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SECTIONAL TRACK: Athletes from College Heights, Thomas Jefferson, McAuley Catholic secure state berths

 

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. — College Heights Christian, Thomas Jefferson Independent and McAuley Catholic all had athletes secure state berths by finishing in the top-four of their respective events at sectional track meets on Saturday at School of the Ozarks. 

 

CLASS 1 SECTIONAL 4

Highlighted by three wins in the relays, the College Heights boys advanced to state in six events and finished second in the team standings with 60 points. Hermitage was first with 85.

The Cougars won the 4×100 relay in 45.83 seconds, with Zach Beaty, Colsen Dickens, Ethan Ukena and Matt Williams competing. 

College Heights also took first in the 4×200, as Beaty, Dickens, Caleb Quade and Ukena recorded a time of 1:35. CHC’s 4×400 recorded a winning time of 3:38 and featured Beaty, Dickens, Derrick McMillan and Quade. 

Also for College Heights, Dickens finished second in the 400 (52.8) and Ukena was the runner-up in the triple jump (40-11.75).

Williams placed fourth in the 100-meter dash in 11.94 seconds. A sophomore, Williams just missed advancing in the 200, as he finished fifth. 

Thomas Jefferson’s Kip Atteberry advanced to state in three individual events. The junior won the 1600 in 4:39, took first in the 3200 in 10:33 and finished second in the 800 in 2:03. Cavaliers coach Junior Joseph said Atteberry set new school record times in both the 800 and 1600. 

TJ’s Elias Rincker finished third in the 300 hurdles in 45.09 seconds to advance. 

McAuley Catholic did not have a state-qualifier on the boys side. Michael Parrigon just missed advancing in the 1600, as he finished fifth. Parrigon was also sixth in the 800 and Joe Staton was sixth in the pole vault. McAuley’s 4×400 and 4×800 relays both finished eighth.

Thomas Jefferson’s girls advanced in four events. 

Thomas Jefferson’s 4×100 relay team of Avery Hocker, Nico Carlson, Gabbi Hiebert and Alivia Beard finished third in a school record time of 54.27 seconds.  The Cavaliers also finished third in the 4×800, with Macie Shifferd, Samantha Seto, Mia Grubbs and Sarah Mueller recording a time of 11:51. 

TJ’s Avery Hocker was the runner-up in the triple jump (31-11.5) and Lannah Grigg placed third in the discus (85-8), 

McAuley Catholic’s Kendall Ramsey placed third in the 3200 with a time of 13:41. A sophomore, Ramsey was also seventh in the 1600. 

In other boys highlights, Lockwood’s Connor Lewandowski won the 100-meter dash, Liberal’s Caleb Suschnick was the triple jump champ and Jasper’s Juan Rivera won the pole vault. 

On the girls side, Liberal’s Abby Barton won the 800 and Jasper’s Crystal Smith won both hurdles races and the high jump.

 

CLASS 2 SECTIONAL 3

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. — College Heights Christian’s girls competed at the Class 2 Sectional 3 meet hosted by School of the Ozarks. The Cougars had state-qualifiers in six events. 

College Heights junior standout Addie Lawrence won two individual events. 

Lawrence crossed the line first in the 200-meter dash in 26.3 seconds and also took first in the 400-meter run in 58.16 seconds. 

The Cougars also won two relays. The CHC team of Jayli Johnson, Lawrence, Lauren Ukena and Emily Winters won the 4×200 in 1:48. College Heights’ 4×400 relay won in 4:10 and featured Johnson, Lawrence, Ukena and Katie Moss. 

Also for the CHC girls, Johnson was third in the 400 (1:01) and Ukena took fourth in the 300 hurdles (51.39).

CHC’s girls just missed qualifying in the 4×800, as Marla Anderegg, Madelynn Jordan, Moss and Winters finished fifth. 

College Heights finished fourth in the team standings with 62 points. Skyline (84), Spokane (72) and Blue Eye (67) were the top three teams.

In other girls highlights, Sarcoxie’s McKenna Bass and Miller’s Payten Richardson finished second and third, respectively, in the 100-meter dash. Sarcoxie’s Madison Chrisman took second in the 100 hurdles and Diamond’s Jernie DeWitt was the runner-up in the triple jump. Pierce City’s Hayden Kramer placed third in the discus and Sarcoxie’s Nikki Roth was fourth in the javelin.

