RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. --- You think high school baseball in Central Missouri is any good?

No less than four of the six state champions from last year are from this area --- St. Elizabeth (Class 1), Russellville (Class 2), Father Tolton (Class 3) and Southern Boone (Class 4).

Take that, Missouri.

"I've been involved with baseball in Central Missouri basically all my life, first is a player and then as a coach," Russellville head coach Lucas Branson said. "Sometimes people don't appreciate how good these teams are, from the Class 1 level to the Class 5 or 6 level.

"We've got a lot of really good coaches in the area and a lot of really good programs."

Just win, baby. But it's not always easy.

"We know that about every night we step on the ball field," Branson continued, "we're playing against another talented team."

The Indians have spent this season just as they finished the last --- ranked No. 1.

They finished last year riding a 13-game winning streak to cap a sparkling 29-4 campaign and win the school's first state championship.

"We had some really talented kids," Branson said, "and they just stepped up and played some of the best baseball we could have possibly played the last two or three weeks of the season."

This season has been more of the same for the Indians (18-5).

"Our kids new coming into the season what the expectation level was," said Branson, 45, who's in his 13th year with the Indians. "They knew with the number of starters we had returning, and the amount of experience and depth we had, that we had a chance to be really good again.

"Our focus right now is to play every pitch of every inning of every game with the maximum amount of effort we can. I'd say we've been able to do that about 90 percent of the time this season, so things are going pretty well."

Russellville has nine seniors on the roster, which is a big number for any high school team at any level. For a Class 2 school, it's a huge number and almost unheard of.

This senior conversation starts with 6-foot-3 Charlie Miller.

"He's just a special player who's got a tremendous upside," Branson said. "He does a lot of really good things, he competes really well ... he's just a great player to have on our roster."

Miller's at his best when he's on the mound, as he's signed to pitch at Mizzou.

"He knows how to pitch, you don't see that from a lot of high school kids," Branson said. "He can throw a lot of different pitches on different counts for strikes."

Miller is 4-0 with an ERA less than 2.00 this season, with 51 strikeouts and only 11 walks in 32 innings. At the plate, he's hitting over .450 with two home runs, 21 RBI and 32 runs scored.

That's the good and inspiring news, here's the bad and sad news.

Miller suffered a fractured right thumb when he slid into second base during a game against St Elizabeth on April 20. He'll be out until roughly mid-May.

"Fortunately, he doesn't have to have surgery," Branson said. "We're going to try to keep him as close to being ready as we can, so when he does come back, he'll be able to contribute as best he can."

While this injury certainly hurts the Indians, they still have a " deep, experienced pitching staff," Branson said.

They are senior righthanders Jesse Daniel (5-1 record), Jake Schulte (4-1), Luke Oligschlaeger (3-0) and Chris Seaver, and freshman righty Justin Seaver (1-2).

Walks are few and far between from these hurlers, which is half the battle in high school baseball.

"We have a lot of guys," Branson said, "who are really good strike throwers."

Offensively, the team showcases a combination of speed and power.

Leadoff batter Chris Seaver "has really had a strong year," as he's hitting.430 (stats are through 22 games) with three home runs, 24 RBI and 36 runs scored.

Schulte, who gives the team a reliable anchor behind the plate, is at .375 with two homers and 18 RBI.

One of the team's "unsung heroes," Branson said, is senior right fielder Josiah Herman (.345, three HR, 23 RBI), while other top offensive threats include senior Bryce Bryant, Oligschlaeger and Daniel.

"The kids are working extremely hard and there is a lot of good things going on," Branson said. "And we're seeing a lot of good things in the school, as well "

Yes, as is often the case, when a school has success in athletics, it often coincides with the overall success of the school.

"It brings an excitement level everyday that you don't normally see on a daily basis," Branson said. "There are a lot of positive vibes going on, it just makes
RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. --- You think high school baseball in Central Missouri is any good?

