Missouri Class 6 State Playoffs Preview
May 27, 2022
The Missouri Class 6 state playoffs begin on Saturday, May 28th, with these eight teams competing for their chance at capturing high school baseball's most coveted prize.
Learn everything about this year's field, including top performers, program history, and standout prospects, below.
LINDBERGH FLYERS
OUTLOOK
Winning is tradition for Lindbergh, as they’ve now won back-to-back district championships and have captured five such honors in the last seven seasons. Though the regular season may not have gone the way Lindbergh envisioned early this year, the Flyers battled through adversity and still ultimately found themselves fighting for a shot at the state championship. Lindbergh finished 19-15 in the Suburban Conference Yellow, yet clawed their way to this point in the tournament. They defeated Vianney early on, following that up with wins against Jackson and Seckman to pit them against conference foe Marquette in the quarterfinals.
This is an older and experienced group for Lindbergh, as 16 of their 21 players are seniors with eight of those committed to play at the next level. Their experience is certainly one of their strengths, but the three-headed monster perched atop this pitching staff has guided the Flyers to this point in the state playoffs. It starts with ‘Conference Player of the Year’ 3B/RHP Drew Politte (2022; Dyersburg State CC), who paced this team on both sides of the ball. He slashed .337/.437/.594 with six home runs and 30 RBIs, but Politte was especially dominant on the mound. Across 56 ⅓ innings of work, Politte pitched to a 6-3 record and 1.36 ERA, walking only 14 batters in that span.
Right behind him is LHP Dane Bjorn (2023; Tennessee), who certainly lived up to his acumen as one of the state’s top southpaws with his performance on the mound this spring. Bjorn punched out 83 batters in 48 ⅓ innings, posting a 1.74 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. Rounding out this high-octane trio is LHP Ethan Smith (2022; Missouri Southern), as the senior southpaw struck 70 batters out in 42 ⅓ innings and posted a 3.14 ERA in that span. Having these three weapons at their disposal makes Lindbergh a difficult opponent throughout the state playoffs.
The senior leadership and juice doesn’t stop on the mound, however, as the Flyers have a handful of 2022 grads that’ve produced at the plate this spring aside from the aforementioned Politte. C Luke Melton (2022; Eastern Illinois) anchors Lindbergh’s staff behind the plate and he doubles as one of their top bats, slashing .402/.525/.660 this spring with five home runs, 20 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. Leadoff man OF Chris Ammons (2022) operated as this team’s offensive sparkplug all spring, posting a .407/.563/.576 triple-slash while also swiping 16 bags. Nestled in the middle of this order and also playing center field is OF Zane Roos (2022; Jefferson JC), as the physical 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior boasts a highly enticing power and speed profile. Roos slashed .302/.427/.552 with four home runs and 25 RBIs across 96 at-bats for Lindbergh.
BOTTOM LINE
The Flyers have three arms capable of pitching like top-of-the-rotation options at any point in time at their disposal, and the top half of their lineup is certainly capable of doing damage. Though they struggled at times throughout the regular season, Lindbergh appears to be back and fully healthy with their eyes set on the Class 6 state title.
MARQUETTE
OUTLOOK
The Mustangs have, as a collective group, overcome a tremendous amount of challenges to achieve what they’ve achieved this spring. They’ve lost a handful of their top players throughout the season, starting with both INF Mason Breidenbach (2022; Bradley) and INF Jack Holubowski (2023; Missouri) going down in early March. They lost both C Matthew Andrews (2022) and INF Ethan Belval (2022) as the season’s progressed as well, and they’ll be without OF Josh Syfert (2022; St. Charles CC) after his injury in the district semi-final against Eureka. With all of that being said, the Mustangs have battled valiantly throughout the spring and now stand as a final team contending for the state championship.
Marquette’s deep on the mound, where the Mustangs have a handful of quality arms they’ll comfortably trot out. Anchoring this group is RHP Warner Lenahan (2023), as the 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior led Marquette in innings pitched with 53 ⅔. Lenahan pitched to a 1.83 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over that span, punching out 54 batters and walking only 18. Senior RHP Zach Thelen (2022) didn’t finish too far behind Lenahan, twirling 46 ⅓ innings to the tune of a 2.27 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 53 strikeouts. Two juniors, RHP Rusty Graves (2023) and LHP Max Cohen (2023), gave Marquette key contributions at various times throughout this season. Graves logged 33 innings and a 4-0 record, posting a 3.39 ERA. while Cohen threw 30 ⅔ innings this spring for the Mustangs.
