Local schools competed at district cross country meets in Nixa on Saturday. Webb City’s boys and girls both won team titles in Class 4, while Neosho’s boys and girls were both second. Also in Class 4, several local athletes advanced to state as individuals. In Class 5, Joplin’s boys punched their ticket to state with a second place showing. Joplin’s girls and Carthage’s boys also had runners advance.
NIXA, Mo. — Led by a pair of individual medalists, Webb City’s boys and girls both topped the team standings in convincing fashion at the Class 4 District 6 cross country meet on Saturday at Inman Elementary School.
As a result, the Cardinals will be taking full squads to next week’s state meet in Columbia. The top two teams and the top 15 individuals at the district meet advanced to state.
Webb City’s boys rolled to a first place finish, as all seven Cardinals finished in the top 14. Webb City finished with a team score of 30 and Neosho was second with 70.
“I’m happy that we were able to advance to the state meet and win our fourth district championship,” Webb City coach Dustin Miller said. “I’m happy that some of our guys performed better than they did at the conference meet. As a whole, we have some big goals, so we have some work ahead of us…some mental work. If you’re going to challenge a team like Festus, who has won six straight state championships, you’re going to have to bring it. Today we learned some lessons and we’ll grow from this. We’ll be good to go next week.”
Webb City’s girls had the top three finishers and all seven runners finished in the top 19. The Cardinals finished with a team score of 21, while Neosho was second with 48.
While it’s the fourth district title for the Webb City boys, it’s the first district crown in program history for the Webb City girls.
“That’s our girls’ first-ever district title, so that’s a really big deal for us,” Miller said. “We’ve dealt with some adversity this year, so for our girls to come out and have their best performance, I’m just really proud of them. They came out focused. They had a big day.”
Webb City junior Roman Borboa was the district champion. He toured the 5,000-meter course in 16 minutes, 30 seconds.
“This feels pretty good,” Borboa said. “This is only the second race I’ve ever won. The other was the warm-up meet at the start of the season, and that wasn’t even a real meet.”
A junior, Borboa topped a number of runners who beat him a week ago at the COC race. Borboa was 10th at the conference meet.
“We raced really hard and I’m really proud of our team,” Borboa said. “Today really motivates us to go to state and try to win it.”
Webb City senior Joseph Dawson finished third in 16:32. Dawson was edged at the finish line for second by Logan-Rogersville’s Landon Hendrickson.
Also for the Cardinals, Dustin Brockmiller took seventh, Owen Weller was ninth, Jose Antillon was 12th, Samuel Winesburg took 13th and Shane Winters finished 14th.
Webb City’s Riley Hawkins was all alone as she headed down the final stretch towards the finish line.
A junior, Hawkins was the girls district champion with a time of 20:22.
“This feels awesome,” Hawkins said. “I finally had a great race. I went out to the front at the start and then just chilled for the last mile. And our team did awesome. Everyone had a great race. I’m really proud of everyone.”
“Riley winning it in dominant fashion was impressive considering she’s struggled some this season with some health issues,” Miller said.
Webb City sophomore Halley Philpot took second in 21:03 and classmate Abi Street was third in 21:06. Also for the Cardinals, Isabelle Lopez took eighth, Mileah Metcalf was ninth, Katherine Moore took 15th and Velissia Perez finished 19th.
“We came into this race needing to build some confidence,” Miller said. “We needed to put a whole team race together, and today we did. Hats off to those kids for performing well.”
Neosho’s boys and girls both finished second in the team standings, and the Wildcats will take full teams to the state meet.
“I’m really proud of the whole program,” Neosho coach Emily Abell said. “I’ve been with the program for five years now, so seeing it get to this point is a really proud moment for me. Our program has grown and grown, and now it’s showing in their performances. I’m just really proud of them. I’m excited to see how they do next weekend. We’ve taken the season a week at a time, so now it’s time to prepare for one more meet.”
