The Excelsior Springs Tigers have cemented their place in Missouri high school baseball history, securing their fourth Class 4 District 15 championship in just five seasons.
Semifinal Dominance
In the semifinal, the Tigers rolled past the Richmond Spartans 10‑0, a performance highlighted by senior Brody Querry’s two‑run homer in the opening inning and an RBI single from Cruz Lloyd that pushed the lead to 3‑0. Landon Clark and Kaelen Bedford each added sacrifice flies in the second, while Landon Marcum earned the win on the mound, scattering three hits and striking out seven.
The team compiled 13 hits, with Querry, Lloyd, Cooper Collins and Spence Gibbs each contributing multiple knocks, underscoring a balanced offensive attack that left the Spartans unable to mount a response.
Championship Thriller
The title game against Oak Grove was far tighter. The Panthers seized a 2‑0 advantage in the third inning, but the Tigers answered immediately with three runs in the bottom half, sparked by RBI singles from Gibbs, Collins and Querry. Bedford later took the win, allowing just two runs over six innings while the offense continued to press.
Bedford’s six‑inning outing, coupled with a collective 13‑hit effort, sealed a 5‑3 victory and marked the culmination of a season defined by clutch hitting and steady pitching.
Looking ahead, the Tigers are scheduled to meet the St. Joseph Benton Cardinals on Tuesday, May 26, at 5 p.m. at Missouri Western University. The winner of that contest will advance to the Class 4 quarterfinals on May 28, with the ultimate prize — a spot in the Final Four in Ozark — within reach.
If the Tigers can replicate the composure and execution that defined their district run, they will enter the next round as a formidable contender for the state title.