It’s been a team effort for Marquette offensively, with the Mustangs getting all sorts of contributions from multiple different sources. INF Max Harris (2022; Doane University) and OF Sean Keegan (2023) have paced this team at the plate, with C Will Malsch (2023) slashing .353/.421/.441 after climbing to the varsity level. INF Carter Creech (2023) and 1B Darion Leigh (2023) round out the infield, with freshman MIF Drew Hansen (2025) getting some run as well. Joining Keegan in the outfield are OF Grant Peters (2022) and OF Evan Fitzgerald (2022) - two seniors that have helped give the Mustangs consistency in the outfield all spring. C Dominic Anselmo (2024) has teamed up with the aforementioned Malsch to form a formidable duo behind the plate, with OF Jack Lally (2023) and 1B Alex Musel (2023) each providing Marquette with steady production at DH.
BOTTOM LINE
The strength for Marquette has been the team itself and their ability to rally together as a unit. They’re battle tested, having played a tough schedule throughout the regular season, and that’s helped them get to this point in the playoffs. Drawing conference-foe Lindbergh in the first round is no easy feat, but the Mustangs will certainly look to keep their championship aspirations alive by defeating the Flyers.
BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH
Blue Springs South is into the state playoffs after an impressive sweep of their opposition throughout districts. They didn’t allow a run en route to their three wins, defeating Columbia Independent 6-0 in the first round, and upending Fort Osage and Rock Bridge to ultimately punch their ‘Elite 8’ ticket. The Jaguars are a team that spend the entirety of the season in our top-10 state rankings, and justifiably so.
There’s plenty of juice inside this Blue Springs South lineup, with leadoff man OF Jordan Austin (2022; Missouri) setting the table. He’s an upside left/left athlete that really runs and serves as a jump-start type of bat at the top of this lineup. C Cole Chace (2023; Indiana State) represented Team Missouri at the PBR Future Games this past summer, committing to the Sycamores shortly afterwards. There’s plenty of raw pop attached to his right-handed bat and he’s a quality backstop that captains this staff formidably. Chace sees time on the mound for this team as well in a swing-type role, bumping his fastball up to 90 mph at LakePoint last summer. INF Grant Hollister (2024) is a nationally-ranked name that attended the Future Games as an underclassman last year, standing out in the process. He’ll move around the infield for Blue Springs South and his bat is certainly a valuable asset to this lineup.
The duo of RHP Tommy Lapour (2023; Cincinnati) and RHP John Chambers (2022; Johnson County CC) headline this rotation. Lapour is another member of this team that was at the Future Games, touching 92 mph there with a curveball, changeup, and splitter to pair. Chambers caught our attention earlier this spring and turned in a solid outing in front of our scouts. He provides a sense of stability and experience to the mound when he toes the rubber. RHP Trenton Roehler (2023; Missouri) is another Division I arm that was up to 88 mph with his fastball last summer.
BOTTOM LINE
Talent upon talent is the theme when combing through the Jaguars’ roster, as Blue Springs South features an abundance of quality players located on one squad. They’re one of two teams to stick inside the top-10 of our state rankings all season long and are armed with the necessary pieces to make a deep run into the state playoffs. A scrappy Kickapoo team stands in the way of what Blue Springs South is aiming to accomplish this spring, as the two clubs will square off against each other on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
KICKAPOO
OUTLOOK
Kickapoo has been one of the state’s most successful programs since 2014, winning at least 20-plus games in every season since then and reaching the state quarterfinals four times. This is their first trip since 2018, and it comes at the hands of their most successful season in quite some time. The Chiefs went 27-7 this spring, rolling through Lebanon and Ozark before squaring up with a 32-win Nixa squad in the district championship. Kickapoo certainly didn’t back down, ending one of the state’s hottest teams magical season with a 5-3 victory.