In the boys race, Neosho’s Kaden Cole finished fourth in 16:35.
The other Wildcats were packed together. Carson Newell was 17th, Gabriel Mabrey took 18th, Jeremiah Enlow finished 19th, Harry Slinkard was 20th, Connor Jordon took 21st and Bryce Hall was 22nd.
The Neosho girls had three runners finish in the top 11. Freshman Riley Kemna took fifth in 21:21, while junior Bailey Miller was sixth in 21:29 and sophomore Makenna Davis finished 11th (21:41).
Also for the Wildcats, Jayden Adams was 14th, Lakyn Prough took 17th, Emma Dodd was 23rd and Michelle Lindsay finished 25th.
Carl Junction’s girls and boys both had two individual qualifiers.
On the girls side, Allie Montez finished fourth with a time of 21:14 and Hannah Franks took 10th in 21:38.
Carl Junction’s Alexis Carpenter (18th), Audrey Fletcher (20th) and Riley Briggs (21st) also had strong showings.
On the boys side, Carl Junction’s Collin Emmert finished fifth in 16:40 and Logan Carnes took 11th in 17:24. Brock Feken just missed qualifying, as he finished 16th.
As far as the team standings, both CJ teams finished third.
Monett’s Julio Cruz placed eighth (17:04) and teammate Jose Salas Esquivel took 15th (17:56) to move on to state.
Two other area girls advanced with top 15 finishes.
Nevada’s Allie Rains was seventh (21:30) and McDonald County’s Melysia McCrory finished 12th (21:56).
The MSHSAA Cross Country Championships will be held Nov. 5-7 at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia. The Class 4 races will be held on Friday, with the girls race at 8:30 and the boys to follow at 11.
Due to restrictions in Boone County, attendance at the state cross country meet is limited to two spectators per runner in each race, a MSHSAA press release said.
Class 4 District 6
Boys team standings: Webb City 30, Neosho 70, Carl Junction 76, Harrisonville 94, Logan-Rogersville 134, Nevada 145, McDonald County 184.
Girls team standings: Webb City 21, Neosho 48, Carl Junction 66, Monett 118, Logan-Rogersville 124.
NIXA, Mo. — For the second straight week, the Joplin High School cross country program made history.
Joplin’s full boys squad and three members of the girls team qualified for the MSHSAA Cross Country Championships with their respective performances at Saturday’s Class 5 District 6 meet at Inman Elementary School.
The top two teams and the top 15 individuals advanced to the state meet. Joplin’s boys finished second in the team standings with 67 points. Kickapoo was first with 38.
Now, for the first time in program history, Joplin will have a full team at the state championships.
“Our boys ran really well,” Eagles coach Dustin Dixon said. “They looked like they were driven after last week’s disappointment of getting third. I’m just really proud of them. This is the first team we’ve ever had make it to the state championships, so it’s going to be fun to take a bus instead of a van.”
Joplin’s girls made history last week by winning a conference championship, and Dixon noted his boys team accomplished a lofty preseason goal.
“In August, we thought we had a good team,” he said. “Year after year, we’ve come up short. They didn’t come up short this year. That means a lot. It’s hard to get there for the first time.”
Joplin’s seven boys all finished in the top 23. The Eagles were led by junior Zaben Barnes, who finished seventh in 16 minutes, 44 seconds.
“Zaben had a great day,” Dixon said. “Zaben and Hobbs Campbell are training partners. Hobbs has been our No. 1 all year, and we’ve told Zaben he’s capable of racing with Hobbs. He showed that today.”
Joplin’s Campbell (16:53) and Evan Matlock (16:54) finished 13th and 14th, respectively, while Ian Horton (17:03) and Micah Bruggeman (17:04) were 16th and 17th. Bruggeman gave the Eagles a boost, as he did not compete at last week’s COC meet.
“I thought Micah ran really well,” Dixon said. “He’s coming out of some sickness, but he closed the door for us today. He did exactly what we needed him to do for us.”
