandon Cobb said. “All of the teams in our District are really good. We have to take it one game at a time. Our focus will be on the Mountain Grove/Reeds Spring winner, and if we are fortunate enough to win that one then our focus will move onto the next one.”
Cobb is confident his players are ready to make the jump to Class 4 ball for the first time in the post-season. The Jays have won 18 of their last 19 games.
“I think our guys are prepared for the challenge,” he said. “They know runs are hard to come by during District games, so situational hitting and playing good defense is important. The district tournament is what you prepare for all year and they are excited for the opportunity.”