The Chiefs don’t have a standout star, but instead are a group that rallies around each other and consistently plays competitive baseball. They’re led by a quintet of juniors eager to leave one final mark on the program and push this team to a state championship in their final season. Pedigree is nothing short of what OF Cole Murrell (2022) has experienced throughout his Chiefs’ career, earning ‘Offensive Player of the Year’ honors last season and serving as a productive bat for this squad. RHP/INF Anderson Underwood is one of this team’s key two-way contributors, serving as a top arm and stable bat in the lineup. 2022). INF/RHP Cross Kubik (2022) turned in a strong start against Nixa in the district finale and is another reliable senior arm in this rotation. C/INF Noah Wilkinson (2022; Fort Scott CC), LHP Morgan Goss (2022; Evangel Valor) and 1B/RHP Reed Jensen (2022; Allen CC) are other seniors that see time for the Chiefs.
Both CIF Cael McCarville (2023) and INF/RHP Evan Vienhage (2023) are two juniors that have contributed for Kickapoo this spring. McCarville delivered an enormous grand slam in the win against Nixa, while Vienhage has turned it on thus far into the Chiefs’ playoff run.
BOTTOM LINE
It’s taken a team effort for Kickapoo to get to where they are at this point in May. They’re a disciplined, well-coached bunch that plays and wins games collectively. They’ll draw a tough assignment in the first round of these state playoffs, as a matchup with Blue Springs South looms on Saturday. Should they win, Kickapoo will face either Lindberg or Marquette.
FRANCIS HOWELL CENTRAL
OUTLOOK
After navigating through a loaded GAC South conference and finishing the regular season with a 23-13 record, the Spartans find themselves in the state quarterfinals after two close wins in districts. They handled Ritenour in the first round with a 12-2 victory and squeaked past Hazelwood West with a 4-3 win to land a spot in the district championship, where they grinded their way to a 1-0 win over SLUH.
The Spartans’ roster is certainly talented and battle tested, especially after enduring the rigors of GAC South conference play. Heading the charge offensively is junior backstop Aidan Hernandez (2023), who’s slashing .445/.527/.591 with 12 extra-base hits and 34 RBIs in 110 at-bats. 3B Wyatt Miller (2023) is another junior that’s been particularly productive in the power department this spring. Miller’s .352 batting average stands as one of the team’s highest marks, but his .459 OBP and .593 SLG% over 110 at-bats are particularly impressive. Miller’s 14 extra-base hits are a team high and he also led the Spartans with three home runs. Senior INF/P Nathan Anderson (2022) led Central with 36 RBIs, slashing .389/.430/.496 in the process. P/OF Clayton Elo (2022) posted a team-leading .506 OBP in 69 at-bats, while OF Cameron Hill (2022), OF Evan Meurer (2022; McKendree), and switch-hitting C Quentin Kluesner (2023) produced at the plate in their respective opportunities.
A quartet of arms handled a majority of the Spartans’ innings on the mound, led by LHP Brayden Rubel (2023) and RHP Benjamin Henthron (2024). Rubel started eight games for this squad, going the distance twice and tossing 42 ⅔ innings, punching out 52 batters with a 2.79 ERA. Henthron started eight games for Central, posting a 2.78 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 40 ⅓ innings, walking only 14 batters all season. The aforementioned Elo struck out a team-high 55 batters and pitched to a 2.84 ERA in 37 innings, while RHP Jeffrey Fearnley (2022; Missouri-St. Louis) provided this squad with 36 quality innings across 11 games pitched.
BOTTOM LINE
Even though the Spartans finished with a losing record in GAC South play, this team is talented and certainly capable of making some noise now that they’ve reached the state quarterfinals. They’ll need their usual suspects to step up on both sides of the ball and their first-round matchup with Francis Howell won’t be an easy one. These two teams met twice this year and both games tilted in their opposition’s favor, yet they were both decided by only one run.
FRANCIS HOWELL
It’s no surprise that Francis Howell is back in the state quarterfinals, and that’s honestly become the expectation with the storied history of this program. The Vikings have made 11 trips to the ‘Final Four’ and have taken home the state championship four times, most recently being in 2016, finishing as runner-ups four times, too.