Also for the Eagles, Kane Brooks and Nicholas Horton took 22nd and 23rd, respectively. Kickapoo’s Tyler Harris was the individual medalist with a time of 15:48.
Joplin junior Jennalee Dunn had a day to remember. And now, she’s heading back to the state meet for the second straight year.
Dunn was the district runner-up with a time of 19:20.
“I’m really glad I was able to qualify and I’m really proud of how our team did today,” Dunn said. “I’m just really happy right now.”
Kickapoo’s Klarie Brown crossed the line first with a time of 19:11. Dunn finished second, ahead of Nixa’s Alicen Ashley (19:25), who won the COC race last week.
“The Nixa girl had beaten me by about 10 seconds last week,” Dunn said. “Today, I knew I had to really fight to try to get my team qualified. I just tried to fight really hard.”
“Jennalee beat the conference champion and she looked determined,” Dixon said. “She ran really well. From the gun, she ran really well. We’re hoping she can bring a medal home next weekend.”
Two other Eagles qualified for state by finishing in the top 15. Freshman Allie Keizer placed 10th in 20:09 and sophomore Sage Mitchell took 12th in 20:32. Dixon noted both girls performed well with the season on the line.
Also competing for the Eagles on Saturday were Mairi Beranek (19th), Cylee Gilreath (20th) and Jackaline Triplett (27th). Alexandra Carson began the race, but was unable to finish. Carson finished fifth at last week’s Central Ozark Conference meet.
This year’s COC champions, Joplin’s girls were unable to advance the entire squad to state, as the Eagles finished third with 56 points. Nixa (46) and Kickapoo (51) were the qualifying teams.
“The girls won the conference championship last week against the team that won the district today, so that’s disappointing,” Dixon said. “We were winning, but we struggled in the last mile. But we feel good about where our program is. We have a junior, a sophomore and a freshman going to the state meet and every girl that ran today is coming back next year. We’re ready to take the next step.”
Carthage’s duo of Malcolm Robertson and Mariques Strickland placed eighth and ninth, respectively, in the boys race, qualifying for the state meet in the process.
A senior, Robertson crossed the line at 16:45, with Strickland, a junior, recorded a time of 16:50. They were the only two Tigers able to advance to state.
Carthage’s Joseph Wyrick finished 18th, while Richard Contreras was 27th. Also competing for the Tigers were Ty Lewis (41st), Eddy Fuentes (44th) and Landen Schrader (45th). Carthage’s boys were third in the team standings with 103 points.
The Carthage girls did not have a state qualifier. Keysli Elias finished 21st, Hadley McBride was 29th, Kimberly Hernandez took 31st and Allyssa Williams finished 42nd. The CHS girls finished sixth in the team standings.
The MSHSAA Cross Country Championships will be held Nov. 5-7 at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia.
The Class 5 races are Saturday, with the girls running at 8:30 a.m., with the boys to follow at 11.
Due to restrictions in Boone County, attendance at the state meet is limited to two spectators per runner in each race, a MSHSAA press release said.
Class 5 District 6
Boys team standings: Kickapoo 38, Joplin 67, Carthage 103, Ozark 106, Branson 138, Nixa 139, Republic 210, Glendale 213, Parkview 248, Springfield Catholic 250.
Girls team standings: Nixa 46, Kickapoo 51, Joplin 56, Ozark 95, Parkview 146, Carthage 152, Branson 158.
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State scored late in the fourth to cut the Nebraska-Kearney lead to one score and had a chance in the waning stages of the game to take the lead before the Lopers ultimately held off the Gorillas 31-26 in the season opener on Saturday at Carnie Smith Stadium.
The Gorillas scored on a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mak Sexton to Jalen Martin at the 11:50 mark of the final quarter to trim the Lopers’ lead to 24-20.
