Marshfield Bluejays exit postseason after Final Four appearance

The Marshfield Bluejays baseball team wrapped up a memorable postseason run with a trip to
the Class 5 Final Four last week, marking the schools first appearance in the Final Four since
1998 and its first under Head Coach Will Pate. After capturing a district championship and
sweeping through the quarterfinals, the Bluejays’ season concluded with a fourth-place finish in
the state tournament.
The postseason journey began with a district title secured two weeks ago, when Marshfield
topped West Plains to earn its spot in the newly formatted quarterfinal round. This is the
Bluejays first District win since 2019. Under changes introduced this season for Class 5 and 6,
the state eliminated the sectional round, moving straight into best-of-three quarterfinal series
between the eight district champions.
Matched up against Camdenton, Marshfield traveled to the Lakers’ home field for a two-day
series. In the opening game Friday, the Bluejays claimed an 8-5 victory to take an early
advantage. The following morning, Marshfield punched its ticket to the Final Four with a
dramatic 7-6 walk-off win, sweeping the series 2-0.
In the state semifinal round, the Bluejays faced Vianney, a private school powerhouse from the
St. Louis area. Marshfield squared off against Vianney’s ace pitcher, a Division I prospect
committed to the University of Missouri. Despite a strong effort, the Bluejays fell 8-3, sending
them into the third-place game the following day.
Marshfield battled Rockwood Summit in the consolation matchup, a game that remained tight
until late innings. The Bluejays led 3-2 going into the sixth, but Summit rallied to tie the game
and then exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh, handing Marshfield a tough 9-3 defeat
to end their state tournament appearance.
While the season ended shy of the championship, the 2024 campaign was filled with milestones
and promise for the future. The Bluejays will graduate three seniors: Tyce Jones (center field),
Henry Berkstresser (left field), and Sam Perkins (second base/shortstop), all of whom played
pivotal roles throughout the year.
The outlook for next season is bright, as Marshfield returns nearly its entire pitching staff and
seven starters, including sophomore Easton Curley, who stepped into a key role during the
postseason. “We’ll be very junior and senior heavy next year, which is really exciting,” said
Coach Pate. “It’ll be the first time in a while that we’ve been this experienced across the board.”
Adding to the season’s highlights, three Bluejay players—Henry Berkstresser, Tyce Jones, and
Hunter Fryman—each reached the rare career milestone of 100 varsity hits. Berkstresser
notched his in mid-April against Bolivar, Jones hit the mark during district play against Hillcrest,
and Fryman collected his 100th hit in the state semifinal against Vianney.
Returning talent and valuable postseason experience have the Bluejays positioned as solid
contenders looking to next season.