EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – An Excelsior Springs varsity baseball tradition resumed last week.

At press time, there was an opportunity for the tradition to continue Thursday, with perhaps additional opportunities next week.

After clinching the Class 4 District 15 title May 20 with a 5-3 victory over visiting Oak Grove, the Tigers bolted to the pitcher’s mound for a ceremonial dogpile. The display of jubilation was in keeping with the way the program has celebrated other postseason achievements in recent years, including other district titles and a 2023 Class 4 state quarterfinal road win over Boonville.

Having fallen short in the 2025 Class 4 District 15 championship game, doing the dogpile in 2026 was particularly meaningful, teammates Kaelan Bedford, Henry Crowley and Cruz Lloyd agreed.

“To do it with my best friends right beside me – my senior year – meant a little bit more,” said Bedford, who struck out eight, scattered four hits, allowed two runs, walked one and plunked one batter through six…