Springfield high school baseball Class 5-6 districts preview, top players, predictions

Missouri high school baseball Classes 5 and 6 begin postseason play this week with championship games scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Updated schedules can be found on MSHSAA.org. Rain could impact games throughout the week.

Here are our predictions and players to watch for each Springfield area district.

Class 5, District 6

Games in Branson

Preview: Willard takes the top seed into district play a year after coming up short in district play when it had been to the state semifinals for three straight years. The Tigers have as deep of a pitching staff as they've had throughout their recent dominance highlighted by Cameron Jennings.

Branson is a challenger after turning in its best season since 2015 and might have to take on West Plains in a district semifinal when it features one of the best bats in the area in Tank Sims.

More: Speeches, bus rides and Katy Perry: Behind the scenes with top-ranked Willard baseball

Player to watch: Cameron Jennings, Willard — Jennings has been a two-way star for the Tigers being their best pitcher on the mound and batting in their three-hole. Through his first 33 innings on the mound, he allowed just three runs.

Prediction: Willard over Branson.

Wednesday

• Noon - No. 1 Willard vs. No. 8 Hillcrest
• 2 p.m. - No. 4 Marshfield vs. No. 5 Catholic
• 4 p.m. - No. 2 Branson vs. No. 7 Parkview
• 6 p.m. - No. 3 West Plains vs. No. 6 Bolivar

Thursday

• 5 p.m. - Semifinal
• 7 p.m. - Semifinal

Championship on Saturday at 1 p.m.

More: 10 Springfield high school baseball players on contending teams to know before districts

Class 6, District 6

Games at Kickapoo

Preview: There's not a hotter team in the area than Glendale as it's been putting up big numbers and limiting good lineups over the last two weeks. Winners of their last seven, the Falcons have five batters hitting .350 or higher over the stretch and have developed some pitching depth behind Drew Wedgeworth who has proven to be the best big-game pitcher in the Ozarks.

Plenty of talent that can challenge the Falcons in their attempt to win their fourth district in five seasons. Republic earned the two-seed and have a pitcher the area fears in Caide White who might have to throw in a potential semifinal game against Nixa which is as talented as anyone in the area and is the winner of its last four entering postseason play.

More: Glendale ace Drew Wedgeworth, grandson of Bill Rowe, commits to Missouri State baseball

Player to watch: Mark Ross II, Glendale — Ross has been ridiculous this season batting .469 with a .709 slugging percentage and a third of his hits being for extra bases.

Prediction: Glendale over Nixa.

Wednesday

• 11 a.m. - No. 1 Glendale vs. No. 8 Joplin
• 1:30 p.m. - No. 4 Ozark vs. No. 5 Kickapoo
• 4 p.m. - No. 2 Republic vs. No. 7 Neosho
• 6:30 p.m. - No. 3 Nixa vs. No. 6 Carthage

Thursday

• 4 p.m. - Semifinal
• 6:30 p.m. - Semifinal

Championship on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Springfield area schools in out-of-area districts

Webb City is the No. 1 seed in Class 5, District 7 in Belton. The Cardinals are the overwhelming favorite in a district with two-seed Carl Junction who they beat 5-0 on April 23.

Lebanon is the No. 6 seed in Class 6, District 2 in Kirkwood. Second-seed Eureka received votes in the latest Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association poll.

Central is the No. 8 seed in Class 6, District 5 in Columbia. The Bulldogs play top-seed Rock Bridge in the first round, ranked sixth in the MHSBCA poll.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield high school baseball Class 5-6 districts preview, top players, predictions