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Month: April 2022

BASEBALL: No. 8 Kickapoo holds off Joplin 2-1

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Class 6 eighth-ranked Kickapoo broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the fourth inning and held off Joplin late for a 2-1 win in non-conference, district action on Monday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

The Chiefs (18-4) and Eagles (9-10) took a scoreless game into the fourth inning when the first three batters reached base that ultimately led to two runs touching home. Joplin rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning with a run to trim the lead in half, but the Eagles left the bases loaded before knotting things up. Joplin had the tying run on base in the seventh but was unable to get it into scoring position before the final out was made.

“It was frustrating because we felt like we were in a position to sneak one away from a really good team,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said after the loss. “I am frustrated with myself because I thought I overmanaged the game early and didn’t have enough patience for some things late in the game. The kids fought and competed. … We played pretty well defensively, we just needed to be more consistent with our approach at the plate. Overall, it was a tough one.”

ON THE MOUND

Cross Kubik earned the win after allowing one run on four hits, two walks and six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings for the Chiefs. Evan Veinhage pitched 2/3 of an inning and Brian Wamsher earned the save after allowing one hit and striking out one in one relief inning. 

Byler Reither took the tough-luck complete-game loss for the Eagles after allowing two runs on four hits, three walks and five strikeouts in seven innings.

“Byler threw really, really well and gave us a chance to win that game,” Wolf said. “When he competes in the zone, he is really effective. He can give people problems. His last three outings, he has thrown really well. … Coming out of this, that is something to feel good about—Byler finding his stride on the mound a little bit. That is going to help down the road as we continue to progress through the season.”

GAME ACTION

Kickapoo got the leadoff man on base in the top of the fourth inning via a walk before Cael McCarville singled up the middle. Both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch before a single to right field from Wamsher plated a run for a 1-0 lead. Reed Jensen followed with a sacrifice safety squeeze bunt to score another run. 

After the leadoff man was retired to start the last of the sixth inning, the Eagles loaded the bases with a single from Kyler Stokes and back to back walks. Jackson Queen followed with a single to right field to plate a run and cut the lead to 2-1. Kickapoo’s Veinhage followed with a strikeout and induced a groundout to get out of the inning with the bases loaded.

“Jackson came up with the big hit to get a run across and it felt like we had a little bit of momentum coming,” Wolf said. “I have seen us do it all year, but credit to their kid for making pitches to get out of it.”

IN THE BOX

Kickapoo’s Cole Murrell and McCarville each had a hit and scored a run, while Wamsher and Jensen each had a hit and drove in one.
Stokes had a hit and scored once, while Queen had a hit and an RBI.

ON DECK

Joplin has a busy week of baseball ahead. The Eagles are back in action with a Central Ozark Conference matchup against Ozark on Tuesday at the JHS Athletic Complex before hitting the road for a conference game at Republic on Wednesday. 

The Eagles wrap the week with games against Class 4 fourth-ranked Smithville (10 a.m.) and Carthage (3 p.m.) on Saturday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

TRACK & FIELD: CJ’s Montez, Ward win two events apiece at SBU invite

Posted on by Jason Peake

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Carl Junction’s Ally Montez and Sydney Ward won two events apiece at the Southwest Baptist University High School Invitational track meet on Monday. 

The Carl Junction girls won four events in the Class 4-5 divisions, two apiece by Montez and Ward. 

A senior, Montez won both hurdle races. Montez won the 100-meter hurdles in 15.12 seconds and took first in the 300 hurdles in 45.78 seconds. 

A freshman, Ward crossed the line first in the 100-meter dash in 12.49 seconds. She also won the 200-meter dash in 25-77 seconds. 

Also for the CJ girls, Olivia Vediz placed third in the long jump (16-10) and sixth in the triple jump (33-2.5), while Madilyn Olds took fourth in the javelin (120-6) and Emerson Lundien finished eighth in the pole vault (8-8.25).

The CJ girls were fifth in the 4×100 relay, with Ward, Vediz, Hannah Cantrell and Montez competing.

Carl Junction finished ninth in the 4×200, with Ward, Delaney Harris, Riley Briggs and Emily Rice competing.

For the CJ boys, Caleb Graham took third in the pole vault (12-9.5), while teammate Owen Hensley was seventh in the same event (11-9.75). 

 

 

FULL RESULTS: SBU High School Invite (Class 4-5) 2022 – SBU High School Invite (Class 4- (Raw) (milesplit.com)

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Webb City, Carthage go 0-2 on the road; Wildcats, Mustangs both split; Bulldogs fall to Dragons

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WEBB CITY DPOPS TWINBILL

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Webb City dropped a pair of non-conference baseball games to state-ranked Class 6 schools on Saturday. 

No. 10 Francis Howell beat Webb City 4-2 and No. 5 Rock Bridge defeated Webb City 4-1. 

In the opener against the Vikings, the Cardinals scored twice in the first inning on Jeremiah Leaming’s RBI triple and Kolton Eilenstein’s bases-loaded walk.

The Vikings received a solo home run by Brett Norfleet in the third. Francis Howell took advantage of a Webb City error on a pick-off throw to first in the fifth inning, with two scoring on the play.

The hosts added a run in the bottom of the sixth for the final margin. 

The Cardinals had five hits, one apiece by Leaming, Eric Fitch, Cy Darnell, McQuade Eilenstein and Cade Wilson.

Gavin Stowell took the loss, but only allowed three earned runs on six hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out four. 

Andrew Brakensiek was the winning pitcher. He gave up two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six.

Against Rock Bridge, Webb City’s lone run came in the first inning, as Kaylor Darnell was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded after Cy Darnell walked and Kenley Hood and Leaming both singled. 

The Bruins pushed across single tallies in the third and fourth innings before adding two runs in the fifth. 

The Cardinals were limited to four hits, one apiece by Leaming, Hood, Cy Darnell and Aidan Brock.

Fitch went 3 2/3 innings on the mound, allowing one earned run on two hits and four walks while striking out six. Leaming pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out one. 

Rock Bridge’s Ty Thomson was the winning pitcher. He struck out nine and allowed one hit in five scoreless innings. 

Webb City (10-12) hosts Carl Junction on Tuesday. 

 

CARTHAGE FALLS TO ROGERSVILLE, PARKVIEW

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Carthage suffered a pair of losses on Saturday at Parkview High School. 

Class 4 No. 3 Rogersville defeated Carthage 8-4 and the Tigers suffered a 3-0 loss to Parkview.

In the opener, the Tigers led 3-1 when the Wildcats scored four runs in third. Rogersville added three insurance runs in the sixth before the Tigers got a run back in the seventh. 

Logan Carmickle had two of Carthage’s six hits. Carmickle, Caden Kabance, Kanen Vogt and Braxdon Tate drove in one run apiece. 

Parker Copeland took the loss after surrendering five earned runs on seven hits in five innings. Zach Geter allowed one run in one inning of relief. 

Chase Hampton was the winning pitcher. He tossed four scoreless innings and gave up just one hit and a walk. 