This was yet another successful season for Francis Howell under head coach Tony Perkins, as the Vikings won 31 games - the most since they took home the state championship in 2013. There’s an abundance of talent littered throughout this roster, starting with potential ‘Player of the Year’ candidate INF Jake McCutcheon (2022; Missouri State). McCutcheon put together an absurd season from a statistical standpoint, slashing .488/.503/.803 with 25 extra-base hits, including five home runs and 36 RBIs, chipping in 16 stolen bases as well. Right behind him is 1B/TE Brett Norfleet (2023; Mizzouri), who provided this team with an abundance of sheer power in the middle of their order. The dual-sport commit batted .440/.526/.879, leading the charge with nine home runs and 51 RBIs - 15 more than the next closest Viking.
Freshman OF/LHP Leo Humbert (2025) was highly successful in his first year at the varsity level, batting .392 with almost as many walks (27) as strikeouts (30) and swiping 17 bags in the process. Another underclassmen, INF Tytus Cissell (2024; Missouri), batted .336 with 24 RBIs, while both 3B/OF Brady Hultman (2023) and OF Logan Stipes (2022; Culver-Stockton College) had strong seasons at the plate.
Francis Howell’s talent translates to the mound, where the Vikings are headlined by OF/LHP Brysen Nepute (2023). The former PBR Future Games participant is one of the state’s top uncommitted juniors and he was amongst this team’s top contributors from a two-way perspective this spring. Nepute brought 27 runs home on his own, slashing .339/.433/.446 across 121 at-bats and stealing 13 bags in the process. His most impactful value came on the mound, however, where the Vikings’ ace pitched to a 1.34 ERA in 52 ⅔ innings, including three complete games. Nepute struck out 71 batters in that span, walking only 19 and further solidifying his status as one of the highest-regarded arms still on the market in Missouri.
The depth behind Nepute in this rotation is a large part as to why Francis Howell won 31 games this year. They have five arms with 20 or more innings under their belt that posted a sub-3.00 ERA this spring, starting with RHP Ty Rauser (2022; Truman State) and RHP Andrew Brackensiek (2022). They made nine starts each, as Rauser tossed 47 ⅔ innings with a 2.79 ERA and 59 strikeouts while Brackensiek posted a 1.99 ERA over 45 ⅔ innings of work. RHP Adam Shipley (2024) made six starts in his sophomore season, logging 29 ⅔ innings with a 2.83 ERA, and both RHP/CIF Evan Piwowarski (2023) and INF/RHP Caleb Miller (2023) have had success out of the pen for Francis Howell.
BOTTOM LINE
There’s no shortage of talent on this Francis Howell roster and they’re more than capable of adding another Final Four appearance to their storied program’s history. They’ll battle Francis Howell Central in the quarterfinals - a team they defeated 7-6 and 1-0 already this spring. It should be an excellent matchup between two conference rivals and, should the Vikings advance, they’ll draw either Raymore-Peculiar or Liberty North in round two.
RAYMORE-PECULIAR
After a disappointing stretch from 2015-to-2019, Ray-Pec is trending upwards with back-to-back winning seasons, including 21 victories this spring and a spot in the state’s quarterfinals. Timely hitting and the Panthers’ pitching staff propelled them to this spot, as they shut out both Raytown and Lee’s Summit before taking down Rockhurst 7-2 in the district championship.
The strength of this team lies on the mound, with a multitude of reliable players at the disposal of head coach Gary Renshaw. There’s several Division I commits on this staff, headlined by LHP Carter DeGondea (2022; Missouri State), who’s one of the state’s top senior prospects. DeGondea also earned all-conference honors as a position player, serving as one of Ray-Pec’s top offensive threats from the outfield. LHP/OF Bryson Gooding (2022; Michigan) is another two-way contributor for the Panthers, and the Wolverines’ signee was an all-conference selection as an outfielder.
Perhaps the loudest pure stuff on this staff comes from LHP Kaiden Wilson (2023; Louisiana State). The former PBR Future Games participant works out of the ‘pen for this squad and will run his fastball into the low-90s, committing to SEC-powerhouse LSU in September of 2020. Two sophomore southpaws, LHP Micah Henson (2024; Kansas State) and LHP Chase Olson (2024), are also worth highlighting. Henson earned first team all-conference honors on the mound and started the district championship, punching out nine batters across five innings in the Panthers’ win. Olson is an athletic southpaw ranked inside the top-15 for the state’s sophomore class and he pitched vital innings out of the ‘pen for Ray-Pec throughout the spring.
