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Month: May 2021

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD: Webb City’s Berry, CJ’s Lewis have unfinished business; area athletes advance to sectional

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Before they embark on their respective collegiate athletic careers, Webb City’s Haidyn Berry and Carl Junction’s Salma Lewis have unfinished business when it comes to track and field.

A pair of multi-sport standouts, Berry and Lewis were among the area athletes who won events at the Class 4 District 6 track meet on Saturday at Bulldog Stadium.

The top four in each event qualified to compete at next Saturday’s sectional meet in Camdenton.

Nevada won the girls team title with 145.5 points, Webb City was second with 125.5 and Carl Junction finished third with 118. 

A senior who will play softball at Central Missouri, Berry won the javelin with a toss of 116 feet, 1 inch, a heave that was nearly 17 feet better than the second place finisher. 

“I wasn’t able to PR, but I just wanted to advance and score points for my team,” Berry said. “The weather wasn’t the greatest, but we all did what we could. I feel like it was a good day to adapt and work through the weather and push through.” 

Webb City senior Haidyn Berry won the javelin at Saturday’s district track meet in Carl Junction. Photo by Israel Perez.

As a sophomore, Berry placed eighth in the javelin at the state track meet. Of course, there was no track season in 2020.

A standout pitcher and power hitter in softball, Berry hopes to earn a spot on the state podium in her signature event before she turns her attention to college athletics.

“Having my season taken away from me last year was rough,” Berry said. “This year, it’s been good. We’ve got a pretty good team this year. We’ve got two meets left. We’re going to take ‘em one meet at a time. I think I have a good chance to win sectionals. I want to be a state champion. That’s the goal and it’s really important to me. We’ll see.”  

A senior, Lewis claimed a pair of event wins for the Bulldogs.

She ran the third leg of Carl Junction’s winning 4×100-meter relay team.

Olivia Vediz, Ally Montez, Lewis and Shiloh Sluder finished with an impressive time of 49.7 seconds, over three seconds faster than the runner-up. 

Carl Junction senior Salma Lewis.

“Our relay did really well today,” Lewis said. “All of our handoffs were consistent. We have a good connection. Each meet we’re looking for a new PR. State’s the goal and we think we have a really good chance of winning it, so we’re excited.” 

In addition to standing out on the volleyball court, Lewis has been a stellar high jumper throughout her prep career as well. 

On Saturday, Lewis tied for first place with Nevada’s Lillian Hart, as both cleared 5-1.25. 

“My high jump hasn’t been as good this season as it has been in the past, but I’ve had some knee issues,” Lewis said. “If I make it to state, I’ll compete.” 

Lewis finished eighth in the high jump at the state meet back in 2019. 

The Joplin-area’s top volleyball player in the fall, Lewis said she hopes to finish her senior year of track on a positive note before she heads to Drury University.

“Having last year off really affected me, so I’m just really excited about finishing this season and I’m just happy we got to have a season this year,” Lewis said. 

 

CARDINALS, BULLDOGS MOVING ON

Berry and Lewis weren’t the only local females to punch a ticket to the sectional.

Webb City’s girls had qualifiers in nine events and the Cardinals won six events. 

Seniors Riley Hawkins and Emily Beres won two events apiece for Webb City. 

In what was a busy day, Hawkins won the 800 (2:29) and the 3200 (11:52) and also took second in the 1600 (5:41). 

Beres was the champ in both the shot put (38-3.25) and the discus (108-11). 

The Cardinals won the 4×800 relay, as Lauren Kuechler, Elliett Capron, Emily Countryman and Alanna Bundy finished in 10:58. 

Webb City’s 4×400 relay team of Khloe Rhuems, Rachel Davison, Maci Brown and Hawkins finished fourth to advance. 

Webb City’s Abi Street and Carl Junction’s Sadie Burchett compete in the 1600 on Saturday. Photo by Israel Perez.

Also for the Webb City girls, Ripley Shanks was the runner-up in the pole vault, Abi Street took third in both the 1600 and 3200, Bundy was fourth in the 800 and Kaylyn Gilbert placed fourth in the discus.

Carl Junction’s girls advanced in 12 events and the Bulldogs won seven events. 

In addition to the 4×100, Sluder and Montez won two individual events apiece.

Sluder took first in the 100 (12.72) and the 200 (25.59), while Montez crossed the line first in the 100 hurdles (15.08) and the 300 hurdles (45.48). 

Vediz also advanced in two individual events, as she won the long jump (16-5.25) and placed fourth in the triple jump (32-3.75). 

Emerson Lundien finished third in the pole vault and Hannah Cantrell took third in the long jump. 

Finishing fourth for the CJ girls were Sadie Burchett (1600), Brooklyn Meyer (high jump), Hannah Lee (shot put) and Bryn Neria (javelin).

 

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Nevada’s Brooklyn Kutina-Smith won the 400 and teammate Hart was the triple jump champ. 

McDonald County’s Kaycee Factor placed third in the 400 and the Mustangs were second in the 4×400 (Reagan Myrick, Anna Price, Nevaeh Dodson, Factor). 

 

CLASS 4 DISTRICT 6 

Girls team standings: Nevada 145.5, Webb City 125.5, Carl Junction 118, Bolivar 80.5, Logan-Rogersville 79, Monett 56.5, McDonald County 54, Hillcrest 43, Willard 23.

 

Full results:

https://mo.milesplit.com/meets/425518-class-4-district-6-2021/results/747663/raw#.YKBJi4eSlPY

 

REGION 16 BASEBALL: No. 6 Crowder knocks off Jefferson 4-2 in championship round to advance to district tournament

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Sixth-ranked and top-seeded Crowder is headed back to the NJCAA Division I District Championship tournament after defeating Jefferson College 4-2 on Saturday at Joe Becker Stadium in the Region 16 Championship round.

“It’s really exciting,” Crowder manager Travis Lallemand said. “Last year, everything was taken away, but it was a really good club and a lot of those remainders are on this team. We talk around here about team 56, but team 55 never had a shot, so this is for them as well. It is very, very special to have these guys step up the way they did.”

The Vikings (20-25) scored a run in the top of the second to take the lead before the Roughriders (49-6) struck for three runs in the third to gain the momentum. Crowder added an insurance run in the fifth on the long ball and Jefferson crossed home once in the eighth to cut the lead to two. The Vikings had the runners on base in the ninth before the Roughriders closed the door and punched their ticket to the next round.

“We had chances to put more runs up, but credit to (Jefferson) for making pitches,” Lallemand said. “Very uncharacteristic for us not to cash those opportunities in throughout the entire nine-inning game, and we had a lot of those opportunities. I am happy we won … but we have to cash those (situations) in and we know that. We have to have a gorilla’s mindset about it, but at the same time, we’ll celebrate what we did this week.”

ON THE MOUND

James Hicks, who will be attending South Carolina, was stellar on the bump for Crowder, whose pitching staff allowed just four runs all weekend. He limited Jefferson to two runs on 10 hits and nine strikeouts, and he didn’t allow a walk while pitching 8 1/3 innings on 106 pitches.

“This was the best he’s been all year and he’s been really, really good,” Lallemand said. “I haven’t seen him be this dominant all year and he tuned up for the right situation and got it done for us. … If he wasn’t in the low 90s and sitting there, I’d be shocked.”

Conner Floyd worked 2/3 of a scoreless inning, striking out two to earn the save.

“Floyd has been unbelievable for us all year,” Lallemand said. “It was big for him to come in and finish it up.”

GAME ACTION

Jefferson took the lead in the top of the second inning when Bryce Miller singled through the right side with two on and two out to plate Joe Hamilton for a 1-0 advantage.

Like in the semifinals against the Vikings on Friday, Crowder erased its early deficit with three runs in the third inning. The first tally came on a solo home run from Jack Stroth to lead off the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 1-1. After a single from Clayton Gray and consecutive walks to load the bases, Peyton Holt drove in a run with a fielder’s choice force at second before Gavin Glasgow picked up an RBI with a groundout later in the inning.

“We were able to put a big inning up, and big innings win games,” Lallemand said. “It sounds silly because of course it’s more runs, but that big inning is a momentum thing. We talk all the time ‘limit the big inning’ with our pitching staff, and if you can do that you have a chance to win games. Same thing on the counter-side offensively. If you can put up big innings, you have a chance to put it away.”

Holt gave the Roughriders insurance in the fifth inning after leading off the frame with an opposite-field home run to right to push the lead to 4-1.

Jefferson got a run back in the top of the eighth when Gideon Antle tripled home a run down the first-base line with two outs to cut the deficit to 4-2. In the next at-bat, Matt Schark flew out to center field and Antle, who bluffed going home, was cut down on the relay throw to third by Glasgow to end the threat.

“It was huge, and our alignments were perfect,” Lallemand said. “Our first baseman came over, and he’s learned that position this spring — so, again, there goes the 55 games we’ve played and learning from them — he’s missed that cut a few times. To see that executed properly in that situation goes back to the 54 games we’ve played before this. …. That was a big play to end that inning because they had all of the momentum going for them.”

The Vikings had the tying runs on second and first in the ninth inning before Floyd ended the game with a strikeout to seal the win and earn the save.

“He has been that good for us all year and we’ve got some other guys who are good down there as well,” Lallemand said about Floyd’s relief appearance. “But he’s our high-leverage guy and that was definitely a high-leverage situation.”

IN THE BOX

Holt doubled and homered to go along with two RBI and a run scored to lead the Roughriders at the plate. Stroth homered in one of his two hits as well as finishing with a run scored and one RBI. Glasgow had a hit and drove in a run.

UP NEXT

Crowder will take part in the South Central District tournament, which is scheduled May 21-23. The site is to be determined. 

Crowder College celebrates with the Region 16 Championship plague after defeating Jefferson College 4-2 on Saturday at Joe Becker Stadium. Photo by Lucas Davis.

DISTRICT TRACK & FIELD: Joplin boys advance in nine events; Carthage, Neosho athletes also earn sectional berths 

Posted on by Jason Peake

NIXA, Mo. — Joplin, Carthage and Neosho all had athletes keep their respective seasons alive at the Class 5 District 6 track meet at Nixa High School.

The top four in each event advanced to next Saturday’s sectional in Carthage.

Joplin’s boys finished second in the team standings with 125 points. Nixa was first with 158. 

Nixa (168.5) and Ozark (120) were the top two girls teams.

 

JOPLIN RESULTS

Joplin’s boys had sectional qualifiers in nine events and the Eagles won six events. 

Donovyn Fowler captured gold in his two signature events, the long jump and the triple jump. 

A junior, Fowler recorded a winning leap of 22-3.75 in the long jump and went 47-7.25 in the triple jump.

Trayshawn Thomas was the runner-up in the triple jump (44-8.25) and finished third in the long jump (21-2.75). 

Fowler and Thomas also placed second and fourth, respectively, in the 200-meter dash. 

Hobbs Campbell won a pair of events, taking first in both the 1600 (4:27) and the 3200 (9:37).

Donovahn Watkins was the shot put champion with a heave of 48-6. 

Micah Bruggeman was the runner-up in the 800 (1:58) and the Mizzou recruit also finished fourth in the 1600 (4:31). Zaben Barnes placed third in the 3200. 

The Eagles once again fared well in the relays.

Joplin’s 4×800 relay team of Barnes, Evan Matlock, Nicholas Horton and Ashton Ventura took first with a time of 8:13. 

The 4×100 relay team of Dominick Simmons, Thomas, Luke Vieselmeyer and Fowler took fourth. 

For the Joplin girls, Jennalee Dunn won the 1600 in 5:34 and took second in the 800 with a time of 2:23.

Alayna Merriman finished third in the javelin with a toss of 99 feet even to advance. 

 

CARTHAGE RESULTS

The Carthage boys had two event winners, as Miguel Solano won the 800 in 1:57 and Caleb Calvin claimed gold in the javelin with a toss of 169-7. 

Bryce Miller placed third in the pole vault, Mariques Strickland finished fourth in the 3200 and Zachary Lansford was fourth in the javelin. 

Carthage’s boys advanced in all four relays.

The Tigers were third in the 4×100 relay, with Cale Patrick, Calvin, Tyler Burt and Aiden Rogers competing. 

Carthage also placed third in the 4×200, with Patrick, Dennis Witt, Landen Schrader and Rogers running.

The 4×400 (Solano, Burt, Rogers, Schrader) was third, while the 4×800 (Malcolm Robertson, Solano, Ty Lewis and Richard Contreras) took fourth. 

For the Carthage girls, Joey Hettinger finished third in the high jump (5-1). 

Kenedy Smith just missed qualifying in the triple jump, as she finished fifth. 

 

NEOSHO RESULTS

Neosho’s Kaden Cole finished third in the 1600 and was fourth in the 800 to advance in a pair of events. 

Tristen Linders took second in the discus (135-2). 

The Wildcats finished fourth in the 4×400, with Isaiah Hill, Evan Haskins, Tristan Clanton and Isaiah Green competing. 

For the Neosho girls, senior Jayden Browning advanced in two events, as she was the runner-up in the triple jump (35-6.75) and took fourth in the long jump (16-1).

Riley Kemna finished third in the 3200, Bailey Miller placed third in the pole vault and Kaylee Schibi was fourth in the discus. 

Neosho’s girls finished fourth in the 4×400, with Miller, Makayla Peters, Michell Lindsay and Madilyn Ebbinghaus competing. 

 

CLASS 5 DISTRICT 6 

Boys team standings: Nixa 158, Joplin 125, Raymore-Peculiar 97, Ozark 89, Branson 71, Carthage 68, Neosho 51, Republic 48, Belton 30.

Girls team standings: Nixa 168.5, Ozark 120, Republic 115, Raymore-Peculiar 108, Branson 75.5, Neosho 60, Joplin 54, Carthage 15.5, Belton 13.5.

 

FULL RESULTS: 

https://mo.milesplit.com/meets/425525-class-5-district-6-2021/results/747721/raw#.YKBffIeSlPZ

REGION 16 BASEBALL: Crowder rallies from early hole before pulling away from Jefferson late in semifinals

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Crowder College erased an early one-run deficit thanks to the long ball in a three-run third inning before blowing the game open late en route to a 10-2 win in seven innings over Jefferson College in the semifinal round of the Region 16 Tournament at Joe Becker Stadium on Friday.

With the win, the top-seeded and sixth-ranked Roughriders remain in the winner’s bracket and will have a rematch with Jefferson  in the championship round on Saturday after the Vikings defeated St. Charles CC 15-11 in late game on Friday. With the tournament being double elimination, the Roughriders and Vikings match up at noon in the first game. If Jefferson wins, Game 2 is scheduled for 3 p.m.

“We haven’t been here in this situation the last two tournaments, we’ve had to fight back,” Crowder manager Travis Lallemand said about being in the winner’s bracket on Saturday. “It definitely feels good, especially the way we are pitching it. … The biggest thing right there is completing that run rule and keeping our best bullpen arm (Conner Floyd) to throwing minimal pitches. … It is lined up, and that’s all well and good, but I have been to Championship Saturday a lot and you still have to win.”

ON THE MOUND

Kaleb Hill earned the win on the bump after allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits, three walks and eight strikeouts on 112 pitches in six-plus innings of work. Conner Floyd worked a scoreless inning in relief, striking out one.

“He is a horse,” Lallemand said of Hill. “He is a guy they have to get to early because if they don’t, it’s tough to get to him. … I am very proud of him because that was a character game. … Huge for Kaleb and our guys. He did a great job.”

Bradyen Fetink took the loss for Jefferson after allowing five runs on seven hits, three walks and three strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Eli Ecton allowed four runs on no hits and four walks in 1/3 of an inning. Eli Rivera allowed one run on one hit and a walk without recording an out.

GAME ACTION

Jefferson got the scoring started in the first inning when Josh Gibson tripled off the wall in right field to lead off the game. In the next at-bat, Jack Rigino reached on an infield hit to first to score Gibson. 

Crowder didn’t wait long to take the lead. After Gavin Glasgow ripped a ball down the line in left for a double to lead off the inning, Frankie Circello blasted a ball over the wall in left-center field for a no-doubt two-run home run to give the Roughriders a 2-1 advantage. In the very next at-bat, Jeffry Mercado followed suit with a solo shot to right field for back-to-back homers to give Crowder a 3-1 lead.

“We have big-swing ability, not just two-strike and pesky hitters,” Lallemand said. “We have big-inning capabilities throughout the lineup, top to bottom, and I think that’s what has made us go throughout the year.”

Jefferson put the first two runners on in the top of the seventh, prompting a pitching change from Lallemand, who turned to Floyd. Floyd started things off with a strikeout before inducing a double-play ball back to himself, but the throw from second to first was wide to allow an unearned run to score. However, the Vikings’ baserunner was tagged out on the play after rounding first to end the threat.

“He has been our high-leverage guy all year,” Lallemand said of Floyd. “He has a really good arm, obviously, and fills it up. … What a great job keeping that a one-run game.”

Crowder got the run right back in the bottom of the seventh when Logan Chambers connected for a one-out solo home run to left-center to make the score 4-2.

“You make that a two-run game to where it’s not one swing of the bat in a situation where that can tie it,” Lallemand said. “The momentum was starting to shift their way, it really was. … Getting that big swing allowed us to relax and go back to what we do. … Logan Chambers is one of the best players in the country.”

After loading the bases later in the inning, Crowder put the game out of reach after two walks, a hit-by-pitch and another walk each forced in a run to make the score 8-2. Chambers, who homered earlier in the inning, ended the contest via run rule with a two-run double to right-center.

“We had some really good two-strike at-bats and fouled some good pitches off and then took our walks,” Lallemand said. “It was a really good game, and then we broke it open. … This is what we’ve done all year. It’s nothing new. We want to win with 2s—win with two strikes and with two outs. We finished the game there.”

IN THE BOX

Chambers led the Roughriders with a double, a home run, three RBI and a run scored. Glasgow had two hits, including a double, and scored two runs. Circello homered, had three RBI and scored twice, while Mercado homered, scored twice and drove in two.

COLLEGE BASEBALL: MSSU wins MIAA tourney opener

Posted on by Jason Peake

The 25th-ranked Missouri Southern baseball team got a 5-3 win in game one of a best-of-three series against Central Oklahoma today as the Lions and the Bronchos opened up the 2021 MIAA Baseball Championships at Warren Turner Field.

The Lions (30-11), got another stellar start from senior lefty Zach Parish as the MIAA Pitcher of the Year shined, going six innings, striking out nine and allowing just one unearned run in the first. Ryan Paschal threw an inning in relief, while Logan VanWey pitched the final two innings and struck out three to earn save number three of the season.

Dexter Swims drove in two crucial runs, while Jordan Fitzpatrick, Henry Kusiak and Clay Milas had two hits each. Fitzpatrick, Troy Gagan, Tommy Stevenson, Kusiak and Ryan Hunter all had a run scored, while Hunter hit home run number three on the season.

UCO (22-19) got on top first with an unearned run in the first inning, but the Lions answered right back and tied it in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single from Milas to score Fitzpatrick.

Hunter homered in the second to put the Lions up 2-1. Neither team scored until the seventh when the Lions got three runs across. Stevenson hit a single to left center to score Gagan and Swims singled home Kusiak and Stevenson.

The Bronchos added two more runs in the eighth, but it was not enough.

The two teams will be back at it tomorrow afternoon. First pitch has been pushed back to 3 p.m. due to expected weather in the area. With a win, the Lions will win the series and will advance to next weekend’s MIAA Tournament Finals which will be in Joplin at Warren Turner Field.

COLLEGE SOFTBALL: Missouri Southern falls to RSU at MIAA tourney

Posted on by Jason Peake

EDMOND, Okla. – The Missouri Southern softball program fell to Rogers State 2-1 today in the MIAA Softball Tournament at the Broncho Softball Field.

Rogers State (33-14-1) got a run in the first inning to begin the scoring for the afternoon. The Lions (30-15-1) responded with a run in the second inning off a Kara Amos single to right field that scored Leighton Withers.

The Hillcats got the go-ahead run in the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead.

Southern had one last chance to get another run across in the seventh inning as an Amos hit-by-pitch followed by a Kristen Wade sacrifice bunt moved her over to second base. Pitch hitting, Adrianna Young was then hit-by-pitch for runners on first and second before the Hillcats secured the last two outs for the win.

The Lions had hits by Makaila Leonhart and Amosm while Amos also pitched three scoreless innings of relief, striking out two.

Rogers State advances in the tournament to play hosts Central Oklahoma for a chance to make the championship game against Central Missouri.

The Lions will wait to see if they have been selected for the 2021 NCAA Division II Softball Championship. The selection show on Sunday night, with the field being announced at 9 pm on www.ncaa.com.

GIRLS SOCCER: Joplin ends regular season with win over Mustangs

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The Joplin High School girls soccer team ended the regular season in a big way by earning an 8-0 win over McDonald County on Thursday night.

Mya Johnson scored four goals for the Eagles, while Paisley Parker had three goals. 

Joplin led 6-0 at halftime. The match ended when Joplin recorded its eighth goal in the 49th minute.

Morgan Ferro scored Joplin’s first goal in the second minute, while Johnson scored her first goal of the night in the seventh minute. 

Parker’s first goal came in the 11th minute, while Johnson struck again in the 15th minute.

Parker scored in the 21st minute on a penalty kick to make it 5-0. 

Johnson scored Joplin’s sixth and seventh goals in the 33rd and 45th minute, respectively. 

Parker’s goal in the 49th minute, assisted by Sage Mitchell, ended the night. 

Joplin recorded 19 shots on-goal and McDonald County goalkeeper Samara Smith made 11 saves. 

The Mustangs had two shots on-goal, with Joplin goalie Serafina Auberry stopping both attempts. 

The Eagles won their second straight match to end the regular season. 

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Fourth-seeded Joplin (8-11) is at top-seeded Nixa (15-4) at 5 on Tuesday in the semifinals of the Class 4 District 11 tournament.

The other semifinal features No. 3 Carthage vs. No. 2 Republic.

PREP BASEBALL: Joplin wraps regular season with 2-1 win over Bolivar in eight innings

Posted on by Lucas Davis

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Kohl Cooper doubled with one out in the eighth inning and came around later in the inning to score on a passed ball to send Joplin past Bolivar 2-1 in eight innings in the regular season finale on Thursday.

The Eagles (18-10) took the early lead with a run in the second inning before the Liberators (12-8) added a single tally in the third to tie the game. Cooper’s run in the eighth broke a four-inning scoreless streak between both teams.

Josh Harryman earned the win in relief for Joplin, pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing one hit while striking out two. Fielding Campbell started and took a no-decision after allowing one run on four hits, two walks and six strikeouts in four innings. Cooper pitched 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings, allowing one hit, walking two and striking out five.

Ryan Hadank took the loss in relief after allowing one unearned run on one hit, three walks and four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Cooper Cribbs started and took a no-decision after allowing one run on six hits, a walk and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

David Fiscus, who also had a double, put Joplin on the board in the second inning with a one-out solo home run to left field. Justin McReynolds went 2-for-3 with a walk. 

Fifth-seeded Joplin takes on fourth-seeded Lebanon (18-7) in the first round of the Class 6 District 6 tournament with a 1:30 p.m. matchup on Monday at Springfield Central.

PREP SOFTBALL: Diamond advances to the state semifinals with 1-0 win over College Heights

Posted on by Lucas Davis

SARCOXIE, Mo. — It was a matchup between two of the top pitchers in the area with both of their respective teams trying to extend their historical seasons at least one game longer.

In the end, it was Diamond celebrating as a group in the middle of the field after defeating College Heights (with McAuley) 1-0 in the Class 2 quarterfinal round of the state tournament on Thursday.

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 20-2 on the season and advance to the state semifinals for the first time in school history. Diamond will take on Potosi (25-3) in the semifinals with a 4 p.m. matchup on May 21 at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield.

“I can’t thank my community enough,” Diamond coach Kelsey Parrish said. “So many people came out from both communities to show their support. It’s pretty awesome that for the first time in history we are going to the Final Four. It is just an awesome opportunity. The girls have worked really hard and deserve this.”

The Cougars’ season ends with an 18-4 record, making it to the quarterfinals for the first time in program history.

“The girls did such a fantastic job,” College Heights coach Mike Howard said. “Two years ago only winning three games, to turn this thing around and win 18 games, become conference champs, become district champs, it’s just such a testament to their hard work. … It was a very special season.”

College Heights graduates seniors Avery Good, Sarah Painter and Emi Kuhns.

“They’ve meant everything to us,” Howard said. “They’re such great kids and lead by example. They come to practice every single day and work hard. They lift the younger ones up and teach them. 

“That is what this team was defined by this year. They have such good camaraderie and that’s crazy because they are two rival schools that battle each other in every other sport and then come together, get along and be friends. When you combine that with talent, great things happen, and I think that’s what happened this year.”

As for the pitching matchup, Diamond junior Madi Bentley versus College Heights freshman Maddy Colin did not disappoint. 

Bently earned the complete-game win after allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out 14.

“Every single pitch was important out there, but I trust my defense and I know they have my back,” Bentley said about pitching in a one-run postseason game. “(That early run) was great. It gave me a little cushion and it boosted our confidence.”

“This is crazy,” Bentley added. “My freshman year, we got second place in districts. Now we’re going to the Final Four. It’s a dream come true.”

Colin was saddled with a complete-game loss after allowing one unearned run on six hits, no walks and nine strikeouts in six innings.

“I can’t say enough about that kid,” Howard said. “Just being a freshman and being able to keep her composure when things aren’t going her way. … It sucks the only run they scored was unearned tonight, but she did such a great job all year long in the circle for us. I just can’t say enough about her and her work ethic and everything she’s about. I am so fortunate to be her coach and I can’t wait to coach her for the next three years.”

The lone run of the game came in the second inning. Bentley had the game’s first hit, leading off the frame with a single through the left side. Bentley was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice ground ball off the bat of Lexy Bridges. Piper Brewer followed with a bunt hit before Leslie Watson loaded the bases after and in-between pop fly single in the infield. With Grace Irwin at the plate, a throw-back from the catcher to the pitcher was high and got away, allowing Bridges to take home for a 1-0 lead.

“I am just really proud of my girls being aggressive on the bases,” Parrish said. “All season, that’s what we’ve been working on—them seeing it before we see it. They just took advantage of the opportunity.”

College Heights’ lone hit of the game came with two outs in the top of the sixth when Jayli Johnson doubled to left-center field to put a runner in scoring position. A strikeout in the next at-bat ended the threat.

“We were not very disciplined today,” Howard said. “I think we let the game itself get to us. … The overall complexion of this game is we didn’t have very good approaches at the plate. We didn’t stay very disciplined up there and I think that really hurt us in the end.”

IN THE BOX

Bentley led the Wildcats at the plate with a 3-for-3 game, including a double. Caitlyn Suhrie, Beaver and Watson all had hits for Diamond.

Johnson’s double was the only for CHC, while Colin drew a walk to lead off the fifth inning as the Cougars’ first baserunner of the game.

PREP BASEBALL: Webb City blasts Kickapoo in regular season finale

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WEBB CITY, Mo. — The Webb City Cardinals are riding plenty of momentum into the postseason.

Webb City ended the regular season on a high note by blasting Kickapoo 11-1 in five innings on Thursday at Barnes Field. 

The highly-anticipated non-conference clash featured a pair of state-ranked squads who have locked up No. 1 seeds for their respective district tournaments. 

“That was a good way to end the regular season for sure,” Webb City coach Flave Darnell said. “Kickapoo’s a good team and they’re well-coached. I’m sure they didn’t play the way they wanted to tonight, but this was a solid win for us. Cole (Gayman) pitched well, we picked it up on defense and we got some timely hits against a really good team.” 

In the regular season finale, the Cardinals rode a nine-run third inning to secure what could be called a statement victory. 

“We knew it was going to be a good game against a great team and we knew we had to come out and play our best,” Webb City senior shortstop Treghan Parker said. “That’s the best we’ve looked all year. We’ve had some really good practices lately and that big inning really helped us tonight.” 

Now ranked second in Class 5 by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, Webb City ends the regular season with a record of 24-5.

The top seed for the Class 5 District 6 tournament, the Cardinals are taking a 10-game winning streak into the postseason. 

“We feel like we’ve got a lot of momentum and we feel like we’re playing our best baseball right now,” Darnell said. “Hopefully we can keep it up next week.”

The Cardinals ended the regular season with a pair of wins against state-ranked teams in Aurora and Kickapoo.

“We knew these last two non-conference games were going to be good games for us,” said Parker, a Missouri Southern recruit who is Webb City’s single-season leader in RBI. “We’ve faced some great teams lately and we really dominated. We’ve definitely got a lot of momentum going into next week.” 

Ranked seventh in Class 6, Kickapoo fell to 23-8. The Chiefs, the No. 1 seed in Class 6 District 6, had their 10-game winning streak snapped.

 

GAME RECAP

With the game scoreless, Webb City erupted for nine runs in a huge third inning.

In all, 15 batters came to the plate, and the Cardinals plated their nine runs on five hits, five walks, a fielder’s choice and an error.

Eric Fitch got things started with a single to left. Fitch, a junior second baseman, went to second on a wild pitch and then took third on a wild pickoff attempt.

“Eric’s been doing a great job for us from the nine-hole and the bottom of our lineup has been putting a lot of pressure on teams,” Darnell noted.  

Devrin Weathers hit an RBI double to left-center before Parker smacked a run-scoring triple into the right field corner. 

After Shane Noel walked, Matt Woodmansee delivered an RBI single, taking second on the throw. 

A fielder’s choice off the bat of Cole Gayman made it 4-0. 

Aiden Brock and Cade Wilson both walked. After a pitching change, Woodmansee scored from third on a wild pitch. 

After two outs, Weathers drew a bases-loaded walk before Parker lined a two-run single into center for an 8-0 lead.

The final tally of the inning came home after a Kickapoo error.

The Chiefs got on the board after an RBI double from Cole Murrell in the fourth, but the Cardinals answered back in the bottom half.

Brock and Wilson both singled before Eli Goddard delivered an RBI single into right. 

The hosts ended the game by pushing across a single tally in the bottom of the fifth.

Noel doubled to left, Woodmansee walked and Gayman was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Jeremiah Leaming then delivered a walk-off single to left that gave the Cardinals a dominant run-rule win.

 

NAMES & NUMBERS

Gayman once again dazzled on the mound. A senior right-hander, Gayman scattered four hits and struck out three in five innings to earn the win. 

Nine different players recorded a hit for the Cardinals. 

Parker went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Brock went 2-for-2, while Weathers and Woodmansee drove in two runs apiece. 

Kickapoo’s Cross Kubik took the loss after allowing seven earned runs on six hits in two innings. 

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Webb City hosts eighth-seeded Parkview at 5 p.m. on Tuesday in a district tourney opener. 

A win would put the Cardinals in the semifinals on Wednesday against either McDonald County or West Plains.

Parker noted the Cardinals have their postseason goals set high.

“We want to win our district and make it to the Final Four,” Parker said. “But our main goal is to win the state championship. We have big goals, but we’re going to take it game-by-game.”   

PREP BASEBALL: Latest MHSBCA rankings released

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association has released its rankings for May 14.

Webb City is ranked second in Class 5, while Carl Junction is ranked sixth. Polls are listed below.

CLASS 6

  1. Fort Zumwalt West
  2. Liberty North
  3. Francis Howell
  4. Lafayette (Wildwood)
  5. Liberty
  6. Vianney
  7. Kickapoo
  8. Hickman
  9. Lindbergh
  10. Park Hill South

Others receiving votes: Nixa, Timberland, CBC.

CLASS 5

  1. Parkway West
  2. Webb City
  3. Willard
  4. Westminster Christian
  5. Fort Zumwalt South
  6. Carl Junction
  7. Fort Zumwalt East
  8. Grain Valley
  9. Smithville
  10. Marshfield

Others receiving votes: Rockwood Summit, Borgia, Windsor Imperial, Glendale, DeSoto.

CLASS 4

  1. Springfield Catholic
  2. Kennett
  3. Blair Oaks
  4. Southern Boone
  5. Logan-Rogersville
  6. Aurora
  7. Valle Catholic
  8. Hollister
  9. Odessa
  10. Fatima

Others receiving votes: None.

CLASS 3

  1. Saxony Lutheran
  2. Hartville
  3. Skyline
  4. Kelly
  5. Conway
  6. Houston
  7. St. Pius X
  8. Carrollton
  9. Arcadia Valley
  10. El Dorado Springs

CLASS 2

  1. Iberia
  2. Campbell
  3. Marion C. Early
  4. Windsor
  5. Chafee
  6. Russellville
  7. Eugene
  8. Miller
  9. Marionville
  10. Crane

Others receiving votes: Gainesville, Salisbury, Putnam County, Purdy.

CLASS 1

  1. Oran
  2. La Plata
  3. Weaubleau
  4. South Iron
  5. St. Elizabeth
  6. Northwest
  7. Cooter
  8. North Harrison
  9. Northeast
  10. Pilot Grove

Others receiving votes: Advance, Leeton, Green City.

PREP TENNIS: Thomas Jefferson tops Webb City for team district title

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Thomas Jefferson Cavaliers continue to dominate on the tennis courts.

Top-seeded Thomas Jefferson defeated second-seeded Webb City 5-0 in the championship match of the Class 2 District 7 team tournament on Wednesday at the TJ courts.

“We took care of business,” Thomas Jefferson coach Tom Brumfield said. “All the guys went out and did what they were supposed to do. We set the tone in doubles. And when you do that, it makes everything a lot easier.”

Wednesday’s victory advanced the undefeated Cavaliers into the quarterfinal round of the Class 2 state tournament.  

“We’re excited about moving on,” Brumfield said. “We’ve got a well-balanced team. Our depth is good. And depth is what you really need to make a run at state.” 

It’s the third straight district team title for the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers started Wednesday’s dual on a positive note by sweeping all three doubles matches.

At No. 1 doubles, Noah Hamlett and Tyler Brouhard defeated Webb City’s Trenton Hayes and Cale Stephens 8-0.

Ian Ding and Hari Nagarajan beat Jackson Dill-Drake Miller 8-2 at No. 2 doubles and Prithvi Nagarajan and Lele Qian defeated Caiden Johnson-Tyler Wade 8-0 at No. 3.

The dual ended after the Cavs recorded two wins in singles play.

Ding defeated Hayes 6-0, 6-0 and Brouhard beat Dill 6-0, 6-1. The other singles matches were not completed. 

Of course, the Cavaliers previously competed in Class 1, but TJ was bumped up to Class 2 this season due to MSHSAA’s non-public school “championship factor” based on a program’s past success. 

The move up to Class 2 hasn’t really impacted the Cavs yet.

The Cavaliers are now 13-0 in dual matches. Thomas Jefferson has outscored its opponents 107-2 in those duals.

“Everyone is playing well for us,” Brumfield said. “They’ve gained some confidence by playing some bigger schools. I think that’s definitely helped with their confidence.” 

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Thomas Jefferson will host either Kearney or Platte County on Monday in a quarterfinal matchup of the Class 2 state team tournament.

A win next Monday would put the Cavs in the semifinals on May 28. 

Also, three members of the Cavaliers (Ding in singles and Hamlett-Brouhard in doubles) will compete at next Thursday and Friday’s individual state singles and doubles tournament in Springfield. 

Webb City’s Hayes and Stephens have also qualified for the individual state tourney in doubles.

 

COLLEGE SIGNINGS: Joplin’s Bruggeman signs to run for Mizzou

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

From the time he entered high school, Micah Bruggeman has dreamed of running at the NCAA Division I level. 

That dream will soon become a reality. 

A Joplin High School senior, Bruggeman signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to run track and cross country for the Missouri Tigers.

“It’s been my goal to go D-I and I felt like they put the most effort into recruiting me,” Bruggeman said. “I got to go to Mizzou’s campus and I met some of their guys in person and it was really nice. I really enjoyed it there. I just really like their program. I’ve spent most of my life in Joplin, so it’s nice to stay in Missouri. And the SEC is a really talented and loaded conference, so I’ll get to compete and train with some of the best.” 

Micah Bruggeman has had a standout track and cross country career at Joplin High School. He’s taking his talents to the University of Missouri.

Throughout his prep career, Bruggeman has made multiple trips to state in both cross country and track and field. 

Joplin distance coach Dustin Dixon noted Bruggeman has definitely left his mark on both the cross country and track programs.

“Micah has been so integral to the success that our teams have had over the past four years,” Dixon said. “He leaves us having run a top-three time in all four distance events in our school’s history. He has the third-fastest 5K time in cross country, the second-fastest 800 time, third-fastest two-mile and the fastest mile in school history (4:18). He will be very difficult to replace and we’re going to miss him.” 

Bruggeman reached the state podium in his signature event, the 800-meter run, in both of his first two years of high school track and field, finishing third as a sophomore after taking fifth as a freshman. 

Bruggeman also reached the podium in the 1600 as a sophomore, finishing sixth. 

After such a stellar sophomore season, which also included conference, district and sectional championships in the 800, Bruggeman was poised to have a big junior year. The coronavirus pandemic eliminated a 2020 spring season.

This spring, Bruggeman has been bothered by a nagging injury, but he finished second in the 800 (1:58) and third in the 1600 (4:25) at last week’s Central Ozark Conference Meet.

Bruggeman noted the key to his success has been simple—hard work. 

“As I look back on what I’ve done and all the work I’ve put in, there’s been a lot of sweat,” Bruggeman said. “I’ve ran with and raced against so many guys. I’ve watched other guys go to different places and now it’s my turn.”

The Eagles will compete at the district meet this Saturday in Nixa, with sectional and state meets to follow. 

Bruggeman, who expects to focus on the 800 and 1600 at the next level, said he’s ready to finish his prep career on a high note.

“I want to make the most of the meets I’ve got left,” said Bruggeman, who also played basketball for Jeff Hafer’s Eagles during his prep career. “I’ve already had my last day of school, so I’m just focusing on track now. I hope to finish this season strong.” 

 

Joplin senior Micah Bruggeman is pictured with his parents, Jared and Maria, at Wednesday’s signing ceremony at JHS. Also pictured at left is JHS distance coach Dustin Dixon. Micah signed to run track and cross country at Mizzou.

 

 

PREP BASEBALL: Carl Junction beats St. Mary’s Colgan in season finale

Posted on by Lucas Davis

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Carl Junction (17-9) scored five runs in the first three innings on the way to a 6-3 win over St. Mary’s Colgan to close the regular season at Jaycee Ballpark on Tuesday.

After Carson Johnson walked before coming around to score the game’s first run to open the first inning, Dylan Eck pushed the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single through the left side to plate Drew Beyer. Drendyn Downs singled home a run in the next at-bat to push the lead to three.

Colgan answered with a run in the second in the form of an RBI single by Janko Kalan, but Carl Junction answered back in the third with a pair of run-scoring doubles. Alex Baker doubled to center to score Noah Southern, while Downs doubled to center to score Baker with two outs to extend the lead to 5-1. 

Johnson scored in the fourth on error to put the lead at 6-1.

Colgan added a run in the sixth and a run in the seventh off an RBI single from Caleb Hamilton to trim the lead in half. 

Baker earned the win on the mound after allowing one unearned run on six hits, two walks and five strikeouts in three innings. Noah Southern pitched three innings of relief and allowed one run on five hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Kyler Perry pitched one inning of relief and allowed one run on three hits and a strikeout.

Downs had three hits, including a double, and two RBI to lead the Bulldogs. Baker doubled, drove in one and scored one. Beyer had two hits and scored a run.

Carl Junction hosts Neosho in the first round of Class 5 District 6 play at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

PREP BASEBALL: Carthage suffers road loss at Rogers

Posted on by Jason Peake

ROGERS, Ark.  — The Carthage Tigers simply couldn’t get the bats going in a 7-1 loss at Rogers on Tuesday. 

The Tigers (8-18) were limited to two hits, one apiece by Sylas Browning and Kaden Kralicek.

Carthage plated a run in the second, as Browning doubled and later scored on an error after Max Templeman’s bunt. 

The Mounties tied the game with a single tally in the bottom of the second. 

Rogers then plated two runs apiece in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a comfortable 7-1 lead.

Ty Frakes went 3-for-3 with two runs scored for Rogers (22-7), while Noah Goodshield added two hits and an RBI. 

Danny Burns pitched five innings for the Mounties and allowed two hits. Karsen Uecker and Braxton Haywood tossed one scoreless inning apiece.

Carthage’s Kaden Arr took the loss, but he only allowed three runs on three hits in four innings. Mason Utter allowed four runs on six hits in two innings. 

Carthage meets Republic at 4 on Monday in Springfield in an opening round game of the Class 6 District 6 tournament. 

 

GIRLS SOCCER: Johnson leads Joplin to Senior Night win over Neosho

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

On the night she and her classmates were recognized, senior Mya Johnson recorded a pair of goals as the Joplin High School girls soccer team defeated Neosho 2-1 on Tuesday at the JHS athletic complex.

The Eagles celebrated Senior Night, and Johnson did her part to make sure the hosts earned a win.

Johnson scored on a free kick in the eighth minute. Johnson’s second goal came in the 28th minute and was assisted by Kayla Talbot.

Avery Renfro scored Neosho’s goal in the 30th minute. Erika Ornelas assisted on the play.

Joplin (7-11, 1-8 COC) had nine shots on-goal and Neosho goalkeeper Shelby Roberts made seven saves.

Neosho (8-13, 0-9 COC) recorded seven shots on-goal and JHS senior Reece Schroer made six saves. 

Joplin hosts McDonald County at 6:30 on Thursday. Neosho meets Carl Junction next Monday in a district tournament clash. 

 

PREP TENNIS: Cavaliers, Cardinals advance to district title match

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Top-seeded Thomas Jefferson defeated fourth-seeded Belton 5-0 and second-seeded Webb City topped third-seeded Carl Junction 5-0 in semifinal contests of the Class 2 District 7 boys tennis tournament on Tuesday.

For the Cavaliers, Noah Hamlett and Tyler Brouhard defeated Irk Irvin-Jacob Dolphin 8-4, Ian Ding and Hari Nagarajan beat Xavier Diamond-Caden Petzold 8-0 and Christopher Wheelen-Lele Qian beat Carson Dent-Omar Martinez 8-0.

In singles, Hamlett defeated Dolphin 6-0, 6-1 and Prithvi Nagarajan defeated Martinez 6-0, 6-0.

The Cavaliers will host the Cardinals at 3 on Wednesday for the district championship.

PREP BASEBALL: Webb City knocks off Aurora in clash between state-ranked teams

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

AURORA, Mo. — Webb City rode a big first inning to a 6-1 win over Aurora on Tuesday in a clash between state-ranked teams.

The Cardinals pushed across four runs in the first inning and added a single tally in both the second and third innings.

The Houn’ Dawgs scored their lone run in the sixth. 

Ranked third in Class 5, Webb City hiked its record to 23-5. Ranked fourth in Class 4, Aurora slipped to 16-7.

Senior center fielder Devrin Weathers recorded his 51st hit of the season, a new single-season school record. 

Senior shortstop Treghan Parker had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Parker hit his seventh home run of the season. 

Shane Noel and Matt Woodmansee had two hits apiece for the Cardinals. 

Eric Fitch was the winning pitcher. He went five innings and allowed just one unearned run on one hit while striking out six. Cooper Crouch tossed two scoreless innings in relief, striking out two.

Trey Mulholland took the loss after allowing six runs on 11 hits in seven innings. He struck out two and walked three. 

Jaesik Friggle had Aurora’s lone hit, while Mulholland had his team’s only RBI. 

In the four-run first, Parker doubled to center and scored on Noel’s RBI single to left. 

Woodmansee then drove in Noel with a run-scoring single to left. Woodmansee later scored on Aiden Brock’s sacrifice bunt before Cade Wilson contributed an RBI groundout. 

Parker homered to right in the second.

Eli Goddard delivered an RBI single to right in the third for a 6-0 lead.

In the sixth, Friggle singled to left, went to second on an error and then took third on a fly out.

Friggle scored on Mulholland’s groundout. 

Webb City hosts Kickapoo at 4:30 on Thursday.

PREP BASEBALL: Joplin senior Fielding Campbell sends Eagles home with walk-off win on Senior Night

Posted on by Lucas Davis

If you subscribe to the notion that baseball is poetry in motion then you’ll certainly appreciate the ending to Joplin’s final home game of the season.  

On a day where the weather felt more like the first game of the season than the second-to-last, Joplin honored its seniors in the best way possible after the Eagles earned a 1-0 walk-off win over Lamar thanks to senior Fielding Campbell’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the bottom of the seventh inning on Tuesday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

“You want them to have a positive memory of walking off the field the last time they get to play a game here,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said. “I don’t know if there is anything more exciting or memorable than a walk-off win.”

Joplin senior Fielding Campbell celebrates with teammates after coming up with a walk-off fielder’s choice in the Eagles’ win over Lamar on Senior Night. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

Campbell came up with the game-winning at-bat to earn the victory for Joplin, hitting a bases-loaded chopper to the left side of the drawn-in infield that allowed Justin McReynolds to beat the throw home with a head-first slide to push across the winning run.

“It was a great feeling,” Campbell said of the win. “It was a slow game for us today. We couldn’t really get anything going. We knew we were going to have to grind something out. In the seventh inning, we knew we had to put something on the board. The first couple of batters really just battled out at-bats and found a way to get on. I came up and on my first two pitches I had the idea of hitting a line drive but I fell behind early, so I had to choke up and find a way to put something in play.”

With both offenses failing to reach the scoreboard through the first 39 outs of the game, the Eagles started the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff walk. Small ball played a big role in loading the bases, as Brady Mails and senior Carson Wampler dropped down back-to-back perfect bunts down the first-base line that were intended to be sacrificial before both runners beat them out for base hits.

“We’ve talked about it all year,” Wolf said. “It doesn’t have to be a huge, dynamic type of thing that gets the job done. Sometimes, it’s very simply putting pressure on people by getting bunts down and putting the ball in play. … Eventually, if you keep putting the ball in play, you feel like you are going to break through.”

After an infield fly for an out, Campbell found himself in an early 0-2 hole before battling his way to the walk-off fielder’s choice.

“Fielding is a grinder and a competitor,” Wolf said. “He got down with two strikes and I felt confident he was going to put the ball in play somewhere. With the infield in, if he can put the ball in play, we have a chance. … Justin got a great break from third and had a good read on it and was able to get there.”

Joplin’s Justin McReynolds slides into home to score the winning run in the Eagles’ walk-off victory over Lamar on Tuesday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

SENIOR NIGHT

Prior to the game, Joplin held Senior Night ceremonies for Campbell, Wampler, David Fiscus, Kirk Chandler, Josh Harryman, Alex Curry and Kohl Cooper.
“That is a pretty special group,” Wolf said of his seniors. “I was talking with the coaches before the game, and that is the first group that we’ve had for four years. … That is a pretty special group. I am not going to lie to you, when I look out there and see them, knowing they’ve been with us all that time, there was a high pollen count in the air I guess. … I am very proud of them for grinding that one out.”

“It was really cool,” Campbell said when asked how it felt for the senior class to win in a walk-off in the final home game. “We have been playing together for at last eight or nine years now. It’s a really cool feeling and it’s been a fun ride. Hopefully, we can keep it going into districts.” 

ON THE MOUND

Normally the team’s back-end option out of the pen, Harryman opened the game for the Eagles and earned a no-decision after holding the Tigers scoreless without allowing a hit and striking out three in two innings.

“Josh got the start tonight and that’s out of his element a little bit,” Wolf said. “When you do that, the routine is different and things like that. I thought he competed well.”

Joplin senior Josh Harryman delivers a pitch to home in the Eagles’ win over Lamar on Tuesday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

Chandler, who retired nine straight to end the game, earned the win after blanking Lamar over five full innings on one hit, no walks and seven strikeouts.

“Kirk came out and just was really good,” Wolf said. “Kirk was the Kirk Chandler that we know he can be tonight. He pounded the zone and threw his curveball for strikes. He did a really good job.” 

Missouri Southern commit Case Tucker started for Lamar and didn’t allow a run in three innings, giving up four hits and striking out two. Stetson Wiss pitched three no-hit innings and struck out two. Ryan Davis took the loss after allowing one run on two hits and a walk in 1/3 of an inning.

IN THE BOX

In a game that saw seven combined hits, Joplin finished with six of them. Curry led the Eagles with a 2-for-3 game, while Cooper, Harryman, Mails and Wampler all recorded base hits. Campbell had the lone RBI of the game, while McReynolds scored the only run.

Cade Griffith had the only hit for Lamar in the loss.

SCHEDULE CHANGE

The win against Lamar was originally scheduled as Joplin’s final regular game of the season. Joplin will now travel to Bolivar for a matchup on Thursday to wrap the regular season.

“Late in the year, you want to play more than you want to practice,” Wolf said about adding the game against the Liberators. “It’s an opportunity to play against a good program. Anytime you can do that, you take advantage of it.”

Joplin senior Kirk Chandler delivers a pitch to home during the Eagles’ win over Lamar on Tuesday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

DISTRICTS LOOMING

Joplin earned the fifth seed in the Class District 6 tournament. The Eagles square off against fourth-seeded Lebanon at 1:30 p.m. on May 17 at Springfield Central.

GIRLS SOCCER: Bemo’s goal lifts Webb City past Carthage

Posted on by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City’s girls soccer team defeated rival Carthage 1-0 on Tuesday in the final Central Ozark Conference contest of the season.

Webb City’s Anea Bemo scored an unassisted goal in the 16th minute. It was the lone goal of the night.

Webb City is now 18-3 and the Cardinals went 8-1 in the COC, good for second place.

Carthage fell to 12-7 and 5-4 in the conference. 

Webb City is at Fair Grove on Thursday. Carthage meets Republic next Tuesday in a district tournament contest.

 

 

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