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Month: March 2023

BOYS GOLF: Nevada tops Lamar in home match

Posted on by Jason Peake

NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada’s boys golf team began the 2023 season on a positive note by defeating Lamar 197-223 in a dual on Monday at the Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course.

Nevada sophomore Preston Drake shot a 45 to earn medalist honors. Nevada freshman Peyton Wyant took second with a 46 and sophomore Wyatt Jenkins shot a 48 to finish third.

Rounding out Nevada’s team score was sophomore Hunter Gruenhagen with a 58. Also competing for Nevada was freshman Jethro Solidum (70).

“I was very pleased with how the boys got around the course,” Nevada coach Brian Leonard said. “This was the first outing for everyone on the team except Preston, so I’m sure there were several first contest butterflies going around. I wasn’t sure how the boys would score today, but I was very happy to see several of the scores in the upper 40s. I know with continued work on the short game, those scores can get down to the lower 40s if not in the upper 30s before the season is over. We really haven’t had too much time to work on the short game due to the unfavorable weather we’ve had over the last two weeks. It has really put a damper on some of the practice time on the actual course.  

“We will work on several of the swing flaws on Tuesday at practice, then we will continue to work and improve on the short game…chipping and putting on Wednesday,” Leonard added. “We need to reduce the number of putts and get the ball closer to the hole when we miss the green.”

Competing for Lamar were Koen Littlejohn (49), Rein Stephen (53), Cade Moore (59), Connor Kennedy (62) and Trey Shaw (65).

Nevada will host McDonald County and Butler for a triangular on Thursday.

BOYS TENNIS: Neosho begins ’23 season with two victories

Posted on by Jason Peake

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Neosho High School boys tennis team earned a pair of victories on Monday at the Perry Courts.

Neosho defeated Parkview 6-3 and Hillcrest 5-0.

In the match with Parkview, the Wildcats won five singles matches and one doubles contest.

At No. 1 singles, Parkview’s Iosif Musiyenko defeated Christian Williams 8-6.

Neosho’s Willis Jarvis defeated Ralph Johnson 8-2, Reid Snyder beat Joseph Woods 8-6, Peyton Williams topped Gavin Stevenson-Compton 8-2, Breckin McAffrey edged Christopher Rubio 8-6 and Noah Schade defeated Kirven Moon 9-7.

In doubles, Parkview’s Musieynko-Rubio edged Williams-Williams 9-7, while Johnson-Moon defeated Jarvis-Snyder 8-3.

At No. 3 doubles, Neosho’s McAffrey-Schade defeated Woods-Stevenson-Compton 9-7.

The dual with Hillcrest ended after the Wildcats reached five wins due to the fact the Hornets forfeited at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles.

In doubles, Neosho’s Christian Williams-Willis Jarvis defeated Ting Juan and Luke Collier 8-1, while Snyder and Peyton Williams beat Eli Birman and Parker Elkin 8-1.

In singles, Neosho’s McAffrey defeated Chris Meyer 8-0.

Neosho (2-0) is at Monett on Tuesday.

TRACK & FIELD: College Heights Christian squads gain experience at Republic

Posted on by Jason Peake

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

The College Heights girls finished fifth in the team standings, while the CHC boys were sixth. 

Host Republic won both team championships, with Fair Grove taking second in both divisions.

College Heights scored 63 points in the girls meet.

CHC’s Jesalin Bever was the runner-up in the 100 hurdles (18.19 seconds), Maddy Colin took second in the high jump (4-9.75), Jayli Johnson finished third in the 400 (1:06) and Lauren Ukena placed fourth in the 300 hurdles (54.7).

Marla Anderegg was fifth in the 800 (2:46) and seventh in the 1600 (6:17), while Bailey Peoples took fifth in the triple jump (28-11.75) and Colin was sixth in the discus (78-10).

The CHC girls finished second in the 4×200, second in the 4×400 and third in the 4×800. The 4×200 and 4×400 relays featured Bever, Amelia Hagale, Johnson and Ukena. The 4×800 consisted of Johnson, Anderegg, Hagale and Ukena.

Stockton’s Kylie Hunter won the 100 in 14 seconds flat and took first in the 400 in 1:04. She was the runner-up in the 200 (28.49).

Aurora’s Maisie Phillips won both hurdle races and teammate Makena Hall won the pole vault.

On the boys side, the Cougars compiled 46 points.

College Heights’ Caleb Quade took second in the high jump (6-0), Ethan Ukena was fourth in the triple jump (39-0) and Colsen Dickens finished fourth in the 400 (54.91).

Jace Edwards finished seventh in the 300 hurdles and eighth in the 3200, while Ian Edwards was eighth in both the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles.

College Heights’ 4×200 relay team of Dickens, Quade, Ukena and Logan Decker finished second in 1:37. 

The team of Ukena, Quade, Derrick McMillan and Dickens placed fourth in the 4×400, while Quade, Ian Edwards, Zach Beaty and Jace Edwards took fourth in the 4×800. 

The Cougars were fifth in the 4×100, with Dickens, Derek Bowman, Ukena and Decker competing.

Stockton’s Braden Postlewait won two events, the 800 in 2:07 and the 1600 with a time of 4:43.

Aurora’s Daunte Floyd won the 110 hurdles.

GIRLS SOCCER: Carl Junction rolls past McAuley Catholic

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Carl Junction Bulldogs scored three goals in the first half and six in the second to earn a commanding 9-1 win over the McAuley Catholic Warriors on Monday at the Hershewe Soccer Complex within the Joplin Athletic Complex.

The Bulldogs controlled possession for the vast majority of the match and consistently attacked the Warriors from the opening whistle until senior forward Hannah Franks’ second goal of the match closed it out with the eight-goal mercy rule in effect.

“We talked about finding some composure and figuring out if it’s a one-touch or two-touch in the box and checking our shoulder to see how much time we had,” Carl Junction coach Ed Miller said. “Truthfully, the other thing was their goalie in the first half wasn’t the same as the second half, and she did a really good job coming out and cutting down angles and stopping a lot of shots in the first half. We put the pressure on and wore them down. This was their first game, our second game early here in the season, and I think we’re deeper than they are and that helped us out.

“Our girls did a good job. They came out and played. It’s a mud pit so you never know what you’re going to get when you’ve got a wet, sloppy field. We played on grass for the first time, so it slowed things down a little bit. Proud of the girls’ effort as far as working hard and pressuring the ball, and we had a lot of opportunities. We did a good job passing the ball, so we’ve got to work on finishing when we get a chance in the box because we’re not going to get that many opportunities every game we play.”

Carl Junction freshman forward Ella Anderson, assisted by senior midfielder Allie Wrestler, opened the scoring with the first goal after the Bulldogs had several goal-scoring opportunities, including a goal by Anderson negated by an offside penalty.