Ray-Pec’s talent doesn’t end there, however. RHP Clayton Ingram (2022; Maple Woods JC) struck nine out over six shutout innings in the Panthers’ first playoff game, while OF/RHP Jack Ardito (2022; Central Missouri) hurled five strong innings against Lee’s Summit in the semi-final. UTL/TE Tucker Miller (2022), INF Diesel Purnell (2025), and C Alex Biondo (2022; Rockhurst) each earned all-conference honors for their contributions to this team.
BOTTOM LINE
The amount of talent, and depth, that this Ray-Pec team has on the mound makes them a tough out on any given day. They’ll draw perhaps the toughest assignment of any team in this tournament with Liberty North, but the Panthers are capable of giving that loaded lineup fits because of the quality of arms they have.
LIBERTY NORTH
It’s no surprise that Liberty North is playing for the Class 6 state title, as the Eagles have had perennial success over the past eight years or so. They’ve won more than 20 games in all but one season dating back to 2014, posting a 30-9 record this spring. Their path to this point wasn’t an easy one, as the Eagles defeated rival Liberty in the district championship on a walk-off win after rolling through Central St. Joseph and Park Hill South.
To say that Liberty North is talented would be an understatement, as head coach Ryan Stegall’s squad oozes high-end prospects across multiple grad classes. They’re anchored offensively by INF Ty Wisdom (2023; Kansas) and Trey Snyder (2024; Tennessee), who are upper-tier prospects in their respective classes. Wisdom enjoyed a successful season as the table-setter for this team, batting .398 in 123 at-bats with 17 doubles and 35 RBIs, walking 25 times while swiping 11 bags. Snyder, who’s the state’s top-ranked sophomore, had a loud spring in his own right, batting .386 in 140 at-bats with 15 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs. Though he’s most known for his work on the mound, RHP/INF Tate McGuire (2023; Arkansas) more than held his own at the plate this spring. McGuire batted .391 and homered twice, driving in 24 runs in just 69 at-bats. He was also the hero in the district championships, delivering the walk-off blow that sealed the Eagles' state playoff appearance.
The talent doesn’t stop with that trio, however, as this team is littered with ranked prospects from top to bottom. The backstop duo of C Bo Jonas (2024; Oklahoma) and C/OF Cooper Philbrick (2023) is one of the state’s bests, while OF Matthew Hutson (2022) batted .333 and drove in 25 runs, doubling eight times. INF Jack Gardner (2022; Hutchinson CC), OF Jack Lemasters (2023), and C/3B Zach Ericsson (2022; Drury) are a few more prospects on this team worth a mention.
Liberty North’s pitching depth is also noteworthy, as several of the aforementioned prospects paired up with more names-to-know make up one of the state’s deepest units. Aside from his offensive capabilities, Wisdom enjoyed success on the mound, striking out 32 batters and posting a 0.85 ERA in 24 ⅔ innings. McGuire continued to prove himself as one of the state’s top arms, punching out 55 and walking just seven in 32 ⅓ innings. The Razorbacks allowed just four earned runs all season, pitching to a 0.86 ERA. Another junior and former PBR Future Games participant, RHP Jackson Downing (2023; Arkansas State), had a successful season, hurling 40 innings with 46 strikeouts and a 1.92 ERA. RHP Aaron Lewis (2022; Iowa Western CC) dominated as well, racking up 43 ⅓ quality innings and striking out 49 with a 1.77 ERA. The talent of these four arms, paired with what this team is capable of doing at the plate, makes Liberty North that much more of a dangerous opponent.
BOTTOM LINE
There’s no sugar-coating just how good this Liberty North team is. They defeated one of the state’s top teams with an elite tier arm opposing them in the District championship and could arguably be considered the most dangerous team in this ‘Elite Eight’ group. With that being said, Liberty North draws a Ray-Pec team in round one with a star-studded pitching staff capable of quieting a lineup on any given day. If the Eagles are to emerge victorious in what should be a thrilling matchup, they’ll play either Francis Howell Central or Francis Howell for a spot in the state title game.