PSU forced a three-and-out on the ensuing defensive possession before a three-and-out possession on offense led to a loss of 13 yards on Dominik Stadlman’s punt attempt, giving the Lopers solid field position deep in PSU territory.
Nebraska-Kearney took advantage less than two minutes later when TJ Davis crossed the goal lime from a yard out to push UNK’s margin to 30-20.
The Gorillas drove down into UNK territory before a 20-yard field goal attempt by Jaden Snyder was blocked to give the Lopers possession.
Pittsburg State forced Kearney into a punt before the offense orchestrated a seven-play 61-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 31-yard touchdown pass from Sexton to Christian Carter to bring PSU within five of the lead, 31-26, with 1:47 remaining.
On the Lopers’ first play of the ensuing drive, PSU’s Luke Jennings fried Dayton Sealey into a fumble, with Jennings recovering the loose ball to give Pittsburg State possession with 1:42 left in the game.
A 9-yard completion to Dylan White and a 17-yard run from Tyler Adkins sent the Gorillas to the UNK 21, where the drive stalled with four straight incompletions for a turnover-on-downs, sealing the win for Kearney.
STATS
Pittsburg State picked up 132 rushing yards on 29 attempts, while passing 46 times for 398 yards. Sexton completed 25-of-46 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns. Adkins rushed 15 times for 73 yards and a score. Carter had eight receptions for 153 yards and a score, while White, a Pittsburg High product, caught five passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. Martin added seven receptions for 58 yards and a score.
Brandon Mlekus, a Frontenac native, led PSU with 10 tackles, while Jennings had eight solo tackles, 10 total, and a forced fumble and recovery. Kaden Roy, a Webb City graduate, had eight tackles.
UNK rushed 66 times for 287 yards and passed 10 times for 154 yards. Sealey led Kearney with 118 yards on 21 carries, while Davis had 21 carries for 93 yards and four touchdowns. Montrez Jackson added 51 rushing yards on 11 carries. Blake Bubak led UNK with nine total tackles.
UP NEXT
Pittsburg State travels to Missouri Western for a 3 p.m. matchup on Nov. 7.
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction got off to a quick start and rolled to a dominant 45-9 win over Monett on Friday night in the Class 4 District 5 opener.
After the Cubs tried to pull an onside kick to start the game, the Bulldogs recovered and then launched a 61-yard quick strike to senior Cole Stewart on the first play from scrimmage. From inside the 1-yard line, senior Brady Sims ran it in for a touchdown on just the second play of the game.
“Coming off that big play, our offensive line played great and I was able to punch it in,” Sims said of his first touchdown of the night.
The next three drives were a back and forth affair as each team forced punts. After a slow first quarter it appeared that Carl Junction would head into the second frame with just a touchdown, but then senior Alex Baker hit senior Noah Southern for a 44-yard catch and run to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Carl Junction once again held the Cubs to punts on their next two drives, thanks in part to a strong defensive performance, including two sacks from senior Gabe Lyon.
“At first, I took a pass drop, but when I saw the quarterback rolling out I knew I had to go get him, and I did,” Lyon said. “We have some things to work on, but overall I think our defense did pretty good.”
With just over five minutes left in the half, senior Drew Patterson scored on a 31-yard catch to give the Bulldogs a 21-0 lead.
On the ensuing drive the Cubs spoiled Carl Junction’s hopes of a shutout by kicking a field goal in the last minute of the half.
With just 25 seconds left, Carl Junction had all three timeouts and refused to take a knee. They marched down the field, and with just one second left Baker gave a quick toss to Patterson, who ran 10 yards and lateraled the ball to Sims, who ran it into the end zone for a spectacular 31-yard touchdown.
“It was a last second decision,” Sims said. “Coach loves to draw up those trick plays.”
“Coach Buck just wanted to take a shot at the end of the half and do something special,” Patterson said. “I ran the hitch and tossed the ball to Brady and he made it in. Probably shouldn’t have worked, but it did and Brady did a great job pulling it off.”
