2018 Baseball Finalists

Breven Yarbro

Yarbro smacked the ball around to the tune of a .467 batting average and 32 RBIs while helping the Red Devils to a 20-2 record and the top seed in Class 2 District 3. He was also a difference-maker on the mound, where he went 8-1 and posted a 1.35 ERA with 93 strikeouts in 52 innings.

Tyler Martin

The left-hander came out of nowhere to become the Indian’s ace on the mound, using a devastating curveball and the ability to mix pitches to keep batters off balance. The result was a 9-0 record on the hill, setting a school record for single-season wins, and a 0.77 ERA, also a school record, as he gave up just seven earned runs in 63 innings pitched. He threw two no-hitters, including against rival Poplar Bluff, and was the SEMO Conference Pitcher of the Year.

Dee Triplett

Triplett was the total package — and a total wrecking ball — for the Green Wave, as he posted a .506 batting average with 30 RBIs, 42 runs scored and a 1.497 on-base + slugging percentage; he knocked 13 doubles and six home runs. He was also a key pitcher for the Class 3 state champions, going 7-2 with a 1.99 ERA.

Reid James

James was a critical leader and contributor all over the field for the always-competitive Bulldogs. In the batter’s box, the senior hit .452 with 24 RBIs and 10 doubles. On the pitching mound, he used his big curveball to post a 2.90 ERA in 41 innings, striking out 54 batters.

Drew Reischman

The long-time leader for the Eagles put up big numbers in his final season, hitting .523 with 34 RBIs, 17 doubles, and a .584 on-base percentage. He was also a dependable No. 2 starter on the mound, with a 2.34 ERA and 48 Ks in 41 2/3 innings; he came up big in big games, throwing a no-hitter in quarterfinal win and a complete game in the Class 1 championship as Oran lifted a trophy.

Layne Johnson

Johnson had a breakout year as the pitching ace for the Eagles, who he helped lead to a Class 1 state championship. He went 9-3 on the mound with a 1.01 ERA in 69 2/3 innings, striking out 111 while walking just 23 and posting a 0.80 WHIP. The senior struck out 15 batters in the district championship and threw a complete game in a state semifinal victory. He wasn’t shabby hitting the baseball either, posting a .342 average.

Turner Fritts

Fritts may have been the best hitter in Southeast Missouri this spring, as the Mules upperclassman hit .574 with 35 RBIs, 37 runs scored and a .697 on-base percentage. He had six doubles, two triples, and 10 home runs, the latter of which paced a squad that set a single-season team home runs record. Fritts is set to continue his career at Southeast Missouri State.

Mason Libla

Part of the heart of a dangerous Mules batting order, the senior catcher hit .456 and drove in 35 runs for a Poplar Bluff team that won the SEMO Conference Tournament and went 21-3. He hit 10 doubles and six home runs while also contributing 23 1/3 innings on the mound, with a 1.80 ERA a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Bryan McNeely

The Class 3 District 1 champions leaned on McNeeley to lead them on the mound an the batter’s box, and he did both, hitting .420 with 37 runs scored and 12 doubles. He was also the Rams’ ace hurler, throwing 63 1/3 innings and going 6-3 with a 1.66 ERA and 71 strikeouts with just 13 walks. His only three losses came to ranked teams.

Nate Self

The junior led the Bulldogs offensively, putting together a team-high .432 batting average with 36 runs scored and 30 driven in, along with nine doubles, three triples, six home runs and 17 stolen bases. When called upon to pitch, Self went 4-2 with a 2.88 ERA to help provide solid depth to the pitching staff.