In boys highlights, Miller’s Beau Hall won the 100, while teammate Brenden Thom took first in both the 200 and 400. Diamond’s Chase Housh was second in the 400, while Sarcoxie’s Gabreal Price was the runner-up in the javelin. Sarcoxie’s Jaron Malotte placed third in both the 110 hurdles and the pole vault and Sarcoxie won the 4×100 relay. 

The MSHSAA Class 1-2 Track & Field Championships are May 20-21 in Jefferson City.

DISTRICT TRACK & FIELD: East Newton boys, Lamar girls win team titles; Seneca girls among sectional qualifiers

 

East Newton’s boys and Lamar’s girls were the team champions at the Class 3 District 6 track meet on Saturday at Lamar High School. 

Seneca, Mount Vernon, Cassville and Aurora all had sectional qualifiers.

The top four in each event advanced to next weekend’s sectional in Hollister. 

 

SENECA

Seneca’s girls team will be well-represented at the sectional meet.

Isabella Renfro was the runner-up in the shot put, while Rylee Darnell and Katelyn Fyock placed third and fourth in the high jump. Fyock also qualified in both the long jump (third) and triple jump (fourth).

Cambry Long placed fourth in the 400, while Danessa Macy was fourth in the 100 hurdles.

The Seneca girls placed third in the 4×200 relay, with Kamryn Fox, Makenzie French, Addyson Jones and Macy competing.

 

EAST NEWTON 

East Newton’s boys claimed the team championship with 134 points.

The Patriots won the 4×400 relay and took third in the 4×800. 

Kelton Sorrell won the 800 and the 3200 and was second in the 1600. Chase Sorrell won the 1600 and took second in both the 800 and 3200.

Gabe Bergen won the 300 hurdles and was the runner-up in the 400 and the 110 hurdles. 

Nathan Evey was the district champ in the pole vault, while Michael Crowe was second in the high jump and Dominic Shaw placed second in the discus and fourth in the shot put.

For the East Newton girls, Alyssa Coffey was third in the discus. 

 

LAMAR

The Lamar boys were second in the team standings with 127 points. 

Lamar’s boys won three relays (4×100, 4×200, 4×800) and were third in the 4×400.

Trace Willhite won the discus and the javelin. Tyson Williams was third in the discus and Austin Wilkerson was fourth in the javelin. 

Terrill Davis was second in the long jump, Joel Beshore placed third in the 300 hurdles and fourth in the 100-meter dash, Thomas Gammon was third in the 400 and Blaine Breshears took third in the 800 and fourth in the 1600.

The Lamar girls compiled 122 points to win the team title. Clever was second with 111. 

The Lamar girls were first in the 4×100, first in the 4×200 and third in the 4×400.

Phajjia Gordon won the shot put and the discus and took second in the javelin.

Marcy Miller was the runner-up in both the high jump and triple jump and also placed fourth in the javelin. 

Kyleigh Talbott was second in the 100, Kiersten Potter placed second in the 3200 and third in the 1600, while Elise Ferris was second in the long jump. 

 

MOUNT VERNON

Wyatt Cordray won the 110 hurdles and took second in the 300 hurdles. Earl Trimble was fourth in the pole vault. 

Kadence Krempges won the girls pole vault, Nina Cowherd took third in the 100 and Hunter Gaddy took fourth in the shot put. 

The Mountaineers were second in the 4×100. 

 

CASSVILLE

Cassville’s boys took second in the 4×800 relay and were fourth in the three other relays (4×100, 4×200, 4×400).

Bradan Dickinson won the shot put, Eli Pickett finished second in the boys pole vault, while Caleb Leach took third in the 1600 and Peter Littlefield was fourth in the 800 and the high jump.

For the Cassville girls, Annie Moore was the runner-up in the pole vault, while Riley Morris took second in the discus.

Jolie Evans and Tori Mitchell finished third and fourth in the 800. Aaliyah Franklin was third in the shot put and Landry Parnell finished third in the javelin. 

The Cassville girls won the 4×800 and took third in the 4×400.

 

AURORA

Aurora’s Daunte Floyd finished fourth in the triple jump. 

For the Aurora girls, Maisie Phillips won the 300 hurdles, Makena Hall took third in the triple jump and placed fourth in both the long jump and the 100 hurdles.