Rogersville’s Blythe Blakey homered, drove in two runs and scored three times. 

The game with the Vikings was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when Parkview pushed across three runs. 

The Tigers were limited to four hits, two by Sylas Browning and one apiece from Parker Copeland and Tate. 

Vogt took the loss, but only allowed two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Tate gave up one run in 2/3 of an inning. 

Parkview’s Delton Orcutt tossed five scoreless innings, striking out six and scattering four hits. Dylan Mahan pitched two scoreless innings in relief. 

Carthage (6-14) is at Neosho on Tuesday. 

 

NEOSHO SPLITS AT TOURNEY

The Neosho Wildcats split a pair of games at the First State Community Bank Paul Dudley Memorial Wood Bat Tournament on Saturday.

The Wildcats defeated Lebanon 4-2 and then lost to Camdenton 5-1 in the third-place game. 

Neosho received a stellar pitching performance against the Yellowjackets. Quenton Hughes did not allow an earned run in seven innings. He scattered seven hits and struck out three to earn the win. 

Hughes had three hits and drove in a run at the plate, while Carter Fenske and Carter Baslee also had an RBI.

Lebanon’s Cole Dustin took the loss after giving up four runs, one earned, on eight hits in five innings. 

Neosho scored three runs in the third and added an insurance run in the fifth. 

Besides the score, no information was available on the Neosho-Camdenton game. 

Neosho (11-10) hosts Carthage on Tuesday. 

 

MCDONALD COUNTY SPLITS TWINBILL

WEST PLAINS, Mo. — Class 5 No. 6 McDonald County is now 16-5 on the season after splitting a pair of non-conference games on Saturday at West Plains. 

The Mustangs defeated the Zizzers 9-7 and lost to Mountain Home 9-4.

Against West Plains, the Mustangs trailed 5-4 when they erupted for three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Both teams plated two runs in the seventh for the final margin.

McDonald County’s Levi Helm went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Cole Martin had two hits and scored three runs. Isaac Behm and Colton Ruddick drove in two runs apiece.

Helm started on the mound and took a no-decision after allowing four earned runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

Weston Gordon was the winning pitcher. He gave up two runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings. 

Colby Hoover drove in three runs on two hits, including a home run, for West Plains. Hoover took the loss after allowing seven runs, four earned, on six hits in six innings. 

In Game 2, Mountain Home rode a six-run fourth inning to a win over the Mustangs.

Destyn Dowd, Jack Parnell and Martin had two hits apiece for the Mustangs, while Martin drove in two runs. 

Behm was charged with the loss after allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits and five walks in three innings. 

Ruddick, Dowd, Rylan Armstrong and Tucker Walters pitched in relief. 

McDonald County is at Seneca on Tuesday. 

 

PITTSBURG (KANSAS) 4, CARL JUNCTION 3 (FRIDAY)

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg and Carl Junction took a 3-3 tie in the fourth inning when the Purple Dragons pushed across the go-ahead run on an RBI single to left field by Cale Farrington en route to the win on Friday at Jaycee Ballpark.

Cooper Hayden earned the win after allowing three unearned runs on seven hits and 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Kyler Perry took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned on 10 hits, a walk and five strikeouts in six innings of work.

Jordan Woodruff doubled, while Lucas Vanlanduit and Shane Diskin each singled to drive in runs for Carl Junction in the first inning. 

Vanlanduit had two hits, scored a run and drove in one for the game, while Diskin had two hits and drove in one. 

Jackson Turnbull hit a two-run home run for Pittsburg in the bottom of the first inning and finished with two hits, two RBI and scored a run. Farrington had two hits and an RBI. Hayden also finished with two hits.

SOFTBALL: College Heights wins Jasper Invitational softball tournament

Posted on by Lucas Davis

JASPER, Mo. — College Heights (with McAuley) earned a 7-0 win against Liberal in the semifinals and closed the day with a 2-1 win over East Newton in the championship round to win the Jasper Invitational softball tournament on Saturday.

 

COLLEGE HEIGHTS 2, EAST NEWTON 1

East Newton scored a run in the first inning and held that lead all the way until the bottom of the sixth when College Heights (16-2) scored a pair of two-out runs to take the late lead and held on to win the championship game.

Maddy Colin was hit by a pitch with one out in the last of the sixth frame and was on second base two batters later when Lauren Ukena doubled to center field to score Colin and tie the game at 1-1. The Cougars took the lead in the next at-bat when Avery Eminger singled to center field to push across the go-ahead run. 

Colin earned the complete-game win in the circle after allowing one unearned run on three hits, a walk and 16 strikeouts in seven innings.

Gracie McMahan took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts in six innings.

Eminger and Ukena each had a hit and drove in one, while Ukena added a run scored. Colin walked and scored a run, while Addie Lawrence had the only other hit for CHC.

Josie Guinn had two hits to lead East Newton at the plate. 

 

COLLEGE HEIGHTS 7, LIBERAL 0

College Heights (15-2) plated four runs in the first inning and Colin rode the run support to a shutout over Liberal (with Bronaugh) in the semifinals on Saturday.

The first five batters reached in the first inning for CHC, with Lawrence and Colin both picking up RBI singles during that stretch. Eminger and Kallie Spencer drew walks with the bases loaded to push home the final two runs of the inning. The Cougars added a single tally in the second inning and added two insurance runs in the sixth en route to the win.

Colin struck out 14 and scattered three hits in a six-inning shutout performance to earn the win.

Jordan Goodell took the loss after allowing five runs on three hits, six walks and two strikeouts in two innings. Kyla Porter allowed two unearned runs on five hits and a walk in four relief innings.

Jayli Johnson had three hits and scored a run in the leadoff spot for CHC. Lawrence had two hits, scored three runs and drove in one, while Colin had two hits and two RBI. Spencer had a hit and drove in one.

BOYS TENNIS: Carl Junction suffers COC loss to Ozark

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Carl Junction suffered an 8-1 setback to Ozark on Thursday in a Central Ozark Conference boys tennis dual. 

CJ’s lone win came at No. 1 singles, as Blaine Wilkerson defeated Ozark’s Orion Lewis 9-7.

In other singles matches, Ozark’s Stephen Metcalf beat Dan Hodson 8-4, Connor Kitchin topped Ben Morey 8-2, Ethan Fast defeated Will Russel 8-5, Charles Myers defeated Jayden Wolf 8-1 and Brett Kail beat Cameron Ball 8-1.

In doubles, Wilkerson-Hodson suffered an 8-3 loss, while Morey-Russel lost 8-2 and Ball-Wolf fell 8-1. 

 

TRACK & FIELD: Neosho competes at Shawnee Mission West; Cole wins two events

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The Neosho High School track and field squad headed to the Kansas City area to compete at Friday’s Shawnee Mission West Invitational. 

Neosho’s boys finished fourth in the team standings with 113 points. Olathe North (138.5), Olathe Northwest (134) and Mill Valley (118) were the top three teams.

Neosho standout distance runner Kaden Cole won two individual events. A Missouri Southern recruit, Cole won the 1600-meter run in 4:31. He crossed the line first in the 3200 with a time of 9:59. 

Isaiah Green placed second in the triple jump (43-8.25) and fourth in the long jump (21-10). 

Eric Bebie placed third in the 300 hurdles and fourth in the 110 hurdles, Tyrese Hill took fourth in both the 100-meter dash and the 200 and Connor Jordon was fourth in the 800.

Collyn Kivett and Monrow Suldan were fifth and sixth in the javelin, while Jared Siler and Cade Camerer finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the high jump. 

Grant Landers and Siler finished fourth and fifth in the triple jump, while Drew Cobb took fifth in the pole vault.

Hadyn Riggs finished sixth in the discus and Carson Newell was sixth in the 3200. 

The Wildcats took second in the 4×100 relay and fifth in the 4×400. 

For the Neosho girls, sophomore Riley Kemna placed third in the 1600 with a time of 5:42. Kemna also crossed the line third in the 3200 in 12:17.

Kendall Platner was third in the 300 hurdles and seventh in the 100 hurdles, while Chloe Wood took fourth in the 3200 and seventh in the 800. 

Finishing fifth in their events were Bailey Miller (pole vault) and Miranda Wennhold (triple jump).

The Neosho girls were second in the 4×800 relay, fourth in the 4×100 and sixth in the 4×400. 

 

FULL RESULTS: Shawnee Mission West Invitational 2022 – Complete (Raw) (milesplit.com)

SOFTBALL: College Heights blanks Lamar to open tourney play

Posted on by Lucas Davis

JASPER, Mo. — College Heights (with McAuley) held a 1-0 lead before a five-run fifth inning sealed a 7-0 win over Lamar in the first round of the Jasper Invitational softball tournament on Friday.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the third inning, the Cougars (14-2) took complete control after striking for five runs, all coming with two outs, on five hits. Addie Lawrence started the scoring in the fifth with a two-run double to left field before Maddy Colin doubled Lawrence home in the next at-bat for a 4-0 lead. Avery Eminger picked up an RBI later in the inning after getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded before Lauren Ukena wrapped the scoring with an RBI single to left in the next at-bat.

Colin pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out 16 while scattering two hits and walking one in seven innings.

Madison Caruthers took the loss after allowing seven runs on 11 hits, a walk and three strikeouts in six innings.

Aaliyah Perez had three hits and scored a run, while Lawrence doubled, had two hits, three RBI and scored twice for CHC. Colin doubled twice and drove in two, while Jayli Johnson had two hits and scored twice.

College Heights is in the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

TRACK & FIELD: Cardinals, Bulldogs, Tigers compete at Carl Junction invite

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — With only bragging rights on the line, close rivals Webb City, Carl Junction and Carthage got together on Friday for the Carl Junction Invitational track meet at Bulldog Stadium.

No team scores were kept at the invite, but all three schools had many highlights and several standout performances. 

 

WEBB CITY GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS

The Webb City girls won nine events. 

Webb City’s Abi Street and Riley Hawkins are pictured during the 1600 at Friday’s Carl Junction Invitational.

Missouri Southern recruit Riley Hawkins won two individual events. Hawkins crossed the line first in the 400-meter run in 1:02 and also won the 1600 in 5:25. Hawkins took second in the 3200 in 12:26. 

Abi Street took first in the 3200 with a time of 12:18 and finished second to her teammate Hawkins in the 1600 in 5:35. 

Hally Philpot won the 800 in 2:38 and Alanna Bundy took first in the 300 hurdles in 54.33 seconds.

Sophomore Dawsyn Decker took first in both the shot put (31-3.25) and the javelin (124-0.25), while Aubree Lassiter won the discus (97-5.25). 

Webb City’s 4×800 relay team of Sophia Crane, Izzy Lopez, Alanna Bundy and Elliett Capron took first in 10:53. 

The Cardinals were second in the 4×200, second in the 4×400 and third in the 4×100. 

Finishing second in their respective events were Kylie Jennings (100), Essence Robinson (400, LJ), Crane (800),  Chase Stilley (HJ) and Ripley Shanks (pole vault).

Taking third for the Cardinals were Stilley (100), Robinson (200), Bundy (3200), Maci Brown (100 hurdles), Lopez (300 hurdles), Khloe Rhuems (HJ) and Aubrey McKnight (javelin). Finishing fourth were Emily Countryman (1600), Chloe Emery (300H), Halle Hurd (TJ) and Kenzie Storm (javelin).

 

WEBB CITY BOYS HIGHLIGHTS

The Webb City boys won seven events.

Jose Antillon won the 400 in 52.9 seconds, Mason Hedger took first in the 1600 in 4:52 and Roman Borboa finished first in the 3200 (9:57). 

William Wolfe won the high jump (5-10), Justin Allen took first in the pole vault (11-11.75) and Dupree Jackson claimed first in the long jump (20-10.5).

The Cardinals won the 4×800 relay and took second in the 4×100 and 4×400.

Taking second in their individual events were Jordan Thornburg (100), Omari Jackson (200), Daunte Smiles (800, 1600), Evan Stevens (3200), Aidan Alberty (HJ, LJ), Dalton Thurlo (shot put), Nathaniel Miller (discus) and Malique McCarter (javelin). 

Third-place finishers were Dakota Grove (1600), Hedger (800), Dustin Brockmiller (3200), Jace Jones (110 H), Jadon Brisco (300 H) and Thurlo (discus).

Finishing fourth for the Cardinals were William Headrick (100), Max Higginbotham (200), Ricardo Arrieta (800), Joshua McDaniel (110 H), Jones (300 H), Joseph DeGraffenreid (HJ), Brisco (PV), Omari Jackson (LJ) and Lucas Ott (javelin). 

 

CARL JUNCTION GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS

Carl Junction’s Olivia Vediz won both the long jump and the triple jump at Friday’s Carl Junction Invitational. Photo by Jason Peake.

The Carl Junction girls won seven events. 

Carl Junction freshman sprinter Sydney Ward won two individual events, the 100-meter dash in 13.01 seconds and the 200 in 27.55.

Bulldogs senior Olivia Vediz won both the long jump (16-8) and the triple jump (34-4.25).

Sloan Uebinger won the 100 hurdles in 18.56 seconds, while Emerson Lundien took first in the pole vault (10-3.5). 

The Bulldogs won the 4×100 relay and took third in both the 4×200 and the 4×400. 

Finishing second in their events were Loren Lee (discus) and Madilyn Olds (javelin), while third-place finishers were Emily Rice (400), Acadia Badgley (PV) and Hannah Cantrell (TJ).

Riley Briggs (800) and Delaney Harris (PV) took fourth in their respective events. 

 

CARL JUNCTION BOYS HIGHLIGHTS

Owen Hensley was the top performer for the CJ boys, as he took second in the pole vault (11-5.75).

Finishing third for the Bulldogs were Colton Talken (200), Jack Lawson (400), Quin Kennedy (HJ), Caleb Graham (PV), Donnie Keith (shot put) and Braxton Dodds (javelin). 

Taking fourth were Tony Stewart (400), Parker Epperson (TJ) and Dylan Robbins (shot put).

The Bulldogs finished second in the 4×200 relay, third in the 4×100 and third in the 4×400.

 

CARTHAGE GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS 

Carthage’s Joey Hettinger won the girls high jump with a leap of 4-11.75. 

The Tigers won the 4×200 relay, with Aven Willis, Sydnee Dudolski, Ashlyn Brust and Lexa Youngblood competing. Willis, Youngblood, Brust and Boyd won the 4×400. The Tigers were second in the 4×100.

Dudolski was the runner-up in the 200, Jaidyn Brunnert finished second in both hurdle races and the triple jump, while Lilly Holmes took second in the shot put and third in the discus.

Taking third for the Tigers were Morelia Reyes-Perez (800), Maggie Boyd (1600), Hettinger (LJ) and Jordan Childs (shot put).

Fourth-place finishers for the CHS girls were Marissa Boyer (100), Trisha Kanas (400), Jenna Wilson (3200), Brunnert (HJ), Millie Templeman (LJ) and Nichols (shot put).

 

CARTHAGE BOYS HIGHLIGHTS

Carthage won three relays on Friday at Carl Junction.

In a solid showing, the Tigers won nine individual events and three relays. 

Luke Gall won the 100-meter dash in 11.9 seconds, Taye Witherspoon took first in the 200 in 25.14 and Miquel Solano crossed the line first in the 800 with a time of 2:04. 

Trenton Yates won the 110 hurdles (17.09) and the triple jump (41-10), while Daryl Martin took first in the 300 hurdles (43.96). 

Micah Lindsey won two events, taking first in the shot put (46-11.5) and the discus (137-3.75), while Zachary Lansford won the javelin with a toss of 149-7. 

The CHS boys won three relays. 

Carthage won the 4×100 relay in 44.47 seconds, with Landen Schrader, Gall, Cooper Jadwin and Aiden Rogers competing. 

The Tigers also won the 4×200 in 1:34, with Schrader, Chris Mejia, Braxton McBride and Jadwin running.

McBride, Solano, Tyler Burt and Schrader won the 4×400 in 3:35. The Tigers took second in the 4×800. 

Finishing second in their individual events were Burt (400), Martin (110 H), Yates (300 H) and Mejia (TJ). 

Taking third were Jadason Davis-Maxey (LJ) and Jackson Hettinger (TJ), while fourth-place finishers were Caleb Fewin (1600, 3200) and Edward Carreto-Martinez (discus).

 

FULL RESULTS: Carl Junction Bulldog Invitational 2022 – Complete Results (milesplit.com)

 

Carl Junction High School hosted a track and field invite on Friday. All photos by Jason Peake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COLLEGE SIGNING: Meeks inks with Southeast Missouri Prep

Posted on by Lucas Davis

College Heights senior Ethan Meeks signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Southeast Missouri Prep on Friday.

Meeks, who was also considering Calvary University and Westminster College, decided to attend Southeast Missouri Prep because the coaches are giving him an opportunity to continue playing the game of basketball, where he will be a power forward. 

“It gives me another chance to play the sport I love,” Meeks said to SoMo Sports. “And I get a chance to get better every day with great coaches and great people around me.”

As Meeks concludes his career as a student-athlete with College Heights, he was quick to point out that he is thankful for everything and everyone at CHC.

“I want to thank all of the people, my coaches and parents, who helped me get to this point,” Meeks said. “Along with all of the coaches believing in me and giving me this opportunity, I want to thank God for giving me the ability to do this and the situation He put me in and all of the people He has put in my life.”

The 6-foot-7 Meeks averaged 10 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as a senior. Meeks made 56 percent of his field goal attempts this past winter for the Cougars, who went 24-5 and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Class 2 state tournament.

BASEBALL: Crooked numbers and dominant pitching lead McAuley past Greenfield

Posted on by Lucas Davis

On the back of a dominant pitching performance from Rocco Bazzano-Joseph, McAuley hung crooked numbers up in its last four at-bats to build an insurmountable lead in an 11-2 win over Greenfield on Friday at Joe Becker Stadium.

With Bazzano-Joseph dealing a shutout on the mound, the Warriors (5-3) and Wildcats (0-7) took a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning when McAuley struck for three runs with two outs. The Warriors added insurance an inning later when four runs touched the plate in the fourth before two more runs scored in the fifth and sixth frames to build a commanding lead en route to the win. 

“I was glad to see our guys come out, play and get past the loss to Exeter last week when we did not play well,” McAuley coach Bryan Jones said. “Defensively, we played well today and had a lot of guys get some chances. I liked seeing the guys get to hit the ball. We had a few guys come off the bench and succeed, which I love to see. I was proud of them.”

ON THE MOUND

Bazzano-Joseph earned the win after striking out 11 batters in five no-hit innings on 67 pitches. He walked one. Michael Parrigon allowed two runs on two hits, a walk and five strikeouts in two relief innings.

“We haven’t gotten a lot of work out of Rocco this season because of the weather,” Jones said. “The one thing I saw that Rocco did well was he started with strikes, and he had command of his fastball and his breaking ball. He did a great job of setting the tone and the pace.”

Austin Pickett took the loss after allowing eight runs, three earned, on five hits, four walks and seven strikeouts in four innings.

GAME ACTION

McAuley broke a scoreless tie with three two-out runs crossing the plate in the last of the third inning. Joe Staton led off the inning with an infield hit on a ground ball up the middle that ricocheted off the pitcher. He was driven in two batters later on a two-out RBI single up the middle from Jack Jones to make the score 1-0. 

“We didn’t do a great job early of recognizing the pitch to hit,” Jones said. “We just didn’t adjust up front. The two-out at-bat by Jack kind of opened the floodgates and gave us the momentum and we carried it into the next inning.”

Kable Reichardt followed with a walk and both runners came around to score on a throwing error by Greenfield with the throw from the catcher ending up in left field on a double steal.

The Warriors added insurance an inning later when Bradley Wagner doubled to left field to lead off the inning before scoring two batters later on a single to center by Tripp Miller to push the lead to 4-0. After another run scored on a Greenfield throwing error after a chopper back to the pitcher, Jones knocked in two more runs with a two-out double to center field to push the lead to 7-0.

“We gave him a rest in the field but wanted him to get some swings in,” Jones said of his designated hitter on Friday. “He did a good job today. He’s been working hard in the cage looking for his pitch to drive. … He is there for that reason. We need him to come up big and he did.”

The Warriors loaded the bases with one out in the fifth inning before Staton singled to center to bring home a run for an eight-run lead. Bazzano-Joseph picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice later in the frame for a 9-0 lead.

After Greenfield touched home twice in the top of the sixth on a two-run triple from Delton Greene, Reichardt drove home a run in the sixth on a groundout. Another run came in on a wild pitch later in the inning.

IN THE BOX

Jones had two hits, three RBI and scored a run to lead McAuley at the plate. Staton had two hits, scored a run and drove in one. Miller had a hit, scored a run and drove in one. Kevin Tran and Wagner each had a hit and scored. 

BOYS TENNIS: Thomas Jefferson takes third at Joplin invite, host Eagles finish fifth

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Thomas Jefferson Cavaliers finished third and the host Eagles were fifth at the Joplin Invitational boys tennis tournament on Friday at the JHS athletic complex.

Branson went 5-0 in duals to claim the invite championship, while Willard went 4-1 to take second. Thomas Jefferson went 3-2, Glendale finished 1-3-1, Joplin went 0-3-2 and Clever finished 0-4-1.

 

THOMAS JEFFERSON RESULTS

Willard defeated Thomas Jefferson 3-1. 

At No. 1 singles, Caden Lingenfelser defeated Prithvi Nagarajan 6-1, while Alex Crawford beat Lala Chengle 6-2 at No. 2 singles.

At No. 1 doubles, Thomas Jefferson’s Ian Ding and Tyler Brouhard defeated Dawson Amstutz-Brigham Thedell 6-1. At No. 2 doubles, Willard’s Seth Miller-Parker Solum edged TJ’s Devan Murali-Jack Goodhue 7-6 (7-3 tie-breaker). 

Branson defeated Thomas Jefferson 3-1. 

In singles, Branson’s Nate Bartram defeated Nagarajan 7-6 (7-2) and Hayes Stark topped Chengle 6-3.

Ding-Brouhard defeated Garrett Beckham-Jacob Decker 6-2 at No. 1 doubles, while Branson’s Wyatt Carlson-Josh Bartram defeated Murali-Goodhue 6-4 at No. 2 doubles. 

Thomas Jefferson defeated Glendale 4-0.

In singles, Nagarajan beat Eli Hancock 6-1 and Chengle topped Tommaso Nobis 6-0.

Ding-Brouhard defeated Carson Johnson-Jack Barnes 6-0 and Murali-Goodhue beat Eli Thomas-Colin Harris 6-0.

The Cavaliers defeated Joplin 4-0. 

In singles, Nagarajan defeated Aidan Kester 6-0 and Chengle beat Chapel Braman 6-1.

Ding-Brouhard beat Adam Badr-Josiah Hazlewood 6-1 and Murali-Goodhue defeated Michael Mancipe-Hunter Merkley 6-1.

The Cavaliers defeated Clever 4-0.

In singles, Nagarajan defeated Cole Waisner and Chengle beat Jase Whiles. In doubles, Ding-Brouhard beat Dylan Dodds-Anthony Dodds and Murali-Goodhue defeated Cade Clements-Kaden Smith.

 

JOPLIN RESULTS

The Eagles tied Clever 2-2.

Clever’s Waisner and Whiles earned 6-0 wins over Kester and Braman in singles. 

The Eagles won the doubles matches, as Badr-Hazlewood beat Dodds-Dodds 6-0 and Mancipe-Merkley defeated Clements-Smith 6-1.

Joplin tied Glendale 2-2. 

The Falcons won singles matches, while the Eagles won both doubles matches. 

Joplin suffered 4-0 losses to both Branson and Willard. 

Against the Pirates, the Eagles dropped the singles matches and the No. 1 doubles match by 6-0 scores. The Pirates beat the Eagles 6-1 at No. 2 doubles.

Willard won the singles matches against Joplin 6-0 and 6-1, respectively. The Tigers beat the Eagles 6-3 at No. 1 doubles and 6-2 at No. 2 doubles. 

In what turned out to be the de facto championship dual, Branson defeated Willard 3-1. 

 

BASEBALL: Carl Junction names Phillip Cook as new head coach for 2023 season

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Carl Junction High School has named Dr. Phillip Cook as their new head baseball coach for the 2023 season.

Dr. Phillip Cook has been named the Carl Junction baseball coach for the 2023 season. Courtesy photo.

Cook will be adding these coaching duties to his current role as Superintendent of Schools.

“Coach Cook is a part of the history of this program, and now he will be part of the future,” said Carl Junction Athletic Director Rich Neria in a press release on Friday. “I know that he loves Carl Junction, the kids, and I know he loves baseball. Our team and the individual players saw a lot of success when he was coaching. We are looking forward to the future with him leading our baseball program on the field.”

Cook played high school baseball at Baxter Springs High School under Don Karnes. He began his college career at Allen County Community College under Coach Val McLean and transferred to Pittsburg State when they started their program in 1991 under Coach Steve Bever. Cook was a team captain at PSU for two years.

Following graduation, Cook taught social studies and coached baseball at Fairland, Oklahoma, for five years before coming to Carl Junction in 1997. He finished his baseball coaching career three years later as his 2000 team played in the state championship game. From there, Cook took a promotion to high school assistant principal. Two years later, he made a move to the District Office as the Assistant Superintendent, and in 2005, he became Superintendent of Schools at Carl Junction.

Cook’s overall coaching record stands at 160-64, with seven out of eight district championships.

Cook will be replacing Jake Stevenson as the Bulldogs’ coach for the 2023 season. Stevenson is following a similar path as he will now be an assistant principal at the intermediate school.

“I am so proud of Jake,” said Cook in the release. “He has been a great role model for our students on the field and as a teacher in the Kindergarten – 1st Grade Building. As he steps into this next role, he will have an opportunity to continue his influence with more students. He has the leadership qualities that you look for in education leadership. He is smart and cares deeply for students and his fellow educators. I can see Jake as a superintendent in Carl Junction one day.”

“I played at Carl Junction and was fortunate to make my way back to coach here,” Stevenson said in the release. “Joining the leadership in CJ has been my goal, and when the position at Intermediate Building became available, I knew that is where I was supposed to be. I’m looking forward to watching the next steps for Bulldog baseball. We have a baseball tradition and culture that has been a part of this program for a long time. Coach Cook helped build this program and will keep it strong for the years to come.”

“Baseball has always been a part of my life,” Cook said in the release. “I have missed being involved with kids at this level. As I look at my former players today, I am so proud of them. They were not only winners on the field, but they have become winners in life. Athletics is such an important part of education. I’m looking forward to influencing kids in another way.”

TRACK & FIELD: Athletes from College Heights Christian, McAuley Catholic compete at Lamar

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

LAMAR, Mo. — College Heights Christian and McAuley Catholic were among the teams competing at Thursday’s Lamar Rotary Relays track meet.

For College Heights Christian’s boys, Colsen Dickens finished third in the 400-meter run in 52.9 seconds. Ethan Ukena placed fifth in the triple jump, while Caleb Quade took seventh in both the 800 and the high jump. 

The CHC team of Zach Beaty, Dickens, Ukena and Matt Williams finished sixth in the 4×100 relay. The Cougars were also sixth in the 4×800. 

McAuley Catholic’s Michael Parrigon finished third in the 1600 in 4:50 and also took sixth in the 800 with a time of 2:09. 

The Warriors were eighth in the 4×200 relay, with Jacob Bracich, Jake Higginbotham, Dylan Taffner and Jack Jones competing. 

The team of Armando Alberto, Phillip Motazedi, Grant Horinek and Drew Zeb took eighth in the 4×800. 

Other local event winners in the boys meet were East Newton’s Chase Sorrell (800), Gabe Bergen (300H), Michael Crowe (HJ) and Dominic Shaw (discus), Monett’s Konner Poynter (100, 200, 400) and Julio Cruz (3200), Mount Vernon’s Wyatt Cordray (110H), Nevada’s Drew Beachler (LJ, TJ) and Lukas Higgins (shot put) and Lamar’s Trace Wilhite (javelin). 

The top five boys teams were Lamar (109.5), East Newton (88), Nevada (78), Butler (65) and Pittsburg, Kansas (64.5). 

For the McAuley girls, Kendall Ramsey won the 3200 in 13:47 and also finished fourth in the 1600 with a time of 6:07.

College Heights Christian’s Emily Winters was sixth in the 400. 

For the Seneca girls, Rylee Darnell was third in the high jump, Cambry Long took fourth in the 400 and Katelyn Fyock was sixth in the long jump.

Other local event winners in the girls meet were Monett’s Karlee McCallister (100, javelin), Jasper’s Crystal Smith (200, 110 hurdles, 300H), Lamar’s Marcy Miller (HJ) and Elise Ferris (LJ), Nevada’s Lillian Hart (TJ) and Liberal’s Abby Barton (800). 

Nevada and Lamar both finished with 98 points in the team standings. Monett (76), Pittsburg (56) and Butler (51) rounded out the top five teams.

There were 21 teams in attendance. 

FULL RESULTS: Lamar Rotary Relays 2022 – Lamar HS Results (Raw) (milesplit.com)

TRACK & FIELD: Joplin athletes set meet, school records at Willard invite

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WILLARD, Mo. — The Joplin Eagles had a record-setting evening at the Jason Pyrah Invitational on Thursday at Willard High School. 

Joplin’s Donovyn Fowler set meet records in the jumps, Donovahn Watkins bested the meet record in the shot put, while Jennalee Dunn and Hobbs Campbell surpassed previous school and meet records in their respective distance events. 

A senior, Fowler won both the long jump (23-5.5) and the triple jump (48-5.25). An Oklahoma signee, Fowler bested his own meet record in the long jump while topping the previous meet record in the triple jump by two feet. 

A junior, Campbell was the runner-up in the 1600-meter run with a school record time of 4:17. New Covenant’s Tanner Talley won the event in 4:12. Both Talley and Campbell bested the previous meet record time of 4:24.

Campbell also placed second in the 800-meter run in 1:57.74. Talley won the race in 1:54. Both runners topped the previous meet record of 1:57.85.

A senior, Watkins won the shot put with a heave of 60-6. The previous meet record was 59-1.

Joplin finished second in both the 4×100 and 4×400 relays, and the Eagles placed third in both the 4×800 and 4×200 relays.

Orion Norris took fourth in the 100-meter dash and was sixth in both the 200 and 400, while Ian Horton finished fifth in the 3200. 

Korey Read placed fifth in the 110 hurdles, Avarus Kuhn-Wofford and Gustavo Onate finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 300 hurdles and Evan Matlock finished fifth in the 800 and sixth in the 1600.

Also for the JHS boys, Zaben Barnes took sixth in the 3200, with Grey Edwards seventh, Logan Bever was seventh in the pole vault and Luke Vieselmeyer took seventh in the high jump. 

Joplin’s boys finished second in the team standings with 119.5 points. Willard was first with 132.5. 

A senior who has signed with Cornell, Dunn won the girls 1600-meter run, breaking her own school record and setting a meet record with a time of 5:03. Dunn, 10 seconds faster than the runner-up in the event, shattered the previous meet record of 5:15. 

Brynn Driver placed second in the triple jump (32-9.75) and also finished third in the 400 with a time of 1:01. 

Maria Loum and Allie Lawrence finished third and fourth, respectively, in the pole vault, while Abigail Eckert finished fifth in the long jump, Claire Jasper was fifth in the shot put, Lawrence placed sixth in the 200 and Mairi Beranek was eighth in the 3200. 

The JHS girls were second in both the 4×100 and 4×200 relays and third in the 4×400. 

Joplin’s girls finished fourth in the team standings with 72 points. Nixa (89), Clever (87.5) and Marshfield (74) were the top three teams. 

McDonald County’s Mariana Salas won the girls javelin with a meet record toss of 115-10.

For the Mac County boys, Cole Thomas won the javelin (30.25m) and Joshua Pacheco was third in the long jump.

 

FULL RESULTS: Jason Pyrah Invitational 2022 – Willard Jason Pyrah Invite (Raw) (milesplit.com)

ROUNDUP: McDonald County baseball; College Height softball earn wins; other area teams in action

Posted on by Lucas Davis

MCDONALD COUNTY BASEBALL 8, CASSVILLE 0

ANDERSON, Mo. — Class 5 sixth-ranked McDonald County used a four-run second inning on the back of a no-hitter from Cross Dowd on the way to a shutout win over Cassville on Thursday.

Dowd earned the no-hit shutout win for McDonald County (16-4) on 95 pitches. He struck out 13 and walked two.

Devin Bailey took the loss after allowing four runs, two earned, on two hits, four walks and two strikeouts in two innings.

Destyn Dowd had two hits and scored a run, while Cross Dowd had a hit and scored twice. Levi Helm and Weston Gordon each had a hit and scored.

 

REPUBLIC BASEBALL 5, CARTHAGE 3

REPUBLIC, Mo. — Republic held a 5-1 lead after five innings and held off a late rally from Carthage on Thursday.

Gavyn Beckner earned the win after allowing two runs on eight hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in six innings. Ace McWatters earned the save after allowing two runs on five hits in one relief inning.

Kaden Arr took the loss after allowing five runs, three earned, on six hits, six walks and six strikeouts in five innings of work.

Carthage started the rally with two outs in the sixth after Sylas Browning, who singled to left to start the inning, scored on a double steal, with Nate Norbury taking second after reaching with a single. 

Clay Kinder and Ty Perry had back to back RBI singles in the top of the seventh with two away but the final out was made with the tying run on second.

Braxdon Tate and Logan Carmickle each had three hits, with Carmickle driving in one and scoring once to lead Carthage at the plate. Caden Kabance and Browning had a hit and scored a run. 

 

OZARK 12, NEOSHO 0 (5 INNINGS)

OZARK, Mo. — Ozark scored 11 runs in the first three innings on the way to a five-inning Central Ozark Conference win over Neosho on Thursday.

The Tigers scored three times in the first inning, five times in the second and three more runs in the third to build a commanding lead before adding a single tally in the fourth frame to score a run in every at-bat.

Devyn Wright earned the complete-game win after throwing five scoreless innings on three hits and two strikeouts.

Austin Rodriguez took the loss after allowing eight runs, three earned, on four hits, three walks and a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings.

Cooper Buvid doubled and had two RBI and scored twice, while Brady Dodd had a hit, scored a run and drove in three.

River Brill, Carter Fenske and Carter Baslee registered hits for Neosho

 

LIBERAL BASEBALL 6, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 5

LIBERAL, Mo. — Liberal broke a back-and-forth 5-5 tie with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning on the way to a win over College Heights on Thursday.

The Cougars and Bulldogs exchanged two runs in the second inning before CHC added a single tally in the top of the third to take the lead. Liberal regained the lead with a three-run fifth before College Heights scored twice in the top of the sixth to tie things up at 5-5. The Bulldogs pushed across the go-ahead run in the last of the sixth to earn the win.

Kole Wiles earned the win after allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits, four walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Matthew Boehne earned the save after pitching a scoreless seventh inning on one hit.

Ben Thomas took the loss after allowing six runs, four earned, on seven hits, four walks and a strikeout.

Payton Morrow had two hits, including a double, and two RBI. Chase Ray had one hit and one RBI, while Boehne had a hit, scored a run and drove in one.

Josh Anderson had two hits, including a double, and three RBI for CHC. Austin Miller and Kelton Welch each had a hit and scored a run, with Welch adding an RBI.

 

COLLEGE HEIGHTS SOFTBALL 6, LIBERAL 3

LIBERAL, Mo. — Playing as the home team after inclement weather forced the game to Liberal, College Heights (with McAuley) built a four-run lead through the first three innings on the way to a win over the Bulldogs on Thursday.

The Cougars (13-2) took the initial lead in the bottom of the first when Kloee Williamson singled home Jayli Johnson before she touched the plate later in the frame on an RBI groundout by Maddy Colin for a 2-0 lead. Addie Lawrence hit an inside-the-park home run that scored Williamson, who singled with one out in the inning, in the third inning to push the lead to 4-0.

Liberal (with Bronaugh) had a three-run fourth inning highlighted by an RBI double from Jordan Goodell.

Lawrence tripled to right field in the bottom of the fourth inning to plate two runs to wrap the scoring in the game.

Colin earned the win after allowing three unearned runs on two hits and 13 strikeouts in seven complete innings.

Kyla Porter took the loss after allowing six runs, three earned, on eight hits, a walk and four strikeouts in six innings.

Lawrence homered and tripled to go along with four RBI and a run scored to lead CHC at the plate. Williamson had three hits, scored three runs and added an RBI and a walk. Colin, Aaliyah Perez and Lauren Ukena each had hits, while Johnson scored twice.

BASEBALL: Webb City rallies late, earns COC win at No. 7 Branson

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

BRANSON, Mo. — Webb City plated four runs in the final two innings to earn a 5-3 come-from-behind win over Branson on Thursday in a Central Ozark Conference clash at Pirate Park. 

The Cardinals trailed 3-1 when they rallied for two runs apiece in both the sixth and seventh innings, avenging an early-season loss to the Pirates in the process. 

Receiving votes in the Class 5 poll, Webb City got back to .500 at 10-10 overall and the Cardinals are now 3-2 in the COC. 

No. 7 Branson fell to 12-7 overall and 0-5 in the COC. 

The Cardinals pushed across a single tally in the first, as Cy Darnell tripled to right-center and later scored on a fielder’s choice. 

The Pirates plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth. After a hit by pitch and a walk, the tying run scored after a fielder’s choice and an error. Next, Carter Jenkins connected for a two-run home run to left, giving Branson a two-run advantage. 

The Cardinals tied it up with two runs in the sixth. Kenley Hood singled and Jeremiah Leaming reached on an error. After two outs, Cade Wilson singled to right. An error on the throw back in allowed a run to score.

Next, the Pirates failed to corral Kolton Eilenstein’s grounder, and the game was deadlocked at three after Branson’s third error of the frame. 

Webb City took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. Eric Fitch and Cy Darnell both singled before a balk moved the runners to second and third. 

Next, McQuade Eilenstein smacked a go-ahead, two-run double to the fence in left field, giving the Cardinals a 5-3 lead.

Branson put two runners on-base in the bottom of the seventh, but Webb City reliever Walker Sweet retired the side. 

Kaylor Darnell started for the Cardinals. He went five innings and allowed no earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out six. 

Sweet fanned three and gave up one hit in two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. 

The Cardinals recorded nine hits. Cy Darnell and Hood had two hits apiece. 

Collin Ross started for Branson and allowed one earned runs on five hits in five innings. Andrew Bristow was charged with the loss after allowing two earned runs on four hits in two innings.

Webb City will take on a pair of state-ranked Class 6 teams on Saturday in St. Charles — No. 10 Francis Howell and No. 5 Rock Bridge.

BOYS GOLF: With top three scores, McAuley Catholic wins triangular vs. Thomas Jefferson, Diamond

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

With the top three individuals, the McAuley Catholic boys golf team won a triangular on Thursday at Schifferdecker Golf Course. 

The Warriors turned in a four-person score of 182, while Thomas Jefferson had a 201 and Diamond had a 227.

McAuley’s Evan D’Amour was the medalist with a 40, while teammates Rocco Bazzano-Joseph (43) and Joe Staton (45) finished second and third, respectively. 

Also competing for the Warriors were Trey Martinez (54) and Jeffery Horinek (56). 

Thomas Jefferson’s Luke Miller, Caden Myers and Jack Tyrrell all carded 49. Also for the Cavaliers, Jake Jarrett and Tony Touma both carded 54.

Diamond’s top performer was Nathan Gray, who shot 51. Also competing for the Wildcats were Kyler Terry (57), Peyton Marbough (59), Ty Douglas (60) and Luke Lorenzen (64).

The teams played the par-36 front nine. 

BOYS TENNIS ROUNDUP: Joplin, Neosho suffer COC losses; Thomas Jefferson improves to 9-0

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

REPUBLIC 8, JOPLIN 1

Republic earned an 8-1 win over Joplin in a Central Ozark Conference boys tennis dual on Thursday at the JHS athletic complex.

Joplin’s lone win of the dual came at No. 2 singles, as Michael Mancipe defeated Garrett Carpenter 8-3.

“The highlight for this evening was Michael’s performance,” Joplin coach Aaron Stump said. “Michael plays consistent points and doesn’t have many unforced errors, which has been his strength this season. I was happy to see him win a match for our team.”

The Tigers won the other five singles matches and the three doubles matches. 

“Our No. 1 player was out again today, but we are optimistic about having him return to play next week,” Stump said. “Adam Badr and Josiah Hazlewood are communicating well and winning quite a few points in doubles, as are the team of Michael Mancipe and Hunter Merkley. Our No. 3 doubles team has shuffled players in recent matches, but they are improving.”

In doubles, Republic’s Braden Snyder-Chase Elder defeated Badr-Hazlewood 8-3, while Carpenter-Markus Mitchell topped Mancipe-Merkley 8-3 and Curtis Fair-Bryce Martin beat Chapel Braman-Alexei Kester 8-1.

At No. 1 singles, Republic’s Snyder beat Badr 8-4, while Elder won the No. 3 singles match over Hazlewood 8-0.

In other singles matches, Mitchell defeated Merkley 8-3, Fair beat Kester 8-1 and Martin topped Braman 8-2.

 

BRANSON 9, NEOSHO 0

The Pirates earned a clean sweep against the Wildcats in Central Ozark Conference action.

In singles, Neosho’s Christian Williams and Peyton Williams suffered 8-1 losses, while Ryno Lee, Chandler Weber, Jacob Leibham and Wesley Williams all fell by 8-0 scores.

In doubles, Branson’s Jack Dawson-Preston Volz defeated Christian Williams-Peyton Williams 8-3, while Andrew Makuch-Heath Stark beat Lee-Weber 8-2 and Josh Brown-Cash Davis defeated Leibham-Wesley Williams 8-5.

 

THOMAS JEFFERSON 9, GREENWOOD 0

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Thomas Jefferson improved its record to 9-0.

Thomas Jefferson’s Ian Ding, Prithvi Nagarajan, Tyler Brouhard and Devan Murali all won their respective singles matches 8-0, while Lala Qian and Hari Nagarajan won their matches 8-1.

In doubles, Ding-Brouhard beat William Schaller-Gavin Duncan 8-3, Prithvi Nagarajan-Qian defeated Garett Tsubira-John Holmes 8-0 and Murali-Jack Goodhue topped Andrew Scott-Sanjeev-Maganti 8-1.

BASEBALL: Michel’s three-run walk-off home run sends No. 2 Nixa past Joplin

Posted on by Lucas Davis

NIXA, Mo. — Class 6 second-ranked Nixa and Joplin took a 1-1 pitcher’s duel into the last of the seventh inning before Rylan Michel ripped a 3-2 pitch off the scoreboard in left field for a three-run walk-off home run to send Nixa to a 4-1 win in district and Central Ozark Conference action on Thursday.

Masen Eagleburger led off the bottom of the seventh with an infield hit before Sam Russo singled with one out two batters later to put runners at the corners for Nixa (18-1, 4-0 COC). Russo moved to second later on a stolen base on the first pitch of Michel’s at-bat to set up the home run.

While the loss against Nixa is the first against a conference foe this season for Joplin (9-9, 4-1 COC), it is also the first against state ranked opponents with three previous wins coming against Springfield Catholic, Webb City and Branson. Joplin continues to navigate state ranked teams on its schedule with a home COC matchup against Class 6 eighth-ranked Kickapoo, also a district game, on Monday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

ON THE MOUND

Hardy Dougan earned the complete-game win after limiting Joplin to one run on five hits, one walk and six strikeouts on 106 pitches in seven innings of work.

Ethan Guilford took the tough-luck loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits, three walks and three strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

GAME ACTION

Joplin took the initial lead with a two-out run in the top of the second inning after Byler Reither singled up the middle off of Dougan’s glove and into center field to bring home Tyler Duley, who was courtesy running for Tyler Schumann.

Guilford worked around traffic in the third, fourth and fifth innings to keep the shutout intact through the first five frames. Nixa stranded two runners in the third, the bases loaded in the fourth and Guilford induced a 4-6-3 double play in the fifth with runners on first and second and one out in the inning.

Nixa led the sixth inning off with a single by Jack Edwards before courtesy runner Alex Thomason was called out and ejected for interference at second base after colliding with Bodee Carlson on a throw to the second-base bag in an attempt to break up a double play on a fielder’s choice groundout by Tanner Grant. With two outs in the inning, John Gholson followed with a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1.

AT THE PLATE

Russo had two hits and scored a run, while Gholson and Michel homered. Michel had three RBI and scored a run, while Gholson had one RBI and scored once.
Reither had two hits and an RBI to lead Joplin. Kyler Stokes, Schumann and Carlson also recorded base hits.

Neosho’s Lineberry, state title teams inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame; Joplin’s Burkhart recognized with Wynn Award

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Former longtime Neosho High School cross country and track and field coach Harry Lineberry, his two championship squads and former Joplin High School volleyball standout Neely Burkhart were among those honored at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame’s Women’s Sports Luncheon on Wednesday at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center.

Lineberry and Neosho’s state championship 1983 and ’84 girls cross country teams were inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Burkhart was recognized with a Wynn Award, which is named in honor of the late Dr. Mary Jo Wynn, the pioneer of women’s athletics at Missouri State University.

Lineberry coached track and field and cross country for 33 years (1979-2011) at Neosho High School. 

His ’83 and ’84 girls cross country teams won Class 4 state championships. Additionally, his boys and girls track and field teams combined for nearly 30 conference championships. Lineberry’s girls and boys cross country squads won 18 conference championships, 10 district titles and six sectional championships. 

Lineberry is a 1966 graduate of Slater High School, where he was a five-time state medalist in track and field. He graduated from Missouri Valley College in 1970 after earning four letters in track and cross country. 

Lineberry initially worked for the Miami school district and then for Marshall High School.

Lineberry is a 2008 inductee of the Missouri Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Neosho’s girls cross country squads of ’83 and ’84 won Class 4 state team championships, becoming the first in Southwest Missouri to do so. 

Coached by Lineberry, the ’83 Wildcats featured Deanna Cole, Teresa Morehead, Tammy Townsend, Dawn Davies, Debbie Groh and Becky Freund. 

Townsend won the first of her two state titles (19:33), and Morehead placed sixth and Freund was seventh. The ’84 team had everybody back from the year before – and added freshmen Amber Townsend and Tracy Morehead. 

Tammy Townsend won state, improving on her ’83 time by five seconds and beating a field of 146 other runners. Amber Townsend was 12th. 

That team had placed third in districts as Lineberry withheld an injured Teresa Morehead, whose return helped fuel sectional and state team victories.

The Wynn Award recognizes former high school, college and Olympic athletes who made positive impacts on women’s sports, or those who contributed to the advancement of women’s sports in the Show-State.

Burkhart was one of the top volleyball players in the region in the early 1990s. She was an all-conference, all-district and all-area selection in both her junior and senior seasons at Joplin High School. Burkhart also earned all-region recognition as a senior. 

After her prep career, Burkhart went on to become a four-year starter at outside hitter for Missouri Southern. 

A two-year captain for the Lions, Burkhart ranks in the top 10 in six different statistical categories at MSSU, including first in digs (1776), second in aces (211), third in attack attempts (3957), fourth in kills (1421) and fourth in hitting percentage (.268).

Burkhart, was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection in 1994 and a second team pick in both ’95 and ’96, is a member of the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Burkhart is a physical therapist with Freeman Health Systems in Joplin.

 

MORE INFORMATION: https://mosportshalloffame.com/hall-of-fame-inducts-judy-rankin-at-womens-sports-luncheon/

 

Missouri Southern State University Athletics Hall of Fame (touchpros.com)

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