We have seen some wild postseason baseball stories over the years on The Starting Lineup, but Licking Wildcats head coach Cole Roark might just take the cake this season. Tonight, his squad carries a 26-9 record into the Class 3 Final Four at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex to battle a highly physical Blair Oaks team. But getting to this point required dodging logistical nightmares, navigating a brutal regular-season schedule, and executing one of the gutsiest postseason plays you will ever witness in Missouri high school sports. We sat down with Coach Roark to recap an unforgettable week both on and off the diamond.

Best Man Duties & A Mad Dash to the Diamond

Before he could even think about game strategy for the Final Four, Coach Roark had a major commitment across the country. He had to travel to Savannah, Georgia, to serve as the best man for his former player, Gideon Antle, who currently plays right field in the Banana Ball league. Despite a wedding date scheduled right smack in the middle of the most critical week of the season, Roark made the cross-country trek back and forth while only missing a single practice. Talk about dedication to his guys—past and present!

The Steal of Home That Stunned Fair Grove

You can’t get to the Final Four without manufacturing a little magic, and Licking did exactly that to avenge last year’s sectional loss to Fair Grove. Tied up in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and the bases loaded, multi-sport star Carson Walker—who also holds the school basketball record with a 54-point game—took matters into his own hands. Noticing the Fair Grove catcher was lobbing balls back to the pitcher from his knees, Walker perfectly timed up a throwback and stole home to win the ballgame. It was Walker’s 45th stolen base of the year, and arguably the biggest run in program history.

The “Power of Friendship” and Overcoming the Skids

Licking’s journey wasn’t always smooth sailing; they actually limped into the postseason on a five-game losing streak. But as Coach Roark emphasized, they intentionally schedule powerhouse programs like Rolla and Ava because they “aren’t afraid to lose” if it means seeing elite arms. That trial by fire gave birth to their official team motto: the “Power of Friendship”. It’s a movie trope they embraced after opening the season with a stunning 1-0 shutout against Logan-Rogersville High School, proving that while they might not look like the most physically imposing lineup, they find a way to win together.

Honoring Licking’s Historic Baseball Roots

The tradition runs deep in Licking. Coach Roark, an adopted son of the town who played at SBU, shared how the community recently dedicated Wolf Field at Deer Lake Park to honor the legendary Byron Hagler. From stories of former star Philip Gamble playing through an orbital fracture with a face guard to the local lumber yard helping fund their brand-new indoor facility, the entire town is all-in on Wildcats baseball. Tonight, the shops in Licking will be closed because the whole town is heading down the highway to chase a state championship.