Monett received the ball to open the second half, but CJ forced another punt. The Bulldogs looked as if they were about to score by hitting a 48-yard pass to Patterson that brought the ball to the 1-yard line once again, however a fumble gave the ball back to the Cubs deep in their own territory.
The Bulldogs once again held the Cubs to a punt, and Sims collected his second touchdown of the night on a 20-yard run.
On the next drive, Monett was again forced to punt, but this time Stewart returned the short kick for a 30-yard touchdown return.
The fourth quarter began with a Monett fumble on their own 35, and the Bulldogs capitalized with a short field goal.
Several long drives ran the clock out, culminating in Monett’s lone touchdown of the night as time expired, leading to a Bulldog win and final score of 45-9.
“We prepared for this game and knew Monett would play hard, they’re not too removed from a state championship, and they did,” Bulldogs coach Doug Buckmaster said. “We didn’t play our best game on either side, but we’re thankful for the win. We have some things to clean up because we’re at that point in the season where if you don’t win you go home. Hats off to our guys in this unique year though. Nobody thought we would be where we are 10 weeks ago, and here we are.”
Carl Junction will host Hillcrest next Friday night in the district semifinals.
OZARK, Mo. — Ozark’s offense found little resistance on the way to a 40-7 win over Neosho in the opening round of the Class 5 District 6 playoffs on Friday.
The Tigers (6-4) scored four times in the first half to build a 26-0 lead by the intermission. Keeping the Wildcats’ offense in check, Ozark added two more unanswered scores in the second half to force a running clock on the way to the win.
The loss ends Neosho’s season with an 0-10 record. The Wildcats graduate 11 seniors—RB/LB Brandy Gonzales, RB/DB Cayden Auch, TE/OLB Sam Sullivan, RB/LB Drayke Perry, QB/DB Landon Kivett, TE/LB Jacob Fry, WR/DB Hunter Morales, OL/DL Myles Buck, OL/DL Connor Millikin, TE/OLB Corbin Thomason and OL/DL Kaden Decker.
After a three-and-out by Neosho to start the game, Ozark looked to follow suit before quarterback Cannon Cox ripped off a 46-yard run on fourth-down-and-3 from midfield, setting up a 5-yard third-and-goal touchdown run on an end around from Ethan Pritchard to put the Tigers up 6-0 with 7:35 left in the first quarter.
Neosho’s offense, which was limited to 33 yards of offense in the first half, again went three-and-out, and Ozark went on a nine-play scoring drive that culminated in a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Thomas Rushing late in the first period to push the lead to 12-0.
Ozark went up three scores with less than six minutes left in the first half when Tylr Bolin scored on a 33-yard touchdown run to make the score 19-0.
The Tigers, who rushed 26 times for more than 260 yards in the first half, scored their fourth touchdown in five possessions of the first two quarters when a 35-yard gallop from Bolin set up a 5-yard rushing score from Cox to make the score 26-0 with 2:10 left in the second quarter.
Bolin had 112 yards and a touchdown on the ground in the first half, with Cox close behind at 93 yards and a score.
Ozark opened up the second half as it closed the first, putting points on the board. The Tigers marched down the field and used a 4-yard touchdown run from Bolin, his second of the game, to push the margin to 33-0.
Neosho earned good field position for the first time in the game after Cox fumbled on Ozark’s ensuing possession, with the Wildcats’ Thomason recovering near midfield. Neosho’s drive moved to the 30-yard line before Auch fumbled a run to the outside on third down to give the ball back to the Tigers.
The Wildcats earned another takeaway on the ensuing defensive possession when Marcus Duncan stripped Cox of the football, giving Neosho the ball inside the OHS 35-yard line. An 8-yard run from Jared Siler and back-to-back 6-yard runs by Perry put the Wildcats inside the 10. Neosho got as close as the 7-yard line before the drive stalled for a turnover on downs.