The Warriors tied it up at 1 on one of their rare possessions in Carl Junction territory with senior forward Ava Masena’s penalty kick.

The Bulldogs led 3-1 at halftime following a goal by senior midfielder Jocelyn Brown (assisted by Franks) and a header by Franks off a corner kick by senior Constance Graham.

Taking advantage of the Warriors’ switch in goal for the second half, senior forward Sammie Sims netted back-to-back goals to put the Bulldogs ahead 5-1.

Wrestler, junior midfielder Hailey Merwin, Brown (penalty kick), and Franks then closed out the goal scoring.

Carl Junction improved to 2-0 on the season and the Bulldogs return home Tuesday for a match against Cassville.

McAuley Catholic dropped to 0-1 overall and the Warriors start a four-game road stretch of their schedule with Greenwood on Thursday.

BOYS GOLF: Templeman leads Carthage to victory in ’23 opener

Posted on by Jason Peake

Max Templeman earned medalist honors and led Carthage to a team victory in a boys golf quadrangular on Monday at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.

In the opener of the 2023 season, Carthage had a four-person team score of 166, while Carl Junction had a 171, Joplin recorded a 172 and Webb City finished with a 177.

A senior, Templeman carded a 1-over-par 37 to take first place individually.  

Joplin junior Harry Satterlee and Carl Junction sophomore Jack Spencer both turned in identical scores of 38 and tied for second place honors. 

Carthage’s Britt Coy shot a 40, good for fourth place individually after Templeman, Satterlee and Spencer.

Carl Junction’s Tommy Walker carded 41 and finished in fifth place.

Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell, Webb City’s Braxten Cahoon and Carl Junction’s Jacob Teeter tied for sixth place with identical scores of 42.

All five of Carthage’s golfers shot 45 or under. Also competing for the Tigers were Owen Derryberry (44), Colson Brust (45) and Ben Nicholas (45). 

Also competing for the Bulldogs were Logan Lowry (50) and Zach Merwin (51).

Joplin’s Ian Surbrugg shot 45 and Dylan Bozarth turned in a 47. Also competing for the Eagles was Taylor McMillian (55).

Also competing for Webb City were Jackson Lucas (44), Cooper Forth (45), Carson Judd (46) and Levi Lassiter (46).

The same four teams will compete again on Tuesday at the Carthage Golf Course and again on Wednesday at Briarbrook.

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: McAuley defeats Verona; College Heights, McDonald County, Seneca suffer losses

Posted on by Lucas Davis

MCAULEY CATHOLIC 5, VERONA 4

McAuley Catholic broke a 3-all tie with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and held off Verona to earn a win on Monday.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Bradley Wagner singled to shortstop to score a pair of runs, giving McAuley (2-2) a 5-3 advantage.

Verona added a run in the fifth but would get no closer before the final out was made.

Rocco Bazzano-Joseph earned the win on the mound for McAuley after allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits, a walk and 12 strikeouts in a complete-game effort of seven innings.

Westin Shrum took the loss after allowing five runs, one earned, on seven hits, three walks and six strikeouts in six innings.

Noah Black had a double and a triple, while scoring twice and driving in a run. Wagner finished with a game-high four RBI. Michael Parrigon scored twice, while Bazzano-Joseph and Joe Staton each had hits.

McAuley is Diamond on Friday.

 

CLEVER 3, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 2

CLEVER, Mo. — Clever took an early lead and held College Heights down for the remainder of the contest in a win over the Cougars on Monday.

College Heights (1-1) took the initial lead with a run scoring on an RBI groundout by Smoke Ezell in the top of the second before Clever (5-0) took control with a two-spot scoring in the bottom half of the inning. Clever added to the lead with a run in the top of the third inning. 

The Cougars struck again in the fourth with a run scoring when Austin Miller singled to center to plate Caleb Evans but that would be the last runner to touch the plate in the CHC loss.

Lane Mendenhall earned the win in relief after allowing one run on one hit, a walk and three strikeouts in two innings.

Ezell took the loss after allowing three runs, one earned, on seven hits and five strikeouts in six innings.

Miller had three hits and an RBI for CHC, while Kelton Welch had a hit in the loss.

College Heights hosts Exeter on Tuesday.

 

SHILOH CHRISTIAN 3, MCDONALD COUNTY 2

ANDERSON, Mo. — McDonald County had the tying run at third base in the bottom of the seventh, but the visiting Saints from Arkansas recorded the final out to secure the win.

McDonald County fell to 4-4 on the season.

The Mustangs scored a run in the first inning after singles from Cross Dowd and Tucker Walters and an error on the visitors.

Shiloh Christian pushed across two runs in the second on a solo home run from Jonas Nantze and an RBI double from Chandler Kemp.

McDonald County stranded the bases loaded in the fourth.

The Saints added an insurance run in the top of the sixth on Bowen Gillison’s RBI single.

Down 3-1, the Mustangs rallied in the bottom of the seventh.

With one out, Isaac Behm tripled and scored on Walters’ RBI double. Walters, the tying run, went to third on a wild pitch before Jack Parnell walked.

Shiloh Christian was able to induce a game-ending pop up to end the game.

The Mustangs out-hit the Saints 10-7.

Walters went 3-for-3, while Behm had two hits. 

Destyn Dowd started on the mound for the Mustangs. He allowed two runs on five hits and struck out three in five innings. Angel Ruiz tossed two scoreless innings. 

Shiloh Christian’s Maddox Welborn tossed four scoreless innings, striking out four and scattering six hits. Holden Wofford allowed one run on four hits in three innings for the Saints (7-5).

McDonald County hosts Joplin on Tuesday.

 

GRAVETTE 5, SENECA 3

SENECA, Mo. — Gravette rallied from an early deficit with a four-run second inning to beat Seneca on Monday.

The Indians scored three runs in the first inning highlighted by a two-run double from Kade Johnson that scored Lincoln Renfro and Conner Ackerson.

Gravette scored four runs in the top of the second with only one hit in the frame, which led things off, to take a 5-3 lead. Both teams traded zeros for the remaining five innings.

Renfro took the loss after allowing five runs, two earned, on three hits, three walks and three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

Johnson had three hits, including a double, two RBI and scored a run. Renfro doubled and scored a run, while Hagen Ginger also recorded a hit for Seneca.

Seneca hosts Reed Springs on Tuesday.

SOFTBALL: Middle innings kind to Diamond in win

Posted on by Lucas Davis

FORSYTH, Mo. — Diamond hung crooked numbers on the scoreboard in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings on the way to a 10-5 win over Forsyth on Monday.

The Wildcats took control with two runs in the second and three more in the third before Forsyth got on the scoreboard with two runs in the third. Diamond answered with a three-run fourth and two more runs scoring in the fifth to secure the momentum in the win.