No less than four of the six state champions from last year are from this area --- St. Elizabeth (Class 1), Russellville (Class 2), Father Tolton (Class 3) and Southern Boone (Class 4).

Take that, Missouri.

"I've been involved with baseball in Central Missouri basically all my life, first is a player and then as a coach," Russellville head coach Lucas Branson said. "Sometimes people don't appreciate how good these teams are, from the Class 1 level to the Class 5 or 6 level.

"We've got a lot of really good coaches in the area and a lot of really good programs."

Just win, baby. But it's not always easy.

"We know that about every night we step on the ball field," Branson continued, "we're playing against another talented team."

The Indians have spent this season just as they finished the last --- ranked No. 1.

They finished last year riding a 13-game winning streak to cap a sparkling 29-4 campaign and win the school's first state championship.

"We had some really talented kids," Branson said, "and they just stepped up and played some of the best baseball we could have possibly played the last two or three weeks of the season."

This season has been more of the same for the Indians (18-5).

"Our kids new coming into the season what the expectation level was," said Branson, 45, who's in his 13th year with the Indians. "They knew with the number of starters we had returning, and the amount of experience and depth we had, that we had a chance to be really good again.

"Our focus right now is to play every pitch of every inning of every game with the maximum amount of effort we can. I'd say we've been able to do that about 90 percent of the time this season, so things are going pretty well."

Russellville has nine seniors on the roster, which is a big number for any high school team at any level. For a Class 2 school, it's a huge number and almost unheard of.

This senior conversation starts with 6-foot-3 Charlie Miller.

"He's just a special player who's got a tremendous upside," Branson said. "He does a lot of really good things, he competes really well ... he's just a great player to have on our roster."

Miller's at his best when he's on the mound, as he's signed to pitch at Mizzou.

"He knows how to pitch, you don't see that from a lot of high school kids," Branson said. "He can throw a lot of different pitches on different counts for strikes."

Miller is 4-0 with an ERA less than 2.00 this season, with 51 strikeouts and only 11 walks in 32 innings. At the plate, he's hitting over .450 with two home runs, 21 RBI and 32 runs scored.

That's the good and inspiring news, here's the bad and sad news.

Miller suffered a fractured right thumb when he slid into second base during a game against St Elizabeth on April 20. He'll be out until roughly mid-May.

"Fortunately, he doesn't have to have surgery," Branson said. "We're going to try to keep him as close to being ready as we can, so when he does come back, he'll be able to contribute as best he can."

While this injury certainly hurts the Indians, they still have a " deep, experienced pitching staff," Branson said.

They are senior righthanders Jesse Daniel (5-1 record), Jake Schulte (4-1), Luke Oligschlaeger (3-0) and Chris Seaver, and freshman righty Justin Seaver (1-2).

Walks are few and far between from these hurlers, which is half the battle in high school baseball.

"We have a lot of guys," Branson said, "who are really good strike throwers."

Offensively, the team showcases a combination of speed and power.

Leadoff batter Chris Seaver "has really had a strong year," as he's hitting.430 (stats are through 22 games) with three home runs, 24 RBI and 36 runs scored.

Schulte, who gives the team a reliable anchor behind the plate, is at .375 with two homers and 18 RBI.

One of the team's "unsung heroes," Branson said, is senior right fielder Josiah Herman (.345, three HR, 23 RBI), while other top offensive threats include senior Bryce Bryant, Oligschlaeger and Daniel.

"The kids are working extremely hard and there is a lot of good things going on," Branson said. "And we're seeing a lot of good things in the school, as well "

Yes, as is often the case, when a school has success in athletics, it often coincides with the overall success of the school.

"It brings an excitement level everyday that you don't normally see on a daily basis," Branson said. "There are a lot of positive vibes going on, it just makes everything in the school a lot better."

Everybody wins.

Loeffler's Link

On heels of first title, baseball
Indians continue run of success