Ozark answered back quickly, with Jacob Kronebusch finding paydirt from 75 yards out to push the lead to 40-0 with 9:43 left in the game.
Neosho got on the scoreboard with 2:27 left in the game when Logan Whetzell ripped off a 43-yard touchdown on play-action to make the score 40-7.
Bolin led Ozark with 141 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, while Cox carried the ball 12 times for 121 yards, two touchdowns and two fumbles.
Siler led Neosho with 74 rushing yards on 22 carries. Perry added 42 yards on 11 carries.
Ozark travels to Webb City for a district semifinal matchup at 7 p.m. on Friday.
SCORING SUMMARY
Neosho 0 0 0 7 — 7
Ozark 12 14 7 7 — 40
FIRST QUARTER
OHS—Ethan Pritchard 5 run (two-point fail)
OHS—Thomas Rushing 15 run (two-point fail)
SECOND QUARTER
OHS—Tylr Bolin 33 run (Jace Easley kick)
OHS—Cox 5 run (Easley kick)
THIRD QUARTER
OHS—Bolin 4 run (Easley kick)
FOURTH QUARTER
OHS—Jacob Kronebusch 75 run (Easley kick)
NHS—Logan Whetzell 43 run (Landon Kivett kick)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Webb City Cardinals didn’t go down without a fight.
With the state’s ultimate prize up for grabs, and down to their final three outs, Webb City rallied in both the seventh and eighth innings.
In the end, it wasn’t enough, as Webster Groves held off Webb City 5-4 in an eight-inning thriller for the Class 4 crown on a wind-chilled Friday at the MSHSAA Fall Softball Championships at the Killian Softball Complex.
“I couldn’t be prouder of them,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said moments after handing out her team’s runner-up medals. “They fight until the end in every single game and nothing was different today. They never give up and they didn’t today either. I told the girls they have nothing to hang their heads about. They wanted to win it, it just didn’t work out.”
The Cardinals forced extra innings by plating two runs in the bottom of the seventh. And after the Statesmen once again took the lead in the top half of the ensuing frame, the Cardinals pushed across a single tally in the eighth before stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on-base.
“That’s one thing about this ballclub…we don’t stop,” Webb City two-way senior standout Haidyn Berry said. “We fought our hardest. We can look at that scoreboard and be proud. We fell short, but we competed and I’m proud of the girls. Even though it didn’t go our way today, I’m extremely proud to be the leader of this team. This was something special.”
The champions of the Central Ozark Conference, the Cardinals finished the fall with a record of 27-6. The Cardinals also have a new piece of hardware for the trophy case.
Friend said this year’s squad definitely left its mark.
“I want them to be remembered as a team that was so much fun to watch because they are,” Friend said. “They’re a great group of young ladies, on and off the field. They’re talented, but they also have the character you want to see in a team.”
Webster Groves (16-2) secured its first-ever softball championship.
Webster Groves senior right-hander Maddie Buske (12-1) was the winning pitcher. Buske allowed four runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out 12 on a day she threw 148 pitches.
“She had really good command of her pitches,” Friend said. “We struggled at the beginning, but we made adjustments and we were making better contact later in the game.”
Four players had two hits apiece for the Statesmen—Alyssa Moran, Kelly Collins, Hannah Jansen and Ava Fitzgibbon.
In the final outing of her stellar prep career, the right-handed Berry (25-6) surrendered five runs on 12 hits and a walk. She struck out eight. The hard-throwing Berry tossed 122 pitches, with first-pitch strikes to 30 of 37 batters.
Emma Welch and Shea’lee Key had two hits apiece for the Cardinals, who were looking to secure the program’s third championship.
The title game, which was played in less than ideal field conditions after several days of rain, was a memorable one.
The Statesmen struck first by pushing across two runs in the top of the third inning. Fitzgibbon singled to left and Moran reached on a bunt. After an out, Webster Groves’ Jansen lifted a two-run double to right-center.
The Cardinals threatened in the bottom half, as Bri Batson walked and Welch singled with one out. But Buske retired both Berry and Peyton Hawkins to maneuver out of trouble.
Webb City got on the board in the fifth, as Key and Welch both singled. With two outs, Berry came through in the clutch by smacking a run-scoring single into left.
The Cardinals nearly tied the game in the sixth. After a 13-pitch at-bat, senior Alyssa Jennings drew a leadoff walk. Kaylyn Gilbert’s bunt moved Jennings into scoring position. Buske fanned Emalee Lamar for the second out. Next, Hannah Wells lifted a fly ball into center, but Webster Groves’ Moran made a diving, run-saving catch to end the inning.
“That was a great play by their center fielder,” Friend said. “That was a game-changer.”
The Statesmen added a single tally in the top of the seventh on Jansen’s RBI single.
Once again, the Cardinals didn’t go quietly.
In the bottom of the seventh, Key led off with a sharp single into left-center, bringing up Batson, the nine-hole hitter.
On a 2-1 count, Batson launched a game-tying, two-run home run over the fence in left. She was mobbed at home plate after rounding the bases.
“That was fantastic to see one of our seniors come through,” Friend said. “I knew she had it in her. I’m just very proud of her.”
The team’s starting third baseman, Batson said connecting for her second homer of the season was a moment she’ll never forget.
“I went up there clear-headed and I just wanted to help my team,” Batson said. “It was a great feeling to be there for my team one last time. I felt it was gone off the bat. As soon as I saw the ball flying I knew it was gone. It was an amazing feeling.”
Webb City was unable to do further damage later in the seventh, however, and the game went into extra innings.
The Cardinals were unable to keep their momentum, as the Statesmen rallied for two runs with two outs in the top of the eighth.
Carissa Castro singled and then Taylor Knapp’s fly ball dropped in right-center, giving Webster Groves a 4-3 lead. Fitzgibbon followed with an RBI double to left for a two-run advantage before Berry got out of the inning.
“They got a couple timely hits and that was the difference in the ballgame,” Friend said.
Once again down to their final three outs, Webb City made things interesting in the bottom half of the eighth. Jennings, in her final at-bat as a Cardinal, doubled to left to start the frame before Gilbert drew a walk to put two on-base with no outs.
Buske struck out Lamar, but Wells delivered a run-scoring single into center, cutting Webb City’s deficit to one.
With Gilbert at third and pinch runner Brynna Cupp at second, Buske secured the championship by inducing a pair of pop outs off the bats of Key and Batson.
With that, Webb City settled for the runner-up plaque.
“I’m extremely proud of this team,” Friend said. “They have so much drive, so much team chemistry and really just great character with every single player. That’s what carried us this season.”
Webb City also finished as the state runner-up in both 2013 and 2000.
The Cardinals will lose key performers Berry, Jennings and Batson to graduation, but the remainder of the lineup will return with the goals set high in 2021.
Just minutes after her prep career concluded, Berry addressed the underclassmen before the team left the field.
“Haidyn is a fantastic person in general and she was a fantastic leader for this team,” Friend said. “She wants the best for every one of her teammates. She wants those juniors to come back fighting next year. I can’t say enough about her.”
While they were left wondering what could have been after the season-ending setback, the Cardinals noted finishing the campaign in the championship game was a special occasion.
“This was a great experience and I’m glad we went out with a bang and didn’t give up,” Batson said. “We didn’t lay down for them. I love my team. We did what we could and I’m proud of these ladies.”
“Going out with a bang is what we wanted to do and that’s what we did,” Berry said. “This was a fun year with a fun group of girls. When I was a little girl I always wanted to play here. I’m going to remember that I had the best teammates ever and our coaches were awesome. We had great community support. It means everything to me. Even though we didn’t pull out the win, it’s a dream come true to get here.”
BOXSCORE: https://www.mshsaa.org/Activities/DistrictWinners.aspx?alg=38&class=4&id=1
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