The Willard baseball team captured the Class 5 state championship on Saturday, edging St. Dominic 9‑8 in a back‑and‑forth final that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
A father‑son legacy on the diamond
Head coach Scott McGee and his son Jarrett McGee took their final bow together, marking the end of a shared journey that spanned more than a decade of early‑morning practices and late‑night games.
The contest began with an RBI single from Levi Hilton that put Willard ahead early, but St. Dominic answered with two runs in the third inning before Willard rallied with three more in the fourth, highlighted by a 2‑RBI hit from Jarrett McGee.
Pitcher Matthew Burns delivered 6.1 solid innings, earning the win, while Cade Hayter’s defensive gem in the seventh halted a St. Dominic rally that had threatened to overturn the lead.
Emotional reflections
The team’s celebration was punctuated by a long dogpile and the hoisting of the championship plaque, a moment that Scott McGee described as the culmination of the squad’s dedication and the unique bond he formed with his players.
In post‑game remarks, both father and son spoke about the special relationship they cultivated with the team and the bittersweet feeling of closing a chapter, with Jarrett noting his 2‑for‑3 performance and four RBIs as a fitting finale.
Scott McGee confirmed he will transition to an administrative role within the Republic school system next fall, while Jarrett prepares to move on from the program as a recent graduate.
The victory was covered by local sports outlet OzarksSportsZone.com, which highlighted the community’s pride in the team’s achievement.