FULL RESULTS: Class 3 District 6 2022 – Complete Results (Raw) (milesplit.com)

DISTRICT TRACK & FIELD: Webb City girls win district title, boys take 2nd; Bulldogs, Mustangs, Cubs advance to sectional 

 

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — With their overall team depth on full display, Webb City’s girls and boys finished first and second, respectively, in the final team standings at Saturday’s Class 4 District 6 track meet at Bulldog Stadium.

With 10 top-two finishes, the Webb City girls compiled 149 points. Marshfield was second with 131 points and Carl Junction took third with 115.5.

“I think the girls exceeded expectations in a lot of areas today,” Webb City coach Dustin Miller said. “They flipped the script in a few events and I know there were a lot of PRs. They’ve got a lot of momentum right now and I’m really proud of the ladies’ effort today.”

On the boys side, Webb City finished second in the team standings with 130 points. Willard took first with 193.

“I’m really proud of the guys,” Miller said. “We evaluated it coming in and we knew Willard had a really strong group. Willard had a heck of a meet and we had a great meet, too. We qualified everything we wanted to. We qualified in everything we were supposed to and we had kids qualify in the hurdles that weren’t supposed to. I’m really proud of how we performed today.”

The top-four in each event qualified for next weekend’s sectional meet in Waynesville. 

Both Webb City squads advanced in 13 events. The girls will have 16 sectional entries, with the boys at 15. 

“It was hot and we’re not used to it yet, but I’m proud of the effort,” Miller said. “We’ll see what happens next week. We’re excited for the challenge.” 

In addition to the Cardinals, Carl Junction, McDonald County and Monett all had numerous sectional qualifiers.

Webb City’s Abi Street and Riley Hawkins are pictured during Saturday’s district track meet at Carl Junction. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

WEBB CITY HIGHLIGHTS

The Webb City girls had five first-place finishes and five second-place finishes.  

Riley Hawkins was a double winner for the Cardinals, as the Missouri Southern signee won the 800-meter run in 2 minutes, 22 seconds and took first in the 1600 in 5:39. Hawkins also placed second in the 3200. 

Hawkins’ teammate Abi Street won the 3200 in 12:05 and was the runner-up in the 1600 (5:42).

“Just another day at the office for Riley,” Miller said. “Abi Street looked better than what she has in both the 1600 and 3200.”  

Webb City’s Dawsyn Decker won the javelin with a toss of 125-7. 

The 4×800 relay team of Sophia Crane, Izzy Lopez, Alanna Bundy and Elliett Capron took first in 10:32. 

Webb City’s team of Essence Robinson, Lopez, Hawkins and Bundy finished second in the 4×400 relay, while the Cardinals were third in the 4×200, with Robinson, Hally Philpot, Kylie Jennings and Chase Stilley competing. 

Ripley Shanks was the runner-up in the pole vault (9-8.5) and Aubree Lassiter took second in the discus (106-2).

Robinson took third in the long jump and the 400, Stilley placed third in the high jump, while Bundy finished third in the 800 and Sami Mancini finished fourth in the shot put.

Pictured is Webb City’s Grayson Smith. A junior, Smith won the pole vault at the Class 4 District 6 meet on Saturday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

Webb City’s boys had a top-four showing in 13 events, with four champs and seven runners-up. 

Webb City’s Grayson Smith won the pole vault with a new personal best and school record mark of 16-4.75. 

“Grayson going five meters in the vault was huge,” Miller said. “He’s come back from his injury well and he’s been vaulting really well in practice. He really wanted five meters today and he got it. He had a PR and is tied for first in the state. He’s top 20 in the nation right now and he’ll have a shot to improve upon that going forward.” 

Webb City had two of the top four in the pole vault, as Justin Allen took fourth (12-11.5).

“I know Justin can be an all-stater if things go right,” Miller noted. 

The Cardinals were first and second in the javelin, as Trey Roets took first (155-1) and Lucas Ott was a close second (154-3).

“It was big for our guys to go 1-2,” Miller noted.

Evan Stevens won the 3200 with a time of 10:04, while Roman Borboa was the runner-up in two events, the 800 (1:59) and the 1600 (4:30).

William Wolfe finished third in the high jump, while Noah Moss took third in the 110 hurdles. 

Finishing fourth in their events were Nathaniel Miller (discus) and Jadon Brisco (300 hurdles). 

Webb City advanced in all four relays. 

The 4×800 relay team of Jose Antillon, Daunte Smiles, Mason Hedger and Stevens took first in 8:27. 

The Cardinals were second in the three other relays. 

Webb City’s 4×100 and 4×200 relays featured Jordan Thornburg, Wolfe, Dupree Jackson and William Headrick, while the 4×400 consisted of Headrick, Antillon, Smiles and Wolfe. 

Carl Junction freshman Sydney Ward was the district champion in both the 100-meter dash and the 200. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

CARL JUNCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Carl Junction’s girls won five events and advanced in 10. They’ll have 13 entries at the sectional. 

Ally Montez won both hurdle races. A senior, Montez took first in the 100 hurdles in 14.88 seconds and won the 300 hurdles in 45.42.

Carl Junction freshman Sydney Ward won the 100-meter dash in 12.11 seconds and finished first in the 200 with a time of 25.18. 

Montez and Ward were part of another event win.

The Bulldogs won the 4×400 relay in 4:08, with Ward, Emily Rice, Delaney Harris and Montez competing.

Carl Junction senior Olivia Vediz finished second in both the long jump (16-8.75) and the triple jump (34-1.5).

Finishing fourth in their events for the CJ girls were Acadia Badgley (pole vault), Sloan Uebinger (100 hurdles), Sadie Burchett (1600), Loren Lee (discus) and Hannah Cantrell (long jump, triple jump).

For the CJ boys, Quin Kennedy took second in the high jump (5-8.75) and Parker Epperson finished fourth in the triple jump (40-1.25).

 

MCDONALD COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS

McDonald County’s Joshua Pacheco placed third in the triple jump and fourth in the 400, while Logan Harriman was third in the discus and Andrew Moritz took fourth in the javelin.

The Mustangs finished third in both the 4×200 (Pacheco, Dominic Cervantes, Samuel Barton, Esteban Martinez-Olvera) and 4×400 (Hunter Leach, Cervantes, Martinez-Olvera and Pacheco) relays.

For the Mac County girls, Mariana Salas was second in the javelin, while Sosha Howard placed third in the triple jump and Corina Holland was fourth in the 400. 

The Mustangs finished fourth in the 4×800 relay, with Anna Price, Clara Horton, Madison Burton and Melysia McCrory competing.

 

MONETT HIGHLIGHTS

For the Monett girls, Vayla Smith was the champion in the 400 with a time of 1:02. 

Monett’s girls took second in the 4×200 relay, with Ashtyn Blakey, Smith, Jenna Herald and Karlee McCallister competing. McCallister finished third in the javelin and was fourth in the 100.

On the boys side, Monett’s Konner Poynter had a memorable day. A junior, Poynter won both the 200 (22.68) and 400 (51.47) while also taking second in the 110 hurdles and placing third in the 100 (11.35).

 

Class 4 District 6

Girls team standings: Webb City 149, Marshfield 131, Carl Junction 115.5, Bolivar 69, Rogersville 65.5, McDonald County 56.5, Willard 51, Monett 46.5, Hillcrest 42.

Boys team standings: Willard 193, Webb City 130, Marshfield 99, Bolivar 73, McDonald County 64, Hillcrest 62, Monett 47, Rogersville 38, Carl Junction 32.

 

 

 

 

 

DISTRICT TRACK & FIELD: Joplin boys claim championship, area athletes advance to sectionals

 

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The Joplin High School boys track and field team is in the midst of a stellar season.

If any proof was needed, it was on display on Saturday at the Class 5 District 6 track meet at Carl Junction’s Bulldog Stadium.

One week after capturing a conference championship, the Eagles added a district title to their memorable season’s list of accomplishments.

“It’s been a great season,” Joplin coach Nick Reid said. “They showed up and competed hard today. We got some points in some areas we weren’t expecting to. They showed up and did well. The beauty of winning the team event is it takes every point, whether that’s first, fourth or eighth. They all count.” 

Led by six event wins, Joplin compiled 119.5 points to top the team standings. Ozark was second with 101.75.

At the district meet, the top-four in each event advanced to next week’s sectional meet in Waynesville.

The Eagles advanced 12 entries to the sectional, with 11 events represented. 

Joplin’s Donovyn Fowler and Hobb Campbell were double winners.

Joplin senior won two individual events, the long jump and triple jump, at Saturday’s district meet at Carl Junction. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

A senior, Fowler once again won his signature events, the long jump and triple jump. In the triple jump, Fowler recorded a winning leap of 48-9, nearly six feet better than the runner-up. He won the long jump with a mark of 23-8.25.

