More than five dozen Class 5 baseball teams concluded the season in defeat, but a critical performance from senior starting pitcher Owen Bane provided Platte County with an opportunity to end its season in the win column at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex.
Bane’s start, going 4.1 scoreless innings with just two hits, alleviated pressure from Platte County’s offense, which also produced in big numbers as the Pirates cruised to a 9-3 victory, securing a third-place trophy on June 6.
“It’s a pretty special feeling, especially to end your high school career on a win,” Bane said. “Not many teams get to do that, especially back-to-back.”
The defending state champions fell to Willard in a 10-0 run-rule semifinal defeat on June 5.
While the loss ended their hopes of competing for a championship, they still had one game left to prove they belong on the biggest stage in Class 5.
Owen Bane pitched 4.1 scoreless innings for Platte County in his final appearance as a Pirate.
“We were sad for a little bit,” Bane said. “But we knew that, as a team, our goal is to always have each other’s backs and play for the team. A championship is just a benefit.”
Facing a sudden shortage of experienced arms, which included Zach Brown being unavailable, with Brennan McLaughlin, Lucas Dillingham and Evan Magnuson each facing injury concerns, Bane provided some stability and length on the bump from the start. Bane allowed four runners on base against 17 batters on 55 pitches to earn the win.
“It was huge, we needed that big time,” Platte County head coach John Sipes said. “Our pitching staff was very limited. We had plenty of pitchers, but they didn’t have the experience, and they hadn’t thrown in a while. We didn’t want anyone to put anyone out there that was not ready to throw.”
Chaminade’s only threatening moments in the first four innings were self-inflicted by Platte County. Bane faced the minimum number of batters in the first inning, but worked his way into some trouble in the following three innings.
With a runner in scoring position in the second, third and fourth innings, Bane induced inning-ending pop-ups to escape the danger unscathed each time. Pitching for a second time in less than 24 hours, recording the final out in the Pirates’ semifinal defeat, Bane responded brilliantly.
“We tried not to take it too serious and just have fun,” Bane said. “Knowing it was our last game, as seniors, we just wanted to play as a team and play for each other.”
On the offensive end, Platte County came out hungry, fueled by the freedom they felt heading into the group’s final game together.
Hank Fowler hits third base against Chaminade.
The Pirates opened the scoring in the second inning when they loaded the bases with nobody out. Andrew Edsall came back from an 0-2 count to walk in the opening run, with Hank Fowler also showing patience at the plate to walk in the second run before Devin Lumm grounded into a double play, which put the Pirates ahead 3-0.
“They are so resilient, it’s not even funny,” Sipes said on bouncing back after the semifinal defeat. “They understand the failure, they understand the game, they understand how it’s played. They’re never out. It just goes to show the maturity that they have and the compassion they have for the game.”
Senior designated hitter Ian Gold celebrates his final hit in a Platte County uniform.
Platte County added another in the third inning when Ian Gold came around to score his second run of the day as sophomore catcher Boston Wasserman hit a sacrifice fly to left field. They added two more in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead, with junior left fielder Matthew Cisco driving in a sacrifice fly before sophomore second baseman Beckett Hall stole third and scored on an error.
Owen Bane exits his game in the fifth inning.
Bane was relieved by Magnuson in the fifth inning, and while Magnuson faced some struggles with three runs allowed in the fifth, he settled down in the sixth to retire Chamindade in order with a pair of strikeouts.
Right when Chaminade got itself back into the game, Platte County used a three-run sixth to build onto its lead once again as Wasserman hit another sacrifice fly to center field before a two-RBI double from Edsall. As the game reached its conclusion, Platte County rotated in some reserves, including seniors Brown, who scored as a pinch-runner, and Lucas Dillingham.
The final senior to make his entrance was pitcher Trent Belcher, who came in to close out the victory. He used the help of his defense, which included one final flash of the leather from McLaughlin to rob a base hit up the middle, before a fly out sealed Platte County’s third-place trophy.
“I want you guys to go out, take 5-15 seconds, take a look at everything and take it all in,” Sipes told his team before they took the field in the seventh inning. “Because it may not happen again. Even though it’s a third-place finish, it’s still amazing.”
It was the first time Platte County left a Final Four appearance without the state championship trophy, previously winning state titles in 2002, 2022 and 2025. It is still a season the Pirates will be proud of with a final record of 28-14.
“According to all the critics, we overachieved,” Sipes said. “But I think we kind of underachieved.”
The outgoing senior class leaves behind a remarkable legacy, highlighted by back-to-back Final Four appearances for the first time in program history. A third-place finish allows the Pirates to finish the season with great distinction, although their remain high hopes for what the future has in store.
Brennan McLaughlin embraces Platte County head coach John Sipes after the senior scored his final run.
“I can’t thank those guys enough for their dedication and the hard work they’ve put into the program,” Sipes said. “Anytime you can end the year with a win is a good thing.”
Bane and his senior teammates leave an impressive legacy behind with two state trophies.
“Go out there and support your friends and teammates,” Bane said. “Show up for everyone. Buy into Platte County; it’s a great place.”