Special to the News-Leader
OZARK – Owen Bushnell knocked in a pair of runs in the first inning as Willard made an early statement about grabbing its second consecutive title in Class 5 Missouri baseball.
But, the junior slugger — and Tigers head coach Scott McGee — knew better than to think the Tigers could deliver a quick knockout against Festus, a team that had won 10 consecutive games.
“We came out with a ton of energy and they answered,” Bushnell said. “I figured he’d settle in.”
The he was freshman left-hander Mason Schirmer — and Bushnell was prescient.