Fowler, an Oklahoma signee, also advanced in the 200-meter dash by finishing third in 22.9 seconds. Fowler advanced in four events overall, as he ran a leg of the qualifying 4×100-meter relay. 

A junior, Campbell won the 800-meter run in 1:57 and crossed the line first in the 1600 in 4:20. 

Campbell, who also plays for Joplin’s golf team during the spring, finished fourth in the 3200. 

Joplin junior Hobbs Campbell is pictured during Saturday’s district track meet at Carl Junction. Photos by Shawn Fowler.

Joplin senior Donovahn Watkins won the shot put with a heave of 57-10.5 and finished second in the discus (145-6). In the same event, Dontrell Holt advanced by finishing third. 

Like they have all season, Fowler, Watkins and Campbell came up big for the Eagles. 

“Those three have done great all year,” Reid said. “They typically win their events and score a lot of points for us.”  

The Eagles won the 4×800-meter relay in 8:09, with Evan Matlock, Ian Horton, Zaben Barnes and Nicholas Horton competing. 

Joplin’s 4×100 relay (Fowler, Davin Thomas, Luke Vieselmeyer, Orion Norris) and 4×200 relay (Tayshaun Palmer, Vieselmeyer, Thomas, Norris) both took third to advance. 

The JHS boys have won five meets this season—Carthage, Joplin, Webb City, COC and districts. 

Coach Reid gave credit to his assistant coaches for their hard work.

“Our assistant coaches do a great job of working with the kids every day,” Reid said. “They get our kids going and get them prepared for these meets.”

The Joplin girls recorded a top-four finish in seven events, including two victories. 

“We had quite a few girls get through to sectionals, including some relays and individuals,” Reid said. “Our girls showed up and did a great job.” 

Joplin’s 4×200 relay team of Allie Lawrence, Abigayle Lowery, Amaya Montgomery and Brynn Driver took first in 1:47.

Jennalee Dunn advanced in two individual events. A senior, Dunn crossed the line first in the 800 in 2:20. She was the runner-up in the 1600 with a time of 5:09.

Driver was second in the 400 in 1:02 and Maria Loum was the runner-up in the pole vault (9-8.5).

Advancing with fourth-place finishes were Loum (100 hurdles) and Lawrence (200). 

TIGERS, WILDCATS ADVANCE 

Carthage and Neosho also had sectional qualifiers. 

Carthage’s Joey Hettinger was the district champ in the girls high jump after clearing 5-3.25.

Lilly Holmes placed third in both the discus (100-6) and shot put (33-6.75).

Carthage’s girls finished third in the 4×100, with Aven Willis, Sydnee Dudolski, Lexa Youngblood and Hettinger running. 

The Tigers were fourth in the 4×400, with Willis, Youngblood, Ashlyn Brust and Maggie Boyd competing. Carthage’s 4×800 relay team of Morelia Reyes-Perez, Ava Bunner, Grace Brown and Boyd took fourth. 

For the Carthage boys, Micah Lindsey was the runner-up in the shot put (50-3.5) and took third in the discus (143-9), while Miquel Solano finished fourth in the 800.

The Tigers finished third in the 4×400 relay, with Braxton McBride, Solano, Tyler Burt and Landen Schrader competing. Carthage was fourth in the 4×200 (Schrader, Taye Witherspoon, McBride, Cooper Jadwin).

Neosho’s Tyrese Hill won the 200 in 22.8 seconds and took second in the 100-meter dash (11.06). Kaden Cole was second in the 1600 (4:22) and Isaiah Green was second in the triple jump (42-11.75).

Also for the Wildcats, Eric Bebie finished third in the 110 hurdles, Jared Siler placed fourth in the high jump and Izaiah Hill took fourth in the 400.

Neosho’s boys were fourth in the 4×100, with Brock Franklin, Siler, Evan Haskins and Hill competing. 

For the Neosho girls, Madilyn Ebbinghaus was second in the 200 (26.91), Riley Kemna placed third in the 3200 with a time of 11:50 and Beclynn Garrett finished fourth in the javelin with a toss of 112-4.

 

Class 5 District 6

Boys team standings: Joplin 119.5, Ozark 101.75, Nixa 98.5, Branson 93.75, Neosho 88.75, Republic 88.25, Kickapoo 68.5, Carthage 50, Parkview 26.

Girls team standings: Nixa 165, Branson 94, Kickapoo 88, Ozark 86, Joplin 81, Republic 67, Carthage 54, Parkview 52, Neosho 44.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASEBALL: Top-seeded McDonald County cruises past Ruskin in district opener

NEOSHO, Mo. — Top-seeded McDonald County wasted little time imposing its will on eighth-seeded Ruskin, pushing across crooked numbers in the second, third and fourth innings on the way to a 15-0 win in four innings in the final game of the Class 5 District 7 opening round at Roy B. Shaver Field on Saturday. 

“That is kind of what we wanted,” McDonald County coach Kevin Burgi said after the win. “We wanted to piece together good at-bats. Even in the first inning, I know we didn’t have anything to show for it, but I liked what I saw. We wanted (the entire lineup) to put together quality at-bats and I was happy with what I saw.”

The Mustangs advance to take on fourth-seeded Carl Junction at 6 p.m. on Monday in the district semifinals.

“I am expecting a really good baseball game,” Burgi said of his semifinals matchup. “They are really well coached, dominate routine plays, throw strikes and put good at-bats together. When you are playing a team like that, you know Coach (Jake) Stevenson will have them ready.”

Cross Dowd, who also doubled at the plate and scored a run, earned the win after allowing one hit, walking one and striking out five in two scoreless innings of work. Rylan Armstrong struck out three in one relief inning, while Angel Ruiz allowed two hits and struck out one in an inning of relief. 

“We got to throw some guys and I was really happy with what I saw from all of them,” Burgi said. “We knew Cross was going to throw strikes because he has done that all year, but I was excited to see the other guys come in and have success, too.”

Donsha Finley took the loss after allowing 12 runs, eight earned, on eight hits, four walks and strikeout in three innings.

McDonald County started the scoring with five runs crossing the plate in the second inning. Weston Gordon stepped into the box with the bases full of Mustangs and delivered a three-run triple to left-center for a 3-0 lead. Fisher Sanny followed with a triple to left field to plate another run. Cole Martin wrapped the scoring in the frame with a sacrifice fly.

“You just want your kids to get comfortable,” Burgi said of his team’s approach at the plate. “That is the biggest thing when it’s win or go home. You want your guys to be comfortable and getting out to a lead helps that. Once we got the lead, I thought we played pretty well.”

The Mustangs didn’t let up in the next half inning, pushing across seven more runs to take complete control with a 12-0 lead. Destyn Dowd and Gordon had back to back run-scoring singles before Sanny delivered a two-run single to center field to push the lead to 9-0. McDonald County added three unearned runs later in the inning to extend the lead to double digits.

MCHS added insurance to the lead in the fourth inning when Sanny picked up an RBI with a groundout. A second run came home on a passed ball and Martin ended the game shortly after with an RBI single to left to bring home the 15th run.

“It’s senior leadership,” Burgi said when asked about his team’s ability to avoid complacency with a big lead early. “I don’t have to say anything. It’s all those guys. It has been a really, really good year and they have been outstanding.” 

Gordon and Sanny, who both tripled and had four RBI apiece, and Destyn Dowd each had three hits to lead the Mustangs. Gordon scored three runs, while Sanny also scored a run. Dowd scored twice and drove in one. Martin had one hit, drove in two and scored a run.

BASEBALL: Webb City rolls through Grandview to open district tournament

NEOSHO, Mo. — Second-seeded Webb City went full blitzkrieg against seventh-seeded Grandview with a 12-run opening frame on the way to a 16-0 three-inning win in the opening round of Class 5 District 7 play on Saturday at Roy B. Shaver Field.

The Cardinals (16-14) brought home 12 runs on eight hits in the opening frame to take complete command before adding four additional runs in the second, while blanking the Bulldogs (7-17) in their only three at-bats.

“I thought we swung the bats really well,” Webb City coach Flave Darnell said. “We had good approaches, put good swings on fastballs and put the ball in play so good things could happen. Twelve runs in the first inning really set the tone, and it was good to see.”

Webb City advances to take on third-seeded Neosho at 4 p.m. in the district semifinals on Monday.

“Neosho is a good team and they are going to be ready to go,” Darnell said. “We won 1-0 with them last time we played, so hopefully we can swing the bats a little better.”

The Cardinals went to work out of the gates with a leadoff triple from Eric Fitch, who touched home on a wild pitch during the next at-bat. Cy Darnell doubled for back to back extra-base hits and came around to score two batters later on a double steal, with Cade Wilson taking second. Wilson stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jeremiah Leaming to push the lead to 3-0. Back to back two-out errors by Grandview allowed another run to score before Kaylor Darnell doubled to right to plate a run. After a sixth run came home on another Bulldog error, Fitch stepped into the box again and doubled to left for an RBI and his second extra-base hit of the inning. Not to be outdone, Cy Darnell followed with an inside-the-park home run to make the score 9-0. Leaming added an RBI single before William Hayes wrapped the scoring with a two-run single to right.

“I felt like we have really been swinging the bat well lately,” Darnell said about the output in the first inning. “We talk a ton about being as good as we can come May. We looked pretty good today I thought. We are going to keep grinding it out with practice tomorrow and be ready for Monday.”

After a 1-2-3 inning on defense, the offense continued to swing the hot stick as Cy Darnell doubled home a run before Kenley Hood singled through the left side to score a run and push the lead to 14-0. Leaming followed with a two-run triple to center field to push the lead past the 15-run mercy rule, with the Bulldogs again going down in order in the top of the third to end the game quickly.

Kaylor Darnell started and earned the win after pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings on one hit, one walk and three strikeouts. Leaming pitched 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings, striking out one.

Fitch, who doubled and tripled, and Cy Darnell, who doubled twice and homered, both finished with three hits and three runs scored to lead the offensive onslaught. Darnell had three RBI, while Fitch drove in one. Leaming, who tripled, and Hood each had a pair of knocks, with Leaming driving in four and scoring once and Hood scoring twice and adding an RBI.

BASEBALL: Carl Junction rallies late for district win over Raytown South

NEOSHO, Mo. — Fourth-seeded Carl Junction battled strong pitching while playing from behind through the first four innings before tying the game at 2-2 in the fifth frame and pushing across five runs in the sixth innings en route to a 7-2 opening-round Class 5 District 7 win over fifth-seeded Raytown South on Saturday at Roy B. Shaver Field. 

“That lefty for Raytown South (Hunter Burford) is really, really good,” Carl Junction coach Jake Stevenson said. “He kind of took us out of our game by controlling the run game at first base, and he got the strikeouts when he needed them. … We made sure to tell our guys to keep staying with our approach, and I think they did that. When it was time to chase him when they gave us an opportunity to strike, we took advantage.

“In playoff baseball, it’s real simple. You have to go 1-0 and scratch, claw and fight to get there, and our guys did that today. We are happy and fortunate to come back and play on Monday.”

Carl Junction (11-15) takes on top-seeded McDonald County in the district semifinals on Monday at Roy B. Shaver Field.
Kyler Perry started and earned the win after allowing two unearned runs on four hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in six innings of work. Lucas Vanlanduit pitched a scoreless inning in relief, allowing one hit, walking one and striking out one.

“Kyler Perry was really good today,” Stevenson said. “He has been our guy in a lot of big games for us this year and he showed up today ready to pitch and I am proud of him. He is a senior and did what we needed him to do.”

Hunter Burford started and took a no-decision after allowing two unearned runs on one hit, six walks and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Tre Judd took the loss after allowing four runs on one hit and two walks without recording an out. Loyola allowed one run on one hit in 2/3 of an inning.

Raytown South (9-11) took the initial lead with a run scoring on a CJ throwing error in the second inning before the Cardinals went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth when Judd singled up the middle with two outs to plate a runner from third.

The Bulldogs rallied back hard in the bottom of the fifth inning when Cole Wilson, who walked, and Dalton Mills, who doubled, scored on a throwing error by Raytown South to tie the game at 2-2.

An inning later, Carl Junction loaded the bases with one out before Mills drew a walk to force in the go-ahead run. Another run came in on a hit-by-pitch before a sac fly from Arlen Wakefield gave the Bulldogs a 5-2 advantage. Kyler Perry followed with a two-run single to center field to wrap the scoring.

“Whoever can get to the bullpen and grab the momentum is probably going to win the game,” Stevenson said of his team’s late offense. “I was proud of our guys for that. I saw guys looking to attack something in the zone, attack strikes. I thought our guys stayed locked in all game long. It was a good team win.”

Mills had a double, two walks, drove in a run and scored twice, while Wilson had a hit and scored two runs. Perry drove in two on one hit.