Lauren Turner earned the win after allowing two unearned runs on two hits, three walks and seven strikeouts in three innings. Caitlin Suhrie allowed three unearned runs on two hits, four walks and six strikeouts in four innings.

Lindsey Essary took the loss after allowing 10 runs, seven earned, on 10 hits, three walks and two strikeouts in five innings.

Grace Frazier had three hits and scored a run for Diamond, while Talyn Daniels had three hits, four RBI and scored two runs. Turner had two hits, including a double, drove in one and scored one. Suhrie had two hits and scored two runs.

Diamond hosts Ash Grove on Tuesday.

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD: Webb City features returning state medalists

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Webb City High School girls track and field team features a trio of athletes who are among the state’s best in their respective events.

Senior distance runner Abi Street is coming off a stellar cross country season.

Street finished third in Class 4 at the state cross country championships with a 5K time of 19:06. 

Street captured conference and district championships in cross country. At the conclusion of the fall, Street was named the top Class 4 female runner by the SWCCCA.

At last year’s state track meet, Street finished 12th in the 3200 with a time of 12:07.

Street just missed qualifying for state in the 1600 after finishing fifth at the sectional. Street has signed to run for the University of Kansas.

Webb City junior Dawsyn Decker took fourth place in the javelin at last year’s Class 4 state meet with her toss of 126-3.

Decker, who won conference and district titles in her signature event, will have her sights set on another podium finish this spring.

Webb City sophomore Sami Mancini finished seventh in Class 4 in the shot put last year (36-6.25).

A standout on the basketball court, Mancini will also look to score big points in the discus.

Webb City will also feature a number of promising underclassmen this spring.

Freshman Brooke Hedger is expected to contribute nicely in the 800 and 1600, while sophomore Chase Stilley is expected to score big points in the high jump.

Junior Aubree Lassiter and freshman Jaeli Rutledge are two athletes who are expected to score points in the throws.

Seniors Kylie Jennings and Essence Robinson should also be key performers in multiple events.

Webb City’s girls track team is scheduled to begin the season on Thursday at the Carthage Invitational. 

 

TRACK & FIELD: Host Neosho Wildcats capture team titles at Harry Lineberry Open House

Posted on by Jason Peake

NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho’s boys and girls track squads swept the team titles at their own Harry Lineberry Open House on Saturday at Bob Anderson Stadium.

The Neosho boys compiled 345.5 points to top the team standings. Bolivar was a distant second with 124 points.

Neosho’s girls compiled 283 points and Bolivar was second with 188.

Thomas Jefferson, Seneca, Springfield Central and Exeter also competed at the invite. 

The Wildcats won 12 events in the boys meet.

Winning individual events for the Neosho boys were Tyrese Hill (100-meter dash, 200), Izaiah Hill (400), Isaiah Green (long jump), Cade Camerer (high jump), Jared Siler (triple jump), Carter Baslee (shot put) and Collyn Kivett (javelin). Kivett set a school record with his toss of 155-7.

Neosho’s boys won all four relays. The 4×100 relay featured Brock Franklin, Konnor Siler, Jared Siler and Tyrese Hill, while the 4×200 featured Franklin, Konnor Siler, Isaiah Rhone and Isaiah Keezer.

The 4×400 consisted of Izaiah Hill, Keezer, Green and Tyrese Hill, while the 4×800 featured Corbin Ables, Izaiah Hill, Adam Farrell and William Ebbinghaus.

Finishing second in their events were Konnor Siler (100), Keezer (200, 400), Carson Newell (3200), Konnor Payton (110 hurdles), Green (triple jump), Nico Olivares (shot put, discus), Baslee (javelin) and Jared Siler (high jump, long jump).

Third-place finishers were Traven Suldan (javelin), Jackson Smith (triple jump), Newell (1600), Green (300 hurdles), Levi Denison (110 H) and Gabriel Mabrey (800).

Neosho’s girls won nine events.

Neosho freshman Jazmyn Washington won three individual events—the 300 hurdles, the 100 hurdles and the high jump. 

Also winning events for the Neosho girls were Chloe Wood (3200), Madilyn Ebbinghaus (200), Claire Burghart (pole vault) and Raine Harris (long jump).

The NHS girls won the 4×100 relay (Olivia Emery, Miranda Wennhold, Autumn Kinnaird, Ebbinghuas) and the 4×200 relay (Kinley Wilson, Carley Lane, Kinnaird, Washington) and were second in the 4×400 (Riley Kemna, Burghart, Wood, Ebbinghaus).

Taking second in their events were Kemna (3200), Rylyn Moritz (100), Kali House (400), Harris (100 hurdles), Lauren Sullivan (high jump, shot put) and Wennhold (long jump, triple jump).

Teammates Wilson and Kailyn Daniels tied for second in the pole vault. 

Finishing third for the Neosho girls were Burghart (TJ), Katelyn Mahurin (shot put), Regan Weber (100), Hannah Fehring (100 hurdles), Kemna (1600) and Wood (800).

 

THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGHLIGHTS

Thomas Jefferson senior Kip Atteberry won the 3200 with a time of 10:25. 

Atteberry finished second in both the 1600 and the 800. Bolivar’s Gavin Crawford-Yates edged Atteberry in both races.

Cavaliers sophomore Sheraz Anis won the 110-hurdles with a time of 17.99 seconds.

Jay Ball placed fifth in the shot put.

For the TJ girls, Macie Shifferd placed third in the 3200 and fifth in the 1600, while Sarah Mueller finished third in the 400 and fourth in the 800.

Lannah Grigg placed third in the discus and also took fourth in the shot put. Avery Hocker placed fourth in the 100 hurdles and Gabbi Hiebert was fourth in the high jump.

 

SENECA HIGHLIGHTS

Seneca’s Cambry Long won the girls 400 and also took second in the 200. 

Also for the Seneca girls, Parker Long was the runner-up in the javelin. Anna Adkins was third in the high jump, Caroline Leonard placed third in the javelin and Savannah Johnson placed fourth in the 100. The Seneca girls were third in three relays, the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400.

Seneca’s Brodie Probert took third in the boys 400 and Brock Pendergraft was third in the discus.

The Indians were second in the 4×100 and third in the 4×200.

 

Neosho Harry Lineberry Open House

Boys team scores: Neosho 345.5, Bolivar 124, Central 56, Thomas Jefferson 50, Seneca 45.5, Exeter 10.

Girls team scores: Neosho 283, Bolivar 188, Seneca 79.5, Thomas Jefferson 57.5, Central 44, Exeter 8.

BASEBALL: Carl Junction drops games to Mac County, Camdenton

Posted on by Lucas Davis

MCDONALD COUNTY 4, CARL JUNCTION 2

ANDERSON, Mo. — McDonald County took an early lead and held off Carl Junction for a 4-2 win on Saturday.

The Mustangs scored three times in the bottom of the first inning to lead 3-1 before the Bulldogs scored a single tally in the second to trim the lead to 3-2. McDonald County added insurance in the bottom of the third inning and kept CJ off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest.

Isaac Behm earned the complete-game win after allowing two runs on three hits, three walks and four strikeouts in seven innings.

Logan Eck took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits, three walks and five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Behm helped himself out at the plate with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored, while Destyn Dowd also doubled and scored a run.

Bentley Rowden doubled and drove in a run, while Eck also doubled and Wyatt McAfee tripled for Carl Junction.

 

CAMDENTON 9, CARL JUNCTION 2

ANDERSON, Mo. — Camdenton scored all nine of its runs in the first three innings and paced to a win over Carl Junction on Saturday.

Camdenton pushed across two runs in the first inning before taking control with a six-run second frame. Both teams traded runs in the third and Carl Junction added a single tally in the sixth to wrap the scoring. 

Kade Durnin earned the win after allowing one unearned run on one hit, three walks and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Karson Durnin pitched 1 2/3 relief innings and allowed one run on one hit and three strikeouts.

Cooper Vediz took the loss after allowing seven runs on two hits, five walks and four strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Deacon Endicott pitched 4 1/3 relief innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

Kade Durnin tripled and homered and drove in four, while scoring twice.

BASEBALL: Neosho wins Roy B. Shaver Classic with a classic walkoff

Posted on by Jason Peake

NEOSHO, Mo. — The Neosho Wildcats won their home tournament in thrilling fashion with a 4-3 win in nine innings over defending champion Strafford on Saturday in the second edition of the Roy B. Shaver Classic.

Wyatt Shadwick hit a single to center, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored the winning run on pinch hitter Kael Smith’s single to center.

River Brill earned the win in relief with three scoreless innings after he surrendered two runs in the sixth for a 3-2 Neosho deficit.

Neosho’s Kael Smith delivers a pitch during the Roy B. Shaver Classic on Saturday. Smith also delivered the game-winning hit against Strafford. Photo by Israel Perez.

The Wildcats scored their first three runs with one each in the fourth through sixth, on a Colton Southern sacrifice fly in the fourth, an Austin Rodriguez RBI single in the fifth, and a Brill RBI single in the sixth.

The Wildcats earned four wins in the tournament — outscoring their opponents 39-5 and defeating Reeds Spring 11-1 and Hillcrest 10-0 on Wednesday and Diamond 14-1 on Saturday — and finished 5-1 overall during their first week of play.

Strafford defeated Neosho 8-5 in 12 innings for the inaugural Shaver Classic title last year.

For a time, it almost looked as if Neosho and Strafford could match that length of game.

“A great week,” Neosho coach Bo Helsel said. “Five wins against good competition. Strafford’s a great team, well-coached, they play hard, and they do things the right way, but we do too, and we were able to execute pitches late in the game. We were able to finally get that one hit that we needed to get that last run in, and that’s this team this year so I’m excited about them.”

The Wildcats left at least one runner behind in the first eight innings, including the bases loaded in the fourth and the eighth.

“We had a few innings there where we just couldn’t get one across,” Helsel said. “That’s been our M.O this year. We’ve had the bases loaded a lot and haven’t been getting that big hit. We keep grinding, though, and this team doesn’t give up. The dugout was great all day.

“We were able to get that hit with Shadwick in the last inning, then the passed ball to get him to second, and then with two outs, Kael Smith hadn’t had an at-bat all day. He’s pitched, he’s had some back problems so I’ve tried to keep him rested, but he’s a senior and I trust him more than anybody else with the bat. He came in with a big hit there at the end.”

Smith and Brill contributed to a Neosho pitching staff that allowed five runs over four games in the Shaver Classic.

“Kael started that game (Saturday),” Helsel said. “Like I said, he’s had some back stuff going on, but I know he’s going to give me four, five, sometimes maybe even six good innings. He did. Still, sometimes he walks too many guys, but River, man, that kid, he’s been playing varsity since he was a freshman. He’s not had a lot of time on the mound, but he’s one of our harder throwers and I trust him. He gave up the two-run double (in the sixth), but he put up three zeros in a row and that’s what I expect. He deserves all the credit for that win.”

River Brill is pictured during Saturday’s Roy B. Shaver Classic.

The Wildcats mobbed Smith around first base after his game-winning hit.

“Second year we’ve had it and last year we lost in extra innings to Strafford,” Helsel said. “Today, we beat them in extra innings. It’s exciting. When I got this job, I wanted to do something for the community and start a home tournament with our old superintendent’s name plastered all over it. It’s good to get that first tournament championship, and I hope that in the future we can continue to do this thing and get good solid competition in here.”

In the 14-1 win in five innings earlier Saturday against Diamond, Hudson Williams allowed no earned runs in his five innings of time on the mound, Rodriguez had two hits with a triple and Eli Zar two hits with a pair of RBI, and Brill, Quenton Hughes, Shadwick, and Southern each had a hit.

Neosho (5-1) returns home Tuesday for a game against St. Mary’s Colgan (Kansas).

Purdy defeated Diamond 11-1 for third place in the game immediately before Neosho and Strafford battled into extra innings in the championship game for the second year in a row.

 

Roy B. Shaver Classic

Saturday’s results

(At Marion Sports Complex, Neosho)

Neosho 14, Diamond 1

Strafford 10, Purdy 9

Purdy 11, Diamond 1

Neosho 4, Strafford 3 (9 inn.)

(At Aurora High School)

Aurora 14, Carthage 4

Aurora 10, Hillcrest 7

Hillcrest 4, Reeds Spring 3

 

 

Neosho’s Quenton Hughes corrals a grounder on Saturday during the Roy B. Shaver Classic. Photos by Israel Perez.

 

Neosho’s Cade Spiva is safe at first against Strafford on Saturday.

Carter Fenske receives the throw at first base against Strafford on Saturday in Neosho. All photos by Israel Perez.

 

BASEBALL: Webb City splits home doubleheader

Posted on by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City split a non-conference baseball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Chuck Barnes Field.

Webb City defeated Nevada 4-1 in the opener before the Cardinals suffered a 9-1 setback to Nixa in the finale.

The games were added to the schedule after the Willard Tournament was rained out.

Webb City senior Kaylor Darnell was the winning pitcher against Nevada on Saturday at Chuck Barnes Field. Photo by Jason Peake.

WEBB CITY 4, NEVADA 1

Webb City senior right-hander Kaylor Darnell was stellar on the mound in Saturday’s opener. 

Darnell earned the pitching victory after limiting the Tigers to one run on three hits in five innings. A Missouri Southern signee, Darnell struck out eight and walked four.

Sophomore Landon Fletcher pitched two perfect innings in relief to earn the save. 

The Cardinals scored twice in both the first and third innings, while the Tigers’ lone run came in the fifth.

In the first inning, leadoff batter Cy Darnell doubled and later scored on McQuade Eilenstein’s fielder’s choice.

Later in the frame, Kaylor Darnell reached on a dropped third strike and later scored on a double steal to make it 2-0.

Junior third baseman Drew Vonder Haar delivered a two-run double to left field in the third inning that gave the Cardinals a 4-0 cushion. Sam Weller and Eilenstein scored on the play.

In the top of the fifth, Nevada got on the board when Nebraska recruit Case Sanderson singled and later scored on Caden Klump’s RBI single up the middle. 

Webb City recorded six hits. 

Webb City senior second baseman Landon Johnson went 2-for-3 at the plate. Johnson also made a nice diving catch in shallow right field early in the game, robbing the Tigers of a hit.

Cy Darnell, Kaylor Darnell, Kenley Hood and Vonder Haar had one hit apiece for the Cardinals. 

Klumpp took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits while striking out five and walking one.

Nevada fell to 2-1 with the loss, while the Cardinals improved to 2-2. 

 

NIXA 9, WEBB CITY 1

By pushing across runs in five different innings, the Eagles won the non-conference matchup between Central Ozark Conference rivals.

Nixa scored twice in the second, once in the third, twice in the fourth, once in the fifth and three times in the sixth.

Pictured is Webb City senior shortstop Cy Darnell.

Webb City’s lone run came in the fourth. 

With two outs, Shaun Hunt singled to left before Vonder Haar reached on a walk. William Hayes reached on an error, with pinch-runner Weller scoring on the play.

The Cardinals were limited to three hits in the game, two by Hunt and one by Eilenstein.

Walker Sweet was charged with the loss. 

In three innings of work, Sweet allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out four.

Hunter Shull, Payton Marshall and Gage Chapman pitched in relief for the hosts. 

Nixa’s Ethan Taylor earned the pitching victory after going four innings. He gave up one run on one hit and two walks and struck out five. Gaven Krans and Parker Bridges pitched in relief for the Eagles.

Nixa’s Caden Cloud went 4-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored, while Vincent and Jack Edwards each had two RBI.

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Webb City (2-3) hosts John Hersey (Illinois) at 4:30 on Tuesday.

 

The Webb City Cardinals hosted the Nevada Tigers and Nixa Eagles on Saturday at Chuck Barnes Field.

Nevada’s Caden Klumpp delivers a pitch to the plate against Webb City on Saturday. Photos by Jason Peake.

 

Nevada first baseman Case Sanderson takes the throw as Webb City’s Sam Weller slides safely into the base on Saturday.

BOYS TRACK & FIELD: Webb City features defending state champ, returning state medalists

Posted on by Jason Peake

Webb City’s boys track and field team features a defending state champion and three other returning state medalists this spring.

On top of that, the Cardinals have a roster full of dedicated varsity veterans to go along with a large group of promising newcomers.

With that, it’s safe to say the expectations are set extremely high once again in Webb City.

“I like where we’re at and I like where we’re going,” Webb City coach Dustin Miller said. “We are excited about the kids we got to come out for track and field this year. Our seniors have high expectations to uphold the Webb City tradition of being a state power.”

Webb City senior Grayson Smith is the defending Class 4 state champ in the pole vault. At last May’s state meet, Smith cleared 15-5.75 to earn the gold. 

Smith, who has signed with Pittsburg State, suffered a broken leg during the football season. Miller noted the goals for Smith remain high, with repeating as state champion in mind.

Grayson Smith

“I wouldn’t say he’s 100 percent yet, but he’s close,” Miller said of Smith. “He looks good in practice. His goal is to go undefeated this season.”  

The Cardinals have two returning medalists in the pole vault, as senior Justin Allen placed fourth at last year’s state meet by clearing 13-5.25. Junior Jadon Brisco is another vaulter who Miller expects to have a solid season.

In fact, Miller said the goal is to have three vaulters competing at state.

“It might be a slow start for our vaulters, but the focus is on the process of what it’s going to take to hit big bars late in the season,” he said.

Smith was just one of several Cardinals who suffered injuries during the football season.

“We have several key varsity state-level guys who are coming off of major injuries from football,” Miller noted. “We got hit hard by injuries in football…thankfully all of those guys have made it back and are now healthy. We’re as healthy as we can be considering how dark everything looked in October.”

Senior Trey Roets is another returning state medalist, as he placed third in the javelin with a toss of 169-9. Roets has signed to play football and throw the javelin at William Jewell.

After the football season, Roets had labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder.

“He’s been fully released and looks good,” Miller noted. 

Junior Nate Miller advanced to state last year in the discus, finishing 11th. Miller is coming off a labrum surgery on his throwing shoulder.

“He’s been released, but we’re playing it slow,” Coach Miller said. “He’s our top guy in shot and disc and he’s been looking phenomenal in practice. We’re easing him back into it.” 

Another key performer who is coming off an injury is senior Billy Wolfe.

Wolfe suffered an ACL injury in football. In fact, Wolfe’s injury took place on the same night Smith was injured.

Miller said Wolfe has not yet been released. 

“He’s doing great and is a month ahead of schedule,” Miller said of the Pittsburg State football recruit. “He should be fully released soon. He loves track and field and he works hard at it. Hopefully he can run some sprint relays and high jump for us this season.” 

Another returning state medalist is junior distance runner Evan Stevens, who placed seventh at state in the 3200 meter run with a time of 9:45. 

He’s coming off a stellar cross country season. After winning a district championship, Stevens finished 11th at the Class 4 state cross country championships. 

Other athletes who are expected to contribute nicely this season include junior Will Headrick (sprints), junior Cole Cavitt (sprints, relays), junior Mason Hedger (800), junior Jonah Spieker (throws), junior Tucker Liberatore (throws) and senior Malique McCarter (throws). 

Webb City once again has the goals set extremely high.

As far the main team goals for the season, Coach Miller listed finishing in the top three at the Central Ozark Conference Meet, winning a district championship and capturing a state trophy with a top-four finish.

“I think we have the top end talent to accomplish these goals,” he said. “We’ve started the season hungry to improve. We have to stay healthy and focused as the season progresses.” 

Miller noted his team still has some areas to improve upon.

“We need to find a couple more 800 guys to fill our 4×800 relay and our sprint relays need to build continuity throughout the season so we can score at the state meet.” 

Miller is confident that if his squad continues to develop and work hard, it will have the pieces in place to contend for a state trophy.

“We have some dedicated seniors with big goals,” said Miller, who led the Cardinals to a team championship in ’21. “I know their passion for track and field will help us progress towards the postseason. We want to prove that we belong at the top of Class 4. We’re also excited to add coach Tanner McNutt and Nicholas Ray to our coaching staff.” 

Webb City will begin the season at next Thursday’s Carthage Invitational.

 

WRESTLING: Carthage’s Brown retiring after more than two decades of success

Posted on by Jason Peake

After 21 successful years in charge of the Carthage High School wrestling program, Kenny Brown is stepping down.

Brown confirmed his time in charge of the CHS wrestling program has come to an end during a speech at his team’s end of the season banquet. 

“It has been a wonderful 21 years as the head wrestling coach of Carthage High School,” Brown said in his speech. “I know that when I was awarded the job, there were a lot of people concerned about what would happen with Carthage wrestling after Coach (Bob) Holman stepped down. I hope I didn’t disappoint them. It is never an easy decision to leave a program that means so much to you. I grew up in Kirksville, wrestled youth in Kirksville and medaled at state for Kirksville, but I am now and always will be a part of Carthage wrestling before anywhere else.” 

Kenny Brown

Among those who Brown thanked during his speech were Bob Brown, Ray Harding and Holman.

“Bob Brown, thank you so much for convincing me to take the job,” Kenny Brown said in his prepared statement. “Ray Harding, I have told you multiple times, but it needs repeated. Thank you for being willing to take a chance on a young coach with a passion for wrestling who didn’t have head coaching experience.

“Bob Holman…I can’t say enough about Coach Holman,” Brown continued. “He handed over the keys to a kingdom. I was lucky enough to take over a program that was already established as one of the best in the area, and that is a testament to Coach Holman. Carthage wrestling is where it is today because of the groundwork laid by him.” 

In addition to thanking his former assistants, managers, administrators, trainers, parents, bus drivers, the booster club, youth coaches and alumni, Brown also thanked his wife, Crystal, and his daughter, Morgan.

“Every year, I would ask Morgan if she wanted me to quit because I was gone so much,” Coach Brown commented. “Luckily for me, her answer was always no. She liked the fact that her dad was the Carthage wrestling coach. She actually got mad when she thought there was a chance that I wouldn’t be the coach for her senior year.

“Finally, Crystal. When I started dating her, she had never even been to a wrestling match. Now she is what one would call a zealot when it comes to wrestling. This program would be a shell of what it is now without her. This has always been a team effort in what we do. She is as much a part of this as I have been. A lot of the extra things we do to make this a special experience for the boys come from her rounding off my rough edges.”

Carthage went 176-49 in duals during Brown’s tenure, with an impressive 285-93 overall record with dual tournaments included. 

The Tigers had numerous state medalists under Brown’s direction, including state champions Kale Schrader (2019) and Austen Heidlage (2008). 

BASEBALL: McReynolds duels Joplin past Booker T. Washington

Posted on by Lucas Davis

CLAREMORE, Okla. — Justin McReynolds was dominant on the hill as Joplin opened the Tigers/Zebra Classic with a 1-0 win over Booker T. Washington (Oklahoma) on Thursday.

Joplin’s second matchup of the day against Glenpool was suspended because of rain.

McReynolds earned the win on the bump after pitched a complete-game shutout. He scattered four hits, walked two and struck out 12. 

Adean Wolfe took the loss after allowing one unearned run on four hits, four walks and two strikeouts in six innings.

Joplin’s lone run of the game came in the third inning when Jackson Queen reached on a fielding error by Booker T. Washington that allowed Brady Mails to score. 

McReynolds, Brock Wagnorn and C Shoemaker each had hits for Joplin in the win. 

Joplin is back in action in the Tigers/Zebra Classic with a matchup against Claremore on Friday.

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD: Carthage to build around large, talented sophomore class

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Carthage High School girls track and field squad features 55 total athletes, 16 returning athletes, and 20 newcomers for head coach Nicole Sipes.

“The girls have been really focused and motivated in their practices so far this season,” Sipes told SoMo Sports. “There has been a lot of mentoring by upperclassmen and returning athletes with our incoming freshman group. They are really leading by example. Newcomers are excited and challenged by learning new things and competing at a high level. There has been great positivity and motivation by the group as a whole.

“We are very optimistic for our upcoming season and have been working hard to carry on the tradition of our successful track and field program. We are very excited about our large turnout of athletes joining our team this year and hope our numbers and hard work ethic will help us compete at a high level. We have several experienced upperclassmen and a talented sophomore group who will lead by example for our competitive freshman group coming out this year.”

Carthage’s returners are seniors Lilly Homes (throws, sectional qualifier), Maddy Lee (throws), and Joey Hettinger (jumps, district champ and state qualifier in high jump last season, signed with Central Missouri for track and field), juniors Trisha Kanas (sprints, jumps) and Jenna Wilson (distance), and sophomores Karlie Nichols (throws), Millie Templeman (jumps), Ashlyn Brust (sprints, sectional qualifier), Lexa Youngblood (sprints, sectional qualifier), Aven Willis (sprints, sectional qualifier), Jaidyn Brunnert (hurdles), Jordyn Childs (throws), Maggie Boyd (distance, sectional qualifier), Grace Brown (distance, sectional qualifier), Katy Witherspoon (distance) and Kailyn Shultz (sprints).

The Tigers also feature a large group of promising newcomers, including sophomore Lauren Choate (mid-distance, jumps). 

“We had a huge turnout of girls come out this year,” Sipes said. “Great for the program. As always our team goals are to win our home meets, conference and district and qualify as many as possible to sectionals and state. Individually, we want every kid to improve, whether she is the No. 1 in that event or the No. 10. The great thing about track and field is that everyone can participate, and in some way, she can contribute to the team.

“Stay healthy, be unselfish and accept what is best for the good of the team and work hard every single day. If we accomplish those things, we will be competitive. Our focus this year is getting better every day. The rest will take care of itself.”

The Tigers opened their 2023 season Wednesday by winning McDonald County’s Ebenee Munoz Memorial Stampede with 197.5 team points, 63.5 more points than runner-up Monett.

Youngblood won individual titles in the 100-meter dash (12.71 seconds) and the 400 (1:02) and participated in the 4×100 (52.22) and the 4×400 (4:21).

Hettinger (long jump), Karlie Nichols (discus), Holmes (shot put), and Boyd (1600) also won individual titles in their respective events.

The 4×200 and the 4×800 also finished second, as did Brunnert in the triple jump and the 100 hurdles, Hettinger in the high jump, Katy Witherspoon in the 3200, and Karlie Nichols in the shot put.

Brunnert finished third in the 300 hurdles, Willis placed third in the 200, and Carrol also finished third in the high jump.

Carthage’s schedule continues with the Carthage Invitational (March 30), Parkview Girls Night Out (April 5), Joplin Invitational (April 12), KU Relays (April 14-15), the Carl Junction Invitational (April 21), and the Girard Invitational (April 28).

The Tigers have the Central Ozark Conference meet (April 24), the Class 5 District 6 meet (May 13), sectionals (May 20), and possibly state (May 26-27) to close out their season.

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Carl Junction earns first win; Neosho sweeps first day of Roy B. Shaver; McAuley tops Sarcoxie

Posted on by Lucas Davis

CARL JUNCTION 8, HOLLISTER 7

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to erase a one-run deficit on the way to a seesaw victory in the Bulldogs’ first win of the season over Hillcrest on Wednesday. 

The Bulldogs scored a run in the first inning and two in the second before trailing 4-3 through two and a half innings. Carl Junction scored three runs in the bottom of the third to jump back in front before Hollister scored twice in the fifth and once in the sixth to take a 7-6 advantage. Carl Junction responded with two more runs in the sixth to regain the advantage on the way to the win.

Gaige Carson earned the start and took a no-decision after allowing six runs, four earned, on seven hits, a walk and two strikeouts in five innings. Mekhi McGarry earned the win after pitched two scoreless relief innings, walking one and striking out two.

Ronald Daniels took the loss in relief for Hollister after allowing two runs on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

Logan Eck had two hits, including a double, an RBI and scored a run. Cody Hollingsworth had two hits, who also doubled, a pair of RBI and scored a run. Drew Massey had a hit and two go-ahead RBI. Arlen Wakefield had a hit and scored two runs. 

Carl Junction is at McDonald County on Saturday.

 

NEOSHO 11, REEDS SPRING 1

NEOSHO, Mo. — Host Neosho hung crooked numbers on the board in the first, fourth and fifth innings on the way to a five-inning win over Reeds Spring on the first day of the Roy B. Shaver Classic.

The Wildcats scored twice in the first inning before plating five runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth to seize control for good. 

Quenton Hughes allowed one unearned run on one hit and five strikeouts in a complete-game win in five innings.

Koby Essary took the loss after allowing six runs on four hits, eight walks and three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.

Wyatt Shadwick doubled, had two hits, walked twice, scored two runs and drove in two for Neosho at the plate. Austin Rodriguez doubled, scored a run and drove in one. Eli Zar had a hit, drove in three and scored a run. River Brill had a hit, scored twice and had one RBI. Hughes and Colton Southern had a hit and scored a run.

 

NEOSHO 10, HILLCREST 0

NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho defeated Hillcrest via run rule in six innings to close out the Wildcats’ first day of the Roy B. Shaver Classic. 

Carter Fenske highlighted the win with a no-hitter on the mound, striking out 14 batters in the process. Zar led Neosho at the plate with a two-run homer.

Neosho takes on Diamond at noon on Friday.

 

PURDY 4, CARTHAGE 1

AURORA, Mo. — Purdy scored single tallies in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings on the way to a win over Carthage in the first round of the Roy B. Shaver Classic.

Josh Brown earned the win for Purdy after allowing one run on four hits, three walks and three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Alex Aldaba didn’t allow a run in 1 2/3 relief innings, striking out two.

Landon Bland took the loss for Carthage after allowing three runs, one earned, on six hits, two walks and five strikeouts in five innings of work. Bradyn Tate allowed one unearned run on one hit in one relief inning.

Travis Hughes had two hits and drove in a run for Purdy. Trey Hughes doubled and scored a run. Josh Brown had a hit and scored a run.

Langston Morgan had a hit and scored a run for Carthage, while Clay Kinder had a hit and drove in one. Cooper Lilienkamp also had a hit.

 

STRAFFORD 8, CARTHAGE 7

AURORA, Mo. — Strafford staved off Carthage’s late rally to beat the Tigers in six innings in their final game of the first day of the Roy B. Shaver Classic.

Strafford scored three runs in the fourth and four in the fifth to take a 7-2 lead over Carthage. The Tigers rallied hard with five runs in the sixth to tie the game before Strafford broke the tie with a go-ahead run scoring in the sixth inning before going on to win.

Carthage had 11 hits in the win, with Ty Perry, who doubled, leading the way with two hits and a run scored. Morgan had a hit, drove in two and scored a run. Tate had a hit and drove in one, while Mason Adams and Taylor Stevens-Diggs each had a hit and scored a run.

 

MCAULEY CATHOLIC 5, SARCOXIE 4

The McAuley Catholic Warriors earned their first win of the season by beating the Sarcoxie Bears on Wednesday.

The game was deadlocked at three when McAuley plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Sarcoxie got a run back in the top of the seventh before the Warriors recorded the final out.

Tripp Miller was the winning pitcher. He went five innings, struck out eight, scattered five hits, walked four and allowed two earned runs.

Michael Parrigon and Chase Gardner also pitched for McAuley. 

Rocco Bazzano-Joseph and Parrigon recorded two hits apiece for the Warriors. Gardner drove in two runs.

Joe Staton doubled, while Bradley Wagner and Kendall Jones added one hit apiece. Wagner scored two runs. 

Sarcoxie’s Carson Torrance took the loss after allowing two earned runs on four hits in four innings. He struck out six. Caleb Chrisman struck out four and gave up two earned runs in two innings.

Dugan Pogue had three hits for the Bears (0-2).

McAuley (2-1) is at Northeast Vernon County on Friday. 

 

TRACK & FIELD: Carthage sweeps team titles at McDonald County

Posted on by Jason Peake

ANDERSON, Mo. — In the opener of the 2023 track and field season, Carthage’s girls and boys both captured the team championships at McDonald County’s Ebenee Munoz Memorial Stampede on Wednesday.

Carthage’s girls compiled 197.5 team points to finish on top of the standings. Monett (134) and Cassville (103) were second and third, with McDonald County (93.5) fourth.

Carthage’s boys took first in the team standings with 187 points. East Newton was second with 105, Cassville was third with 101 and Monett was fourth with 100.

 

GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS

Carthage’s Lexa Youngblood had a memorable start to her sophomore season, as she won two individual events and was also part of two winning relays. 

Youngblood took first in both the 100-meter dash (12.71 seconds) and the 400-meter dash (1:02).

Also winning individual events for Carthage were Joey Hettinger (long jump), Karlie Nichols (discus), Lilly Holmes (shot put) and Maggie Boyd (1600). 

In the 4×100 relay, Carthage’s team of Alexis Patrick, Youngblood, Aven Willis and Hettinger took first in 52.22 seconds.

The Tigers also won the 4×400 relay in 4:21, with Willis, Evelyn Carrol, Boyd and Youngblood competing.

The Tigers were second in the 4×800 relay, with Grace Brown, Katy Witherspoon, Lauren Choate and Boyd competing. Carthage was also second in the 4×200 relay, with Willis, Trisha Kanas, Kamryn Dininger and Patrick running.

Carthage’s Jaidyn Brunnert took second in both the triple jump and the 100 hurdles and she was third in the 300 hurdles.

Also taking second in their individual events were Hettinger (high jump), Witherspoon (3200) and Nichols (shot put). Willis placed third in the 200 and Carrol finished third in the high jump. 

College Heights Christian’s Jesi Bever was second in the long jump and fourth in the 100 hurdles, while teammate Maddy Colin placed fourth in the high jump.

Also for CHC, Jayli Johnson and Lauren Ukena finished third and fourth in the 100, while Marla Anderegg placed fourth in the 1600 and fifth in the 800. 

The Cougars placed third in the 4×800, with Johnson, Anderegg, Amelia Hagale and Ukena competing.

Jasper sophomore Crystal Smith had a big meet, as she won four individual events—the high jump, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the 200-meter dash.

Other individual event winners in the girls meet were Cassville’s Annie Moore (pole vault) and Jolie Evans (800), Monett’s Addalyn Brownlee (triple jump) and Sadie Camp (3200) and McDonald County’s Anissa Ramirez (javelin).  

McDonald County’s Analisa Ramirez was the runner-up in the javelin, while Anna Price took third in the pole vault and Peyton Cooper was third in the discus.

 

BOYS HIGHLIGHTS

Winning individual events for Carthage were Miguel Solano (400), Daryl Martin (300 hurdles), Haydon Cooper (pole vault) and Micah Lindsey (shot put).

Carthage’s Trenton Yates finished second in three events—the 110 hurdles, high jump and triple jump. Yates was third in the 300 hurdles.

Also taking second for the Tigers were Braxton McBride (100), Solano (1600), Devin Smith (3200), and Kruz Castor (long jump). Caleb Fewin finished third in the 3200 and Solano was third in the 800.

Carthage finished second in the 4×400, with Castor, Jackson Hettinger, Darrin Witt and Jonah Eby competing.

The Tigers also placed second in the 4×800 (Trey Nye, Skuylor Honeycutt, Michael Lanyon, Fewin).

McDonald County’s Josh Pacheco (long jump, triple jump) and Andrew Moritz (javelin) claimed first-place finishes for the Mustangs. 

The Mustangs won the 4×100 relay (Samuel Barton, Dalton McClain, Tucker Dill, Esteban Martinez-Olvera) and the 4×200 relay (Martinez-Olvera, Aidrian Short, McClain, Pacheco).

Cassville won the 4×400 (Charles Elliott, Caleb Leach, Peter Littlefield, Jacob Martinez) and the 4×800 (Elliott, Matteo Lumetta, Martinez, Caleb Leach).

Monett’s Konner Poynter had a memorable meet, winning the 100, 200 and 110 hurdles.

Other individual event winners were Monett’s Julio Cruz (3200) and East Newton’s Chase Sorrell (800, 1600), Michael Crowe (high jump) and Dominic Shaw (discus).

College Heights’ top finish came in the 4×200 relay, as the team of Colsen Dickens, Derek Bowman, Ethan Ukena and Logan Decker took second.

Also for the CHC boys, Dickens finished third in the 400, Caleb Quade placed third in the high jump, Decker finished fourth in the long jump, Ukena took fourth in the triple jump and fifth in the 200 and Ian Edwards was sixth in the 110 hurdles. 

The Cougars were fifth in the 4×100 relay and sixth in the 4×800.

 

McDonald County Ebenee Munoz Memorial Stampede

Girls team standings: Carthage 197.5, Monett 134, Cassville 103, McDonald County 93.5, Jasper 65, College Heights Christian 51, East Newton 22, Southwest 20, Wheaton 10.

Boys team standings: Carthage 187, East Newton 105, Cassville 101, Monett 100, McDonald County 94, Jasper 67, College Heights 48, Southwest 21, Gentry 6, Wheaton 5.

SOFTBALL: College Heights bests Springfield Catholic 8-3 in season opener

Posted on by Lucas Davis

The College Heights Christian Cougars opened their 2023 season with a 8-3 win on Wednesday against the Springfield Catholic Irish at the Gene Bassman Softball Complex within the Joplin Athletic Complex.

College Heights junior pitcher Maddy Colin struck out 17 Springfield Catholic batters and finished with two hits allowed as well as two walks.

College Heights scored at least one run during six times at bat with three in the third, two in the fifth, and one in the first, second, and sixth innings.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to get out on the field and play against another team,” College Heights coach Mike Howard said. “We’re just overjoyed to be out here playing softball again. Any time you have a first game of the year, there’s going to be jitters, and we have a lot of new girls too, so a lot of them were nervous at the beginning but I think they came into their own there as the game progressed and they got more comfortable. We did a good job for the most part offensively, baserunning was good, so I was proud of them.”

Springfield Catholic plated single runs in the third, fifth, and seventh.

“Springfield Catholic’s got a nice team, and they did a great job over there,” Howard said. “They have a couple good pitchers and some good hitters. They battled up there and made Maddy work for it tonight. Tip your cap to them, they’re going to have a fine season. I feel like we came out and did the things we needed to do to go ahead there.”

Colin entered her junior season with a 34-9 career record, an 1.33 ERA, and 478 strikeouts and 30 walks.

She boosted her career numbers to 35 wins, 495 strikeouts, and 32 walks after only the first game of her junior season.

“She did a great job tonight,” Howard said. “She stayed on top with her pitching. I’m proud of her for coming out first game of the year and pitching as good as she did.”

Kloee Williamson, who doubled and scored a run, Aaliyah Perez and Allie Stout each had two hits in the win for the Cougars. Stout picked up an RBI, while Perez scored once and drove in one. Kallie Spencer had a hit, an RBI and a run scored, while Colin also recorded a hit and an RBI.

College Heights, who partners with McAuley Catholic in softball and won a district title in 2021, enters the season unranked in Class 2 and the Cougars’ loaded district includes the two top-ranked teams in the state, No. 1 and defending state champion Diamond and No. 2 Mount Vernon.

The Cougars are 37-9 overall during their past two seasons and saw a 15-win improvement from 3-12 in 2019 to 18-4 in 2021.

College Heights returns to action Friday on the road against Riverton (Kansas), an opponent the Cougars are 3-4 overall against dating back to the 2015 season.

College Heights played a JV game Wednesday, something new for the Cougars this season.

“Last couple years, we’ve only had just enough for varsity,” Howard said. “(Assistant coach) John (Blankenship) has done a good job recruiting girls from College Heights to just come and give softball a try. Come out and have fun, and who knows you may enjoy it. We’ve got a lot of girls out this year. A lot of them are new for the first time, but it’s nice to be able to get out here and play some JV games and get them acclimated to the speed of the game. We want to be able to teach them through JV games and how they’re able to progress.”

BASEBALL: McDonald County rallies past Neosