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Month: March 2022

BOYS GOLF: Carthage tops Joplin, Carl Junction, Webb City at Briarbrook quad

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Two strokes proved to be the difference as the Carthage High School boys golf team took first place at a four-team tournament on a rain-chilled Wednesday at Briarbrook Golf Course. 

Like Tuesday’s season opener in Carthage, not much separated the local teams at Wednesday’s quadrangular.

Carthage finished with a four-person score of 159, while Joplin was second with a 161 and Carl Junction finished third with a 162. Webb City took fourth with a 167.

Joplin’s Wyatt Satterlee was the medalist with a 1-over-par 37. 

Four players were just one stroke back, as Joplin’s Harry Satterlee and Hobbs Campbell, Carl Junction’s Zach Wrensch and Carthage’s Owen Derryberry all carded 38 and tied for second place on the individual leaderboard. 

Four other players were just two strokes back of the medalist, as Carthage’s duo of Britt Coy and Max Templeman, Webb City’s Braxten Cahoon and Carl Junction’s Jack Spencer all turned in scores of 39.

Webb City’s Keegon Dill shot a 40. Webb City’s Levi Lassiter and Carl Junction’s Jacob Teeter carded 42, while Carthage’s Ben Nicholas and Carl Junction’s Noah Williams both turned in scores of 43.

Webb City’s Josh Howard (46) and Joplin’s Gabe DeLeon (48) rounded out the field. 

The fifth golfer on each team was unable to finish due to the rain, Carl Junction coach Ryan Jones said. 

Local golf teams will compete at Twin Hills on Monday.

 

BOYS GOLF ROUNDUP: Satterlee leads Joplin to first place at ’22 opener; Cavaliers earn win at Schifferdecker

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

JOPLIN WINS OPENER, CARTHAGE EDGES WEBB CITY, CJ FOR SECOND

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Harry Satterlee carded a 1-under-par 34 to lead the Joplin High School boys golf team to a first place showing on Tuesday at the Carthage Golf Course.

In the first tournament of the spring, a four-team outing, Joplin finished with a four-person score of 154. Carthage was second with a 165, while Webb City was third with a 166 and Carl Junction finished with a 168.

Harry Satterlee finished on top of the leaderboard to earn medalist honors, while teammate Wyatt Satterlee and Carthage’s Britt Coy both turned in identical scores of 38 to tie for second place.

Carl Junction’s Jack Spencer and Carthage’s Ben Nicholas both shot 39, while Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell and Webb City’s duo of Keegon Dill and Josh Howard all carded 40.

Joplin’s Gabe DeLeon, Carl Junction’s Jacob Teeter, Webb City’s Braxten Cahoon and Carthage’s Owen Derryberry all finished with scores of 42. 

Carl Junction’s Tommy Walker shot a 43, while teammate Zach Wrensch and Webb City’s Levi Lassiter carded 44. 

Also competing for the host Tigers were Max Templeman (46) and Colson Brust (50), while Cooper Forth (48) also competed for the Cardinals. 

Carl Junction’s Noah Williams carded 46 and Joplin’s Dylan Bozarth shot 49. 

The same four squads will compete at Briarbrook on Wednesday, with the action beginning at 3 p.m.

 

CAVALIERS EARN WIN AT SCHIFFERDECKER

The Thomas Jefferson Cavaliers won a three-team tournament on Tuesday at Schifferdecker Golf Course.

The Cavaliers finished with a four-person score of 202, while McAuley Catholic finished with a 219 and New Covenant took third with a 220.

New Covenant’s Jackson McRoberts earned medalist honors with a 40.

McAuley’s Joe Staton carded 48 and was the tourney’s runner-up. 

Leading the way for the Cavaliers were Jake Jarrett and Caden Myers, as both players carded 49 and tied for third place.

Also competing for Thomas Jefferson were Luke Miller (51), Tony Touma (53) and Jack Tyrrell (54).

Also competing for the Warriors were Bradley Wagner (53), Jeffery Horinek (58), Chase Gardner (60) and Rocco Bazzano-Joseph (63).

 

SOFTBALL: College Heights earns third straight win with victory over Exeter

Posted on by Lucas Davis

EXETER, Mo. — College Heights (with McAuley) built an early lead and added on late to seal an 8-5 win over Exeter on Tuesday.

The Cougars (3-1) built a 4-0 lead after two innings before a four-run fourth by Exeter trimmed the advantage to 5-4. College Heights added an insurance run in the fifth and added two more in the sixth on the way to its third straight win.

Maddy Colin earned the win after allowing five runs, three earned, on five hits and 17 strikeouts in seven complete innings.

Aubry Antle took the loss after allowing eight runs, seven earned, on 13 hits, two walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings.

Kloee Williamson highlighted the three-run second inning with a two-run triple and added an inside-the-park home run in the fourth. Addie Lawrence had an RBI triple in the top of the sixth and Colin followed it with an RBI single.

Colin, who had one RBI, and Williamson led College Heights at the plate with four hits each. Williamson tripled and scored a game-high four runs to go along with a game-high three RBI. Jayli Johnson had a hit, drove in one and scored a run. Lawrence tripled, scored a run and drove in one, and Kaitlyn Bates doubled and had a run scored. 

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Webb City wins third straight; Neosho surpasses last year’s win total; Carthage falls at Helias; Carl Junction suffers loss to Aurora

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WEBB CITY 9, MONETT 2

MONETT, Mo. — Webb City extended its winning streak to three and got back to .500 on the season with a 9-2 victory over Monett on Tuesday at North Park.

The Cardinals, who improved to 3-3, plated their nine runs on 11 hits and took advantage of seven walks. Webb City used two big innings to take control, a three-run first and a four-run seventh. 

Monett, now 1-4, was limited to four hits. 

Webb City plated three runs on three hits and two errors in the top of the first inning. Kenley Hood and Aidan Brock drove in runs with singles before the third run scored on a passed ball.

The Cardinals added a run in the fourth, as Kaylor Darnell singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of William Hayes.

Monett took advantage of two Webb City errors to get on the board in the bottom of the fourth. 

In the top of the fifth, Cy Darnell’s RBI double to center allowed Hood to score and gave the Cardinals a 5-1 lead. 

Webb City added four insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Jeremiah Leaming singled with the bases loaded before a walk made it 7-1. Hayes followed with a two-run single. 

Monett’s Josh Wallace homered in the bottom of the seventh for the final margin.

Hood, Hayes and Cy Darnell had two hits apiece for the Cardinals, while Brock and Kaylor Darnell scored two runs apiece. 

Webb City senior left-hander Gavin Stowell was the winning pitcher. He allowed just one hit in four innings, striking out eight and walking six.

Gage Chapman allowed one run on three hits and struck out two in three innings of relief.

Monett’s Marcus Young gave up four runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks in three innings. Alex Huntress and Isaac Lindsey pitched in relief for the Cubs, who stranded the bases loaded in both the third and fourth innings. 

Wallace was the lone Cub to record two hits. 

Webb City hosts Springfield Catholic at 4:30 on Thursday. 

 

NEOSHO 5, ST. MARY’S COLGAN 0

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Neosho held St. Mary’s Colgan off the scoreboard on the way to a road win on Tuesday.

The Wildcats surpassed their win total from last season with the victory over the Panthers, improving their record to 5-1.

Austin Rodriguez earned the win and complete-game shutout. He scattered five hits, walked one and struck out nine over seven innings.

Kaden Vogel took the loss after allowing one run in 2/3 of a relief inning. SMC used eight total pitches in the contest.

Matt Velasco singled to right in the top of the third inning to score Carson Williams to give Neosho the first lead of the game. Velasco picked up an RBI in the fifth on a groundout to make the score 2-0.

Quenton Hughes tripled to right field to plate a run in the seventh, which was followed by a two-run double to left by River Brill two batters later to wrap the scoring at 5-0.

Hughes had three hits, scored a run and drove in one. Brill had two hits and two RBI, while Velasco had a hit, two RBI and scored a run.

Neosho is at Joplin on Thursday.

 

HELIAS CATHOLIC 15, CARTHAGE 5

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Carthage fell to 2-4 on the season after a non-conference loss to Helias Catholic. 

Both teams plated five runs in the first inning before the Crusaders scored 10 unanswered runs to end the game early.

With the game deadlocked, the Crusaders scored twice in the second inning, five times in the third and three more times in the fifth to win via run-rule.

Braxdon Tate drove in two runs on one hit for the Tigers, while Caden Kabance, Kanen Vogt, Sylas Browning and Clay Kinder had one hit apiece.

Zach Geter took the loss on the mound after allowing four earned runs on six hits in two innings. 

Helias Catholic’s Cole Peters was the winning pitcher. He scattered three hits and struck out five in five inning scoreless innings of relief. 

Helias’ Jaden Kolb went 3-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored, while Sam Wyrick drove in three runs on three hits. 

Carthage hosts Nevada at 4:30 on Thursday. 

 

AURORA 6, CARL JUNCTION 3

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The game was deadlocked after seven innings when Aurora pushed across three runs in the top of the eighth inning.

Aurora’s Jaesik Friggle went 3-for-3, while Trey Mulholland, Hayze Hoffman, Kelton Brown, Aaron Fisher and Heath Hoffman all recorded two hits apiece. 

Hayze Hoffman gave up three runs on three hits in one inning for the Houn’ Dawgs, while Mulholland pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out eight.

Carl Junction used four pitchers. Logan Eck went four innings and allowed two earned runs with three strikeouts, while Lucas Vanlanduit did not allow an earned run in two innings of work. 

Jordan Woodruff gave up three runs in 1 2/3 innings, while Hunter Cantrell recorded one out. 

Carl Junction’s Vanlanduit went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Kyler Perry and Drew Massey added two hits apiece. 

The Bulldogs (1-5) are at Frontenac on Thursday.

BOYS TENNIS ROUNDUP: Thomas Jefferson improves to 2-0; Neosho drops match to Monett

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

CAVALIERS IMPROVE TO 2-0

The Thomas Jefferson boys tennis team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 9-0 win over New Covenant Academy on Tuesday. 

In singles matches, Ian Ding defeated Brody Bennett 8-4, Prithvi Nagarajan beat Aidan Russ 8-2, Tyler Brouhard handled Elijah Davis 8-0, Chengle Qian beat Jackson O’Dell 8-0, Devan Murali defeated Cameron Coring 8-0 and Jack Goodhue beat Juliana Jones 8-0.

In doubles, Ding-Brouhard beat Bennett-Henderson 8-1, Nagarajan-Murali defeated Davis-O’Dell 8-3 and Qian-Goodhue knocked off Coring-Jones 8-0.

Thomas Jefferson hosts Carl Junction on Wednesday at 4. 

 

NEOSHO DROPS OPENER TO MONETT

NEOSHO, Mo. — Monett defeated Neosho 8-1 in a boys tennis dual on Tuesday.

The Cubs swept all six singles matches.

Ethan Kutz defeated Christian Williams 8-1, Jackson Young beat Ryno Lee 8-0, Elijah Ridenour topped Chandler Weber 8-0, Heisman Welch defeated Peyton Williams 8-0, Logan Kutz beat Jacob Leibham 8-1 and Caden Szydloski defeated Wesley Williams 8-4.

At No. 1 doubles, Neosho’s Christian Williams and Lee beat Ethan Kutz-Welch 9-8 (7-5).

Monett’s Young-Logan Kutz beat Weber Leibham 8-1 at No. 2 doubles and Ridenour-Szydloski defeated Peyton Williams-Wesley Williams 8-2.

Neosho is at Mount Vernon on Thursday. 

 

BASEBALL: Joplin holds off McDonald County for 11-8 win

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Joplin scored eight runs in the first two innings to build a sizable cushion on the way to an 11-8 win over McDonald County on a windy Tuesday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

“We talked yesterday about how we are three or four hits from flipping that record a little bit and thinking about things a lot differently,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said. “It was awesome to see the kids come out and execute some at-bats early. I thought our approach at the plate was great. There were two-strike hits, two-out hits and we took the ball back-side when we needed to. It was great to get out to that lead because it gives Brady (Mails), as the starting pitcher, a little bit of confidence to give us what we needed from him. It just felt good to break out a little bit and see some balls land in the green.”

The Eagles (3-5) scored five runs in the first inning and three more in the second to build an 8-1 lead. The Mustangs (6-2) rallied back with three runs in the third and two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings. However, with each crooked number McDonald County hung up in the middle innings, Joplin answered back with an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame to stave off the comeback.

“You have to credit Joplin because they swung the bat really well,” McDonald County coach Kevin Burgi said. “We talk about how baseball is a boxing match. We knew we were going to get hit a little bit with the way the conditions were, but our kids battled. They found ways to put pressure on Joplin, but Joplin did a great job of doing that to us as well.”

Joplin’s Joe Jasper delivers to home plate during the Eagles’ win over McDonald County on Tuesday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

ON THE MOUND

Mails earned the win for Joplin after allowing six runs, four earned, on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Joe Jasper allowed two unearned runs on one hit, two walks and a strikeout in 1 2/3 relief innings. Ethan Guilford earned the save after pitched two scoreless relief innings, surrendering three hits and walking one.

“Every one of those guys did exactly what we asked them to do in the innings they were out there,” Wolf said. “I am very proud of their effort on the mound today against a really-well coached and good offensive baseball team.”

Cross Dowd started and took the loss after allowing eight runs on eight hits, three walks and a strikeout in 1 1/3 innings. Colton Ruddick allowed three runs, one earned, on three hits, three walks and three strikeouts in three relief innings. Destyn Dowd allowed one hit and walked one in 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings.

GAME ACTION

McDonald County held the first lead on the scoreboard after Cole Martin led the game off with a single before coming around to score on a sacrifice fly from Levi Helm.

Joplin responded quickly, scoring five runs on six hits in the bottom half of the first to take a 5-1 lead.

“We talk a lot about the approach to the game within the game—extending the lead of answering when they score,” Wolf said about responding to the Mustangs’ run right away. “I thought we did a good job of that tonight. We scored in every inning but the sixth, and after you get a big crooked number in the first inning, that puts all the pressure on them to play from behind.”

Joplin’s Brady Mails and Byler Reither (6) converge on an infield popup, with Mails making the catch. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

Bodee Carlson started the bottom of the first with a double to center field. Two batters later, Kyler Stokes singled to left to put runners at the corners. Stokes stole second to get into scoring position with Guilford following with a two-run single to center to give Joplin a 2-1 lead. 

Joplin closed out the inning by proving the adage of ‘hitting is contagious’ to be true, as the Eagles followed with three more base hits—highlighted by back to back RBI singles from Layten Copher and Tyler Schumann—to make it five straight singles for Joplin while pushing the lead to 5-1.

“We have been working towards that all year,” Wolf said about the first-inning hit parade. “I hope our guys can see that when they take that kind of approach, we can string some things together and be a pretty good offensive team. … It was a light of line drives around the field after good at-bats with good swings in rhythm and on time.”

Joplin played add-on in the second inning, with Copher tripling to right field, plating Stokes and Justin McReynolds to push the lead to 7-1. Jackson Queen doubled to center with two outs later in the inning to score Copher and extend the lead to 8-1.

McDonald County began its rally in the top of the third, scoring three runs on four hits, highlighted by an RBI single from Helm and an RBI double from Isaac Behm.

Stokes gave the Eagles an insurance run in the bottom of the third with a solo home run to left field.

McDonald County added two unearned runs in the fourth inning on a throwing error by Joplin, with the Eagles adding an unearned run on the bottom half on a fielding error by McDonald County to make the score 10-6.

Fischer Sanny brought the Mustangs within two of the lead with a sac fly in the fifth inning after a run came home on an Eagle throwing error to trim the deficit to 10-8.

“Our guys did a little bit better job of waiting back in the box our second time through,” Burgi said of his team’s offensive approach when rallying. “I thought that was really big because we were able to find more barrel.”

Joplin added its final insurance run in the bottom of the inning when Schumann drove in a run after reaching on an infield hit with the bases loaded.

Joplin’s Layten Copher singles to right field for two RBI in the first inning in the Eagles’ win over McDonald County. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

IN THE BOX

Stokes led Joplin at the plate with three hits, including a home run, to go along with three runs scored and an RBI. Copher finished with two hits, including a triple, and had a team-high three RBI and three runs scored. Guilford doubled, had two hits, two RBI and scored a run. McReynolds had two hits and scored twice. Schumann had a hit and drove in two.

Martin led McDonald County with three hits and two runs scored. Behm doubled on the way to two hits and an RBI. Tucker Walkers had a hit and scored twice.

ON DECK

Joplin hosts Neosho on Thursday.

McDonald County is at Branson on Friday.

TRACK & FIELD: College Heights competes at Republic Classic, Lawrence wins three events

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

REPUBLIC, Mo. — The College Heights Christian track and field squads competed at the Republic Classic on Monday.

The College Heights girls finished sixth in the team standings with 56.5 points, while the CHC boys finished ninth in the standings with 27 points. 

There were 13 teams in attendance. Class 5 Republic claimed both team titles. 

The top five girls teams were Republic (190), Clinton (94), Spokane (78), Aurora (65) and Fair Grove (60). 

The top five boys teams were Republic (184.5), Fair Grove (126.5), Strafford (85), Springfield Catholic (78) and Clinton (59).

For the College Heights girls, junior standout Addie Lawrence won three individual events—the 100-meter dash (12.7 seconds), the 200 (26.9) and the 400 (1:01).

CHC’s Lauren Ukena finished third in the 200 and was fourth in the 300 hurdles, while Maddy Colin placed fourth in the high jump.

The CHC girls placed third in the 4×400 relay, with Jayli Johnson, Lawrence, Ukena and Katie Moss competing. College Heights finished sixth in the 4×800, with Marla Anderegg, Madelynn Jordan, Moss and Emily Winters running.

For the College Heights boys, Caleb Quade took fourth in the 800 (2:18), with teammate Derrick McMillan eighth in the same event (2:23). Colsen Dickens finished sixth in the 400 (56.1). 

Ethan Ukena placed fourth in the triple jump.

College Heights took fourth in the 4×400 relay in 3:53, with Zach Beaty, Dickens, McMillan and Quade competing. 

The Cougars placed fifth in the 4×100 relay in 47.7 seconds, with Beaty, Dickens, Ukena and Matt Williams competing. 

College Heights was also fifth in the 4×200, as Beaty, Dickens, Quade and Ukena recorded a time of 1:40. 

The Cougars will compete at the Galena Bulldog Relays on Thursday. 

 

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: McDonald County and McAuley earn road wins

Posted on by Lucas Davis

MCDONALD COUNTY 5, SHILOH CHRISTIAN 2
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — McDonald County built a three-run lead through the first three innings on the way to a win at Shiloh Christian on Monday.

The Mustangs (6-1) scored a run in the first inning to take the lead before scoring twice in the third inning to go up 3-0. McDonald County added a tally in the fifth before Shiloh Christian got on the scoreboard with two runs in the bottom of the inning to trim the lead to 4-2. The Mustangs wrapped the scoring with an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning.

Isac Behm earned the win after allowing two runs on five hits, a walk and four strikeouts in six innings of work. Cross Dowd earned the save after striking out the side in a perfect seventh inning.

Hudson Ball took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits, five walks and two strikeouts in two innings.

After McDonald County scored a run in the first inning on a passed ball, the Mustangs pushed across two in the third with an RBI single from Behm and a sacrifice fly from Destyn Dowd. Dowd picked up his second RBI in the fifth after scoring Behm from second with a single, and Fisher Sanny wrapped the Mustangs’ scoring with an RBI single in the seventh. 

Behm had two hits, including a double, an RBI and scored a run, while Destyn Dowd had a hit and two RBI. Weston Gordon had a hit and scored twice, while Cross Dowd and Levi Helm each had a hit and scored a run. Sanny had two hits and drove in one.

 

MCAULEY 7, VERONA 1

VERONA, Mo. — McAuley Catholic scored seven runs on 12 hits to beat Verona on Monday.

Kable Reichardt struck out 10 in a complete-game win. Joe Staton led the offense with three hits.

 

BOYS GOLF: Webb City returns several golfers with high hopes in 2022

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Despite graduating a pair of state qualifiers last season, Webb City has high hopes for 2022 with several golfers back with varsity experience as well as a talented group of newcomers to lead the way.

“We are very excited, as there is a lot of competition for the five varsity spots with some quality golfers,” Webb City coach Jackson Boyer said. “We will improve tremendously as the season goes on. I anticipate lower scores as players get experience as the season progresses and we get through some early tournaments.”

Dylan Burlingame and Carson Frazier are gone, but the Cardinals return senior Keegon Dill, who was also a state qualifier a year ago. Also back with varsity experience is senior Josh Howard and junior Braxten Cahoon. 

Newcomers expected to make an impact at the varsity level are senior Daniel Roy, junior Caden Ray and sophomores Levi Lassiter and Cooper Forth.

When asked what he felt the strengths of the team would be this season, depth, of course, was his first answer. With so many kids capable of contributing at the varsity level, that depth will be the catalyst for the Cardinals.

“We have a very balanced and deep team with several options for varsity,” Boyer said. “The daily competition we have had at early practices will help the team as the season starts. We have several athletic and long hitters off the tee that will benefit them on approach shots.”

And while depth will be a plus, there will be some inevitable inexperience on varsity this season with at least two spots up for grabs due to the losses of Burlingame and Frazier. However, talent can shorten the learning curve to make up for a lack of experience, and Webb City has plenty of talent to sift through. 

“We will have two or three guys on varsity that are still fairly new to golf,” Boyer said. “So, we will need to experience some matches and early tournaments to see where we stand against other teams in the area. We have been putting a focus on being able to lock in and focus for 18 holes and build more confidence each day.”

Webb City opens the season at Carthage on Tuesday.

BOYS GOLF: Confident Bulldogs return plenty of varsity experience in 2022

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Carl Junction boys golf has reason to be excited, as the Bulldogs return four of their five varsity members who have high expectations for 2022.

“Carl Junction boys golf has had this year circled on the calendar for a while,” Carl Junction coach Ryan Jones said to SoMo Sports. “Carl Junction has had a lot of great individual golfers come through, over the course of the last 10 years, but we have struggled to put together multiple classes and build the depth required for postseason success as a team. This year’s team has the depth required to compete on the district level and conference level. We have a lot of high quality golfers on the roster and we are excited to see where we stack up with teams from our area and within our state.”

Carl Junction’s list of returners is highlighted by seniors Noah Williams and Zach Wrensch. Williams was an all-district performer who was also a state qualifier and a Horton Smith Joplin team qualifier. Wrensch was also a Horton Smith Joplin team qualifier. Junior Jacob Teeter, and All-Central Ozark Conference selection last season, is back along with sophomore Tommy Walker—an all-district performer and state qualifier as a freshman.

Joining the varsity squad this year is freshman Jack Spencer.

“We have had great senior leadership this first month from Zach Wrensch and Noah Williams,” Jones said. “Williams was an all district golfer last year and a state qualifier. Wrensch finished with multiple top 10 finishes last season. We have an all-conference performer in Jacob Teeter, and Tommy Walker, who was an all district last season as well. Add to that mix, freshman Jack Spencer, who is one of the better freshmen in the region, winning last summer’s Southwest Missouri Junior Golf Association Golfer of the Year for his age group.”

Of course, when asked what he considers his team’s biggest strength, Jones said depth. And while this may be the easy answer, that doesn’t make it any less true. It’s one thing to have the experience, but coupling that with the talent level the Bulldogs have, it’s easy to see why the arrow is trending up for the program.

“The thing that jumps out at you this year is our depth,” Jones said. “We have five golfers who have the capability to win a golf event. That kind of depth makes practice much more intense because those kids are interested in winning every day in practice. Who doesn’t like to beat your buddies?”

Of course, though the expectations are high, Coach Jones has made it clear to his team that it is going to take continuous work throughout the season to reach their goals. If the Bulldogs can show the type of commitment needed, Jones believes this team is capable of a special season.

“Pressure is a privilege,” Jones said. “We have stressed that in our conversations with this team. We have high expectations for our year and that is acceptable. We have earned those expectations. But expectations aren’t going to pay the bills. You have to perform. The pressure we feel is a privilege. Our success this season is going to depend on how we handle those expectations and whether or not we continue to improve individually as the year progresses.”

Carl Junction opens the season at Carthage on Tuesday.

TRACK & FIELD: Youngworth takes the reins at McAuley Catholic; Warriors begin ‘22 season

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Andy Youngworth has taken over the reins of the McAuley Catholic track and field program.

After spending nearly three decades in charge of the track team at Carthage High School, Youngworth hopes to build a successful program at McAuley. 

Entering the 2022 season, McAuley returns a handful of varsity performers to go along with several promising newcomers. 

The McAuley girls return two athletes who have previous varsity experience — senior Ava Gould (sprints, jumps) and sophomore Kendall Ramsey (distance). 

Ramsey was a sectional qualifier in the 3,200-meter run last spring and advanced to the state cross country meet this past fall. 

Newcomers expected to contribute at the varsity level this spring are senior thrower Avery Eminger and sophomores Kaitlyn Bates (throws) and Kloee Williamson (sprints, jumps).

“Our goals are to be competitive in the Ozark 7 Conference and in our district,” Youngworth said. “Last year, one girl competed in track and field and this year we have five. That’s a good improvement, but the lack of numbers makes it difficult to compete as a team. As a result, we are focusing on getting kids better in their individual events, giving each of them the best chance to qualify for the sectional and hopefully the state meet.”

Despite the low numbers, Youngworth noted the girls out for track have been working hard and have shown a willingness to try new events.

“We have good athleticism and I truly feel they all have a chance to attain their goals this year,” Youngworth added. “Three of the five girls are in field events and we should be strong in the throws and jumps.”

The main areas of concern entering the season are lack of numbers and a lack of meet experience.

“We also share athletes with soccer and softball and it will be difficult to get in specific technique work,” Youngworth said. “But the girls have been great about trying to put in extra work on weekends.”

McAuley’s returning varsity performers on the boys team are senior Jacob Bracich (sprints, jumps), junior distance runners Phillip Motazedi and Drew Zeb and sophomores Ethan Staab (sprints, relays) and Dylan Taffner (sprints, relays).  

Bracich was a sectional qualifier last year in the long jump, while Motazedi advanced to the state cross country meet this past fall. 

Newcomers expected to contribute this spring are juniors Jack Jones (jumps, sprints) and Joe Staton (pole vault, sprints), sophomore Jake Higginbotham (sprints, jumps) and freshmen distance runners Michael Parrigon, Armando Alberto and Grant Horinek.

Parrigon was a state qualifier during the cross country season.

“Our goals are to compete in the conference and the district,” Youngworth said. “We have 11 kids who are athletic, and it will be important to get them in the right events so they have the best chance to advance in the state series. We have spent a lot of time on the basics and technique and I believe that will pay off in the end.”  

Youngworth, who also coaches the cross country team, was asked to assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses. 

“We should be able to be competitive in the relays and open sprint and distance events, but we lack depth in the throws and hurdles,” he said. “Again, we share athletes with other sports…baseball and golf. Like the girls, the boys have been willing to come in after practice and on weekends to get in extra technique work.”

Youngworth expects the program’s numbers to increase in the years to come. 

“We have had a tremendous turnout for middle school track and field, which is a great sign for the future,” he said. 

Youngworth is assisted by Georgia Antillon, Payton Roberts and Darbi Stancell.

“We have put together a great staff,” Youngworth commented.

Stancell was a longtime track and cross country coach at McDonald County, while Antillon ran at East Newton and Roberts was an All-American thrower at Missouri Southern.

 

WARRIORS COMPETE AT CATHOLIC 

The McAuley Catholic track and field team began the 2022 season at Friday’s Springfield Catholic Invitational.

“We had a good showing despite missing several kids due to spring break and other conflicts,” Youngworth said. 

For McAuley’s boys, Bracich placed second in the long jump (5.33 meters) and also finished fourth in the 200-meter run (24.81 seconds).

Parrigon was third in the 800 (2:20) and fourth in the 1600 (5:07). The Warriors were fifth in the 4×100 relay.

For the McAuley girls, Eminger placed third in the discus and fourth in the shot put.

The Warriors will compete at Diamond on Tuesday.

HOOPS: Area players named all-state by MBCA

Posted on by Jason Peake

A number of Joplin area players were recently named all-state by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association.

 

GIRLS

Carl Junction junior guard Destiny Buerge was selected to the Class 5 all-state team. It was the second straight season that Buerge was named all-state. 

Buerge was the lone player from the COC selected in Class 5, while Republic’s Kaemyn Bekemeier and Nixa’s duo of Ali Kamies and Macie Conway were named to the Class 6 team. 

Nevada sophomore guard Clara Swearingen was named to the Class 4 team.

Miller’s Claudia Hadlock was selected in Class 2. It was the third straight season Hadlock was named all-state. 

 

BOYS

Neosho senior guard K’dyn Waters was the lone local player selected to the Class 5 all-state team.

College Heights Christian senior guard Miller Long and Verona senior guard Jaiden Carrasquillo were named all-state in Class 2. 

Golden City junior Josh Reeves was named all-state in Class 1. 

From the COC, Nixa’s Colin Ruffin and Kael Combs were selected in Class 6.

 

FULL TEAMS: https://mo.nhsbca.org/mbca-all-state

 

 

TRACK & FIELD: Neosho athletes fare well at Harry Lineberry Open House

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho High School hosted the Harry Lineberry Open House track and field invitational on Friday. 

The Neosho boys won seven events, while the NHS girls took first in four events. 

 

NEOSHO BOYS HIGHLIGHTS

Winning events for the Neosho boys were Evan Haskins (200), Kaden Cole (1600, 3200), Eric Bebie (110 hurdles), Cade Camerer (high jump), Jared Siler (long jump) and Isaiah Green (triple jump). 

Haskins recorded a time of 23.72 seconds in the 200, while Cole’s winning times were 4:31 and 9:52. Bebie finished the 110 hurdles in 16.51.

Camerer cleared 5-9.75 in the high jump, Siler leaped 19-0.25 in the long jump and Green recorded a mark of 40-8.25 in the triple jump. 

Taking second for the Wildcats were Tyrese Hill (200) and Izaiah Hill (400).

Finishing third in their events were  Jack Lankford (200), Haskins (400), Colin Ortiz (PV) and Eric Renner (discus), while fourth place finishers were Talon Mitchell (100), Connor Jordon (400), Bebie (300 H), Grant Landers (TJ), Drew Cobb (PV) and Hadyn Riggs (discus, shot put).

As far as the relays, Neosho’s boys were second in the 4×100 and 4×200 and third in both the 4×400 and 4×800. 

Other event winners in the boys meet were Diamond’s Chase Housh (400), East Newton’s Kelton Sorrell (800) and Gabe Bergen (300 H) and Nixa’s Spencer Ward (100), Afton Hopkins (PV), Tony Perez (discus, shot put) and Koby Graham (javelin). 

 

NEOSHO GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS

Winning their events for the Neosho girls were Chloe Wood (800), Riley Kemna (1600), Kendall Platner (high jump) and Kinley Wilson (pole vault). 

Wood crossed the line at 2:39 in the 800, while Kemna recorded a time of 5:45 in the 1600. Platner cleared 4-9 in the high jump, while Wilson cleared 7-6.25 in the vault. 

Taking second for the Wildcats were Madilyn Ebbinghaus (200), Makayla Peters (400), Wood (1600), Lauren Sullivan (long jump) and Miranda Wennhold (triple jump). 

Finishing third in their events were  Kemna (3200), Miranda Wennhold (HJ), Claire Burghart (PV) and Katelyn Mahurin (shot put).

Taking fourth were Ebbinghaus (100), Platner (300 H), Taigen Mitchell (LJ), Karlee Ellick (TJ) and Sullivan (shot put). 

Neosho’s girls were second in all four relays. 

Winning events for Nixa were Faith Chepkondol (100), Taylor Hopper (200, TJ), Brookelyn Bidinger (400), Alicen Ashley (3200), Camila Figueroa (100 H, 300 H), Ashlyn Allison (discus), Dakota Hale (javelin) and Halle Hanna (shot put). 

 

THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGHLIGHTS

For the Thomas Jefferson boys, Kip Atteberry placed third in the 800 with a time of 2:10. Atteberry was fourth in the 1600 in 4:48.

Elias Rincker was seventh in the 300 hurdles and ninth in the long jump. 

For the Thomas Jefferson girls, Alivia Beard placed third in both the 100 and the 200, while Sarah Mueller finished third in the 800 and Avery Hocker took third in the triple jump.

Gabbi Hiebert was fourth in the 400, with Leah Studer sixth. Mueller took fifth in the 1600, with Macie Shifferd seventh. 

Hiebert and Nico Carlson finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the high jump. Lannah Grigg placed fifth in the shot put.

 

FULL RESULTS: https://mo.milesplit.com/meets/453546-harry-lineberry-open-house-2022/results

TRACK & FIELD: Thomas Jefferson returns state qualifiers, promising newcomers in ’22

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The Thomas Jefferson Independent School track and field squad features eight returning state qualifiers and a number of promising newcomers this spring.

With that, the expectations are high for the Cavaliers. 

“We return eight out of 10 kids who qualified for state last May,” Cavaliers coach Junior Joseph told SoMo Sports. “The kids are eager to get back there again this season. I believe that both of our teams should be able to compete at each meet we attend. Our goal this season is to compete for a conference title and have as many kids as possible qualify for the state meet.” 

The top returners for the TJ boys are senior Elias Rincker (sprints, jumps) and juniors Kip Atteberry (distance), Levi Triplett (sprints, jumps), Ryken Garren (throws) and Benjamin Carroll (throws).

Atteberry placed fourth in the 1600 and was 10th in the 800 at last year’s Class 1 state track meet. Rincker, Triplett and Atteberry competed at state in the 4×400 relay with the graduated Kelsey Atteberry. 

The Cavaliers have a large number of newcomers who are expected to contribute nicely— juniors Jay Ball (throws) and Shayaan Anis (throws), sophomore Cameron Huthsing (sprints) and freshmen Sheraz Anis (sprints), Gavin Box (sprints), Eann Espinoza (jumps), Layton Green (sprints) and Lincoln Miller (sprints).

“Our men’s team will rely heavily on our distance program and field events,” Joseph said. “Kip Atteberry had a great cross country season, finishing fourth at the state meet. Elias Rincker is a great leader and he’ll be leading our jumps and will be in the mix competing for top spots at each meet.” 

Thomas Jefferson’s girls team returns a solid core. Back with prior varsity experience are senior Alivia Beard (sprints), junior Nico Carlson (sprints, jumps) and sophomores Alaina Edmondson (throws), Mia Grubbs (distance), Avery Hocker (jumps, sprints), Sarah Mueller (distance) and Alexis Stamps (multiple events). 

Beard qualified for last year’s state meet in both the 100-meter dash and the 200, finishing 15th and 16th, respectively. 

As a freshman, Hocker went to state in the triple jump, finishing 16th. 

Hocker, Carlson and Beard joined the graduated Sydney Stamps on last year’s qualifying 4×100 relay, while Beard, Hocker, Carlson and Mueller competed at state in the 4×400 relay. 

Newcomers who should contribute nicely for the TJ girls are juniors Samantha Seto (distance) and Phoenix Wade (throws), sophomores Gabbi Hiebert (jumps) and Julianne Wachtel (distance) and freshmen Lannah Grigg (throws), Macie Shifferd (distance), Leah Studer (sprints, jumps) and Jenna Trimble (throws, distance). 

Mueller, Shifferd and Grubbs all qualified for the Class 1 state cross country meet this past fall. 

“On the women’s side, I believe we’ll be able to score in the short sprints with Alivia,” Joseph said. “We’ll have a more-experienced long distance team while getting help from our field events with the throws and jumps.”

Coach Joseph, a former standout thrower at Missouri Southern, noted he’s been extremely pleased with what he’s seen during preseason practices.

“The kids are super excited and eager to get the season started,” Joseph said. “Practices have been extremely positive and everybody has bought in. I thoroughly believe that this will be a great outdoor season. 

“Since the first day of practice, we have been talking about being one team, one unit,” Joseph added. For us to have a great team season it takes everybody being invested into their teammate’s events also. I think both the men and women have taken that to heart and it will translate onto the track. It should be a fun season.” 

 

CAVALIERS BEGIN SEASON

The Thomas Jefferson track team competed at Neosho’s Harry Lineberry Open House on Friday.

For the Thomas Jefferson boys, Atteberry placed third in the 800 with a time of 2:10. Atteberry was fourth in the 1600 in 4:48, breaking his own school record.

Rincker was seventh in the 300 hurdles and ninth in the long jump. 

For the Thomas Jefferson girls, Beard placed third in both the 100 and the 200, while Mueller finished third in the 800 and Hocker took third in the triple jump.

Hiebert was fourth in the 400, with Studer sixth. Mueller took fifth in the 1600, with Shifferd seventh. 

Hiebert and Carlson finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the high jump.  Grigg placed fifth in the shot put.

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Joplin drops tourney finale; Webb City, Carthage, Carl Junction all earn first wins of ’22; Mustangs improve to 5-1

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

PRYOR 4, JOPLIN 3

CLAREMORE, Okla. — Joplin took an early lead only for Pryor (Okla.) to rally in the later stages on the way to a win to close out the Tiger/Zebra Classic on Saturday.

The Eagles (2-5) scored twice in the first and once in the third to build a 3-2 lead over the Tigers. Pryor plated the tying run in the fourth inning and a go-ahead run in the fifth to earn the win.

Stephen Osborne earned the win after giving up three runs on five hits, five walks and a strikeout in four innings. Ty Conseen pitched 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings, walking one and striking out three.

Byler Reither took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits, five walks and five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Joe Jasper pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. He allowed one hit and struck out one.

Aden Parker, Josh Gore and Bunk Gray all had two doubles apiece. Parker, Gore and Gray each scored a run while Gore also added an RBI.

Ethan Guilford and Landon Maples each doubled for Joplin. Guilford had two RBI.

Joplin hosts McDonald County on Tuesday.

 

CARTHAGE 11, MARSHFIELD 6

The Carthage Tigers earned their first win of the season by beating the Marshfield Blue Jays 11-6 on Saturday at Joe Becker Stadium. 

The Tigers plated six runs in the first inning en route to victory. Carthage added two runs in the third, one in the fifth and two more in the sixth.

Sylas Browning and Parker Copeland had two hits and two RBI apiece for the Tigers, while Braxdon Tate drove in five runs and doubled and Clay Kinder scored three runs.

Copeland pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out three. Kanen Vogt did not allow an earned run in two innings of relief. 

Marshfield’s Bryant Bull gave up four earned runs on four hits and five walks in five innings. 

Marshfield’s Owen Curley and Easton Arthur each drove in two runs on two hits.

 

CARTHAGE 6, AVA 1

Carthage’s Bradyn Tate hurled a gem in this one. 

Tate went all seven innings, striking out 10, walking none, scattering five hits and giving up just one run to earn the pitching win.

The Tigers trailed 1-0 when they put up four runs in the third inning. 

In the big inning, Kinder singled and Caden Kabance and Nate Norbury both walked to load the bases before Logan Carmickle cleared the bases with a triple to right. Vogt’s RBI single to center made it 4-0.

A two-run fourth accounted for the final score. One run scored on an error and the second came home on a double steal. 

Ava’s Andrew Dalton was charged with the loss. He gave up four earned runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings. Dalton was the game’s lone player to record two hits. 

Carthage (2-3) is at Helias Catholic on Wednesday. 

 

MCDONALD COUNTY 2, CARL JUNCTION 0

ANDERSON, Mo. — The McDonald County Mustangs had a fine debut on their new turf field.

McDonald County’s Levi Helm tossed six scoreless innings and also homered to lead the Mustangs past the Carl Junction Bulldogs 2-0 on Saturday.

The Mustangs plated single tallies in both the third and sixth innings. Weston Gordon drove in the first run with a single to center before Helm hit a solo home run to left in the sixth.

On the mound, Helm scattered four hits and struck out seven to earn the win. Gordon recorded the final three outs to earn the save. 

Carl Junction’s Shane Diskin pitched well in defeat. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out two in 5 1/3 innings. Jordan Woodruff got two outs in relief. 

The Bulldogs had five singles and a double by Lucas Vanlanduit. 

Mac County also beat Camdenton 4-3 on Saturday afternoon.

The game was deadlocked after seven innings when the hosts plated the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Cross Dowd walked and later scored on Tucker Walters’ double.

Walters went 3-for-4, while Isaac Behm and Gordon had two hits apiece.

Gordon, Colton Ruddick and Behm handled the pitching duties. Behm earned the win after going two innings, striking out four. 

McDonald County is now 5-1 on the season. The Mustangs are at Shiloh Christian on Monday. 

 

CARL JUNCTION 3, CAMDENTON 0

ANDERSON, Mo. — Carl Junction picked up its first win of the spring by shutting out the Camdenton Lakers 3-0 on Saturday in their second game at McDonald County High School.

Kyler Perry was the winning pitcher. He went 6 2/3 scoreless innings, scattered four hits and striking out eight. Vanlanduit recorded the final out to earn the save.

Perry also went 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI. 

Carl Junction’s Logan Eck drove in two runs in the second inning with a single to center, with Dalton Mills and Drew Massey scoring.

Perry recorded an RBI single in the seventh for some insurance, with Massey scoring. 

Camdenton’s Kade Durnin took the loss, but he only allowed two earned runs on three hits while striking out nine in six innings. 

The Bulldogs (1-4) host Aurora (4-2) at 4:30 on Tuesday. 

 

WEBB CITY 4, LEBANON 0

WILLARD, Mo. — Cooper Crouch and Walker Sweet combined on a no-hitter as Webb City beat Lebanon 4-0 on Saturday at the Willard Tournament. 

A Crowder College signee, Crouch tossed six scoreless innings and struck out nine. Sweet fanned two in one inning of relief. 

It was the first victory of the 2022 season for the Cardinals. 

 

WEBB CITY 5, MARQUETTE 4

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Cardinals earned their second of the win of the day in a game that was played at Kickapoo High School.

Kaylor Darnell earned the pitching win and recorded three hits. Sweet picked up the save.

Eric Fitch had three hits for the Cardinals.  

Webb City (2-3) is at Monett on Tuesday.

 

SOFTBALL: College Heights earns first two wins of the season on the road

Posted on by Lucas Davis

SARCOXIE, Mo. — College Heights earned its first two wins of the season on the road after beating East Newton and Sarcoxie on Saturday. 

 

COLLEGE HEIGHTS 13, EAST NEWTON 0 (5 INNINGS)

Maddy Colin tossed a no-hitter as College Heights (with McAuley) scored early and often to earn its first win of the season over East Newton on Saturday.

Colin was dominant for five no-hit innings in her start to earn the win. She struck out 11 and didn’t allow a walk in a near perfect game, as the Cougars committed one error. 

Faith Jones took the loss after allowing five runs on two hits and three walks in one inning. Gracie Ford allowed eight runs on six hits, six walks and two strikeouts in four relief innings.

College Heights scored three runs in the first inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Addie Lawrence. 

The Cougars poured it on in the second with five crossing the plate. Jayli Johnson had a two-run single and Colin added a three-run triple later in the inning to make the score 8-0.

Lawrence had a three-run double in the third inning, which was followed by an RBI single to Colin to push the lead to 12-0.

Lawrence went 3-for-5 with two doubles, five RBI and two runs scored. Johnson had two hits and two walks and scored a team-high four runs. Colin tripled on the way to two hits and a team-high six RBI. Kloee Williamson had a hit, two walks, scored three runs and drove in one.

 

COLLEGE HEIGHTS 6, SARCOXIE 0

Colin followed up her no-hitter with a two-hit shutout performance as College Heights closed its day with a win over Sarcoxie.

After five scoreless innings, College Heights ended the scoring drought with three runs in the sixth inning before adding three insurance runs in the seventh inning to seal the win.

Colin worked seven scoreless innings, scattering two hits, walking two and striking out 14 to earn the win.

Kylee Walters took the loss after allowing six runs, five earned, on five hits, four walks and 19 strikeouts in seven complete innings.

Williamson broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning with an RBI double to center field to plate Johnson, who doubled in the previous at-bat. Lawrence followed with a single up the middle to score Williamson and make the score 2-0. Lawrence touched home on a passed ball later in the inning to push the lead to three.

Williamson led CHC at the plate with two hits, three RBI and two runs scored, while Johnson doubled, walked twice and scored twice. Lawrence had one hit, RBI and run scored. Kaitlyn Bates also recorded a hit for the Cougars.

BASEBALL: Strafford knocks off Neosho in 12 innings to clinch tournament title

Posted on by Lucas Davis

NEOSHO, Mo. — Strafford scored three times in the top of the 12th inning to break a 5-5 tie en route to an 8-5 win over Neosho to clinch the inaugural Roy B. Shaver Classic championship game on Saturday at Roy B. Shaver Field.

The Indians (4-0) scored four times in the top of the first inning to take the early momentum before the Wildcats chipped away at the lead until tying the game at 4-4 by the end of the third inning. Strafford scored in the top of the fifth before Neosho tied the game up again at 5-all with a run in the last of the sixth inning. After five scoreless innings and multiple chances by both teams to push across the go-ahead run, Strafford plated three runs in the top of the 12th inning to earn the win.

“It shows the grit of this team (in the way they compete),” Neosho coach Bo Helsel said. “I was just talking to them down there and I said these are the games, granted I hate losing, but these are the games that we need to play to show that we can compete in the COC and to compete in districts. … We never led all day. To go 12 innings and not have one lead is tough. It is the first game we didn’t lead in and getting to that point was a grind. 

“This team is built different. The mentality is different in the dugout. We had a sophomore on the mound who gave up four runs in the first inning and he shut them down the next three innings. That is just the type of grit we have on this team.”

HOT START

The loss was the first of the season for the Wildcats, who have a 4-1 record and have already matched last year’s win total. While surpassing that number with a Roy B. Shaver title plaque would have been nice, it’s clear by Neosho’s start to 2022 that the Wildcats are playing inspired baseball in Helsel’s first year with the program.

“Our kids are playing well,” Helsel said of the Wildcats’ start. “Obviously, we would have loved to have this one. But, the first year in the tournament—the turnout was great, the players were engaged, the coaches were engaged. The opposing teams did great. I loved it. Our kids love this atmosphere. That is different from past years.”

Neosho pitcher Quenton Hughes delivers a pitch to home in the Roy B. Shaver Classic championship game on Saturday. Photo by Israel Perez.

ON THE MOUND

Dakota Ames started and took a no-decision after allowing five runs, three earned, on five hits, three walks and three strikeouts in six innings for the Indians. Mason Denning pitched two scoreless relief innings and allowed one hit and walked two. Gabe Moore earned the win in relief, pitching four scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking two and striking out two.

Quenton Hughes started for Neosho and took a no-decision after allowing four runs on seven hits, two walks and three strikeouts in four innings. Wyatt Shadwick pitched one inning and gave up one run on one hit, a walk and three strikeouts. Carson Williams took the tough-luck loss after allowing three runs on nine hits, a walk and four strikeouts in seven-plus innings of work. 

“Carson Williams came in the sixth (inning) and just grinded,” Helsel said. “He is one of my hardest workers. He came in and shut them down. He gives up his share of hits, but he always strands those runners. … He pitched the game of his life for sure.”

GAME ACTION

Strafford took the momentum in the first inning after plating four runs, all coming with two outs. Lane Boswell drove in the first run with a single to center field before back to back walks loaded the bases. Evan Helton followed with a double to the gap in right-center field to score three more runs and cap the inning.

Neosho answered with a two-out run in the bottom of the first inning to cut the deficit down to three. Eli Zar picked up the RBI with a single to score River Brill.

The Wildcats added two more runs in the bottom of the second inning to get within one of the lead. Carter Baslee started the inning with a leadoff single before coming around to score on a one-out triple to right-center by Reese Miller. Williams plated Miller in the next at-bat with an RBI groundout.

Like it did in the first two innings, Neosho got the leadoff man on in the bottom of the third inning after Austin Rodriguez reached on an error. And like they did in the first two at-bats, the Wildcats pushed across a run for a third straight inning, this time tying the game at 4-4. Rodriguez moved to second on a single from Shadwick and scored on a Zar groundout.

Neosho first baseman Carter Baslee records a putout in the Roy B. Shaver Classic title game on Saturday. Photo by Israel Perez.

“The percentages (of scoring) go way up when you get the leadoff runner on,” Helsel said. “So many things can happen. You can bunt, you can steal, you can do all kinds of stuff. … It is big for us to get that leadoff guy on base any way possible.”

Strafford reached the scoreboard for the first time since the opening frame when Boswell walked to lead off the top of the fifth before moving to third on a single from Isaac Berg and scoring on a wild pitch to give the Indians a 5-4 lead.

Neosho tied the game back up in the bottom of the sixth inning. The first two runners reached and moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt from Williams. Brill tied the game at 5-5 with an RBI groundout.

Strafford started the top of the seventh with back to back singles before a sac bunt moved both runners into scoring position. The Wildcats got out of the jam after Williams earned a strikeout and a fly out to end the threat.

Neosho had the bases loaded in the eighth inning before a groundout ended the inning. The Wildcats threatened to end the game in the last of the ninth inning after Baslee singled to shallow left with Zar on second, but Zar was thrown out at the plate to preserve the tie.

The Wildcats loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning. Colton Southern flew out to left field, with the runner being thrown out at the plate for the second straight inning.

“We had our chances,” Helsel said. “You get those opportunities with the bases loaded and you have to do something. Maybe I was pushing the baserunners to go, but these are high school arms and I wanted to test them to try and get the run in. We had four opportunities for one big hit, and we just didn’t get it today. That is the way baseball goes sometimes.”

Neosho’s Kael Smith tags a Strafford runner out at third base in the Roy B. Shaver Classic title game on Saturday. Photo by Israel Perez.

Strafford pushed across three runs in the top of the 12th inning to take the momentum after five scoreless innings by both teams. After an out to leadoff the inning, the Indians loaded the bases after a walk, an infield hit and a hit-by-pitch. Ames followed with a single through the left side to score the go-ahead run. JD Hunt singled to left for an RBI and Denning added a sac fly to make the score 8-0.

IN THE BOX

Hunt had four hits and an RBI to lead Strafford at the plate. Blake Cowan and Boswell each had three hits, with Cowan scoring a run and Boswell driving in a run.

Baslee had three hits and a walk scored a run to lead Neosho. Hughes and Williams had base hits, while Miller tripled, scored a run and drove in one. Williams had an RBI.

ON DECK

Neosho is at St. Mary’s Colgan on Tuesday at Jaycee Ballpark.

 

CHC ROUNDUP: College Heights softball and baseball drop games

Posted on by Lucas Davis

COLUMBUS 11, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 1

Columbus scored four runs in the first and continued to put up tallies throughout on the way to the win over College Heights (with McAuley) in six innings.

The Titans added runs in each inning after the first, scoring a single tally in the second, fourth and six innings and two runs in each the third and fifth frames.

Aubree Saporito earned the complete-game win after giving up one run on three hits and 11 strikeouts in six innings.

Maddy Colin took the loss after allowing 11 runs, three earned, on nine hits, a walk and six strikeouts in six innings of work.

Kaitlynn Lopp had three hits, an RBI and two runs scored for Columbus. Torey Tedlock doubled twice and had three RBI as well as a run scored.

Jayli Johnson doubled and scored a run for CHC, while Colin had a hit and an RBI.

 

RIVERTON 5, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 0

Riverton scored three times in the third inning to build a four-run lead on the way to the win over College Heights on Friday.

Nick Bruggemann took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits, a walk and four strikeouts in four innings for College Heights. Ben Thomas allowed one unearned run on two hits and five strikeouts in three relief innings.

 

BASEBALL: Joplin splits on second day of Tiger/Zebra Classic

Posted on by Lucas Davis

CLAREMORE, Okla. — Joplin played .500 baseball on the second day of the Tiger/Zebra Classic, opening up with a win against McAlester (Oklahoma) before seeing a furious late rally come up short to host Claremore in the nightcap on Friday.

 

JOPLIN 4, MCALESTER 1

Justin McReynolds struck out a career-high 14 and Bodee Carlson blasted a two-run home run in the second inning to break a scoreless tie, giving Joplin a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in the win in the opener on Friday afternoon. 

McReynolds allowed one run on one hit, a walk and struck out 14 in seven innings to earn the complete-game win.

The Eagles (2-3) added a run in the fifth inning to push the lead to 3-0 when Layten Copher singled to right field with two outs to plate Ethan Guilford. Guilford singled up the middle earlier in the inning before moving to second on a McReynolds walk.

Copher picked up another RBI in the top of the seventh frame with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Kyler Stokes.

The Buffs scored their only run of the game on a passed ball with two outs in the last of the seventh.

Carlson homered and had two RBI to go along with a run scored to lead Joplin at the plate. Copher had a hit and two RBI, while Stokes and Guilford each had a hit and scored a run.

 

CLAREMORE 6, JOPLIN 5

Claremore scored five runs in the first four innings and built a 6-1 lead before Joplin scored four runs with two outs in the seventh inning and had the go-ahead run in scoring position before the final out was made to give the Zebras the win in the nightcap on Friday.

The host Zebras touched home twice in the second, once in the third and twice in the fifth to build a 5-1 lead over the Eagles (2-4). Claremore went on to add one more run in the sixth en route to victory before Joplin rallied with two outs in the seventh inning.

Easton Phillips earned the win after allowing one run on seven hits, one walk and three strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings for Claremore. Hunter Walters entered the seventh and allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning, with Phillips reentering at pitcher to get the final out.

Alex Isbell started and took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits and three walks in two innings. Tyler Duley allowed three runs, one earned, on two hits and three walks in four relief innings.

Claremore took the lead with two runs in the first, which was highlighted by a Carson Young RBI single through the left side of the infield. 

Joplin got on the scoreboard in the top of the third when Byler Reither singled home to score courtesy runner Duley to cut the lead 3-1. 

Claremore added a run on an error in the bottom of the third inning and two more in the fourth, with Young adding another RBI single. Young drove in his third run of the game with an RBI groundout to make the score 6-1.

Joplin scored four runs with two outs in the seventh inning, starting the late rally off with an RBI single to center from Brady Mails and a two-run double down the third-base line by Stokes in the next at-bat. 

Joplin cut the lead to one after Stokes stole third and eventually scored on a wild pitch. 

The Eagles had the tying run on third and go-ahead run on second when the game ended after a strikeout following an eight-pitch at-bat by Copher. 

Jackson Queen had three hits and scored a run, while Guilford had two hits to lead Joplin at the plate. Stokes doubled and added two RBI and a run scored to lead Joplin at the plate. Mails had a hit, an RBI and scored a run.

BASEBALL: Webb City drops game at Kickapoo

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Kickapoo Chiefs rode a pair of four-run frames to an 8-2 opening-round victory over the Webb City Cardinals on Friday in the Willard Tournament in a game that was played at Kickapoo’s Pittman Field. 

Kickapoo plated four runs in both the third and fourth innings, while Webb City managed single tallies in the fourth and fifth innings. 

The Cardinals had seven hits, two by Jeremiah Leaming and one apiece by Eric Fitch, Kenley Hood, Kaylor Darnell, Gage Chapman and William Hayes. Darnell and Hayes had one RBI apiece.

Fitch pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits and five walks. Chapman surrendered four runs on two hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Kickapoo’s Brian Wamsher went five innings, limiting the Cardinals to one run while scattering seven hits. He struck out three and earned the win. Rylan Smith pitched two scoreless innings in relief. 

Kickapoo’s Cole Murrell homered, drove in three runs and scored twice. Wamsher had two hits and an RBI.

The Cardinals (0-3) return to tourney action on Saturday with games against Lebanon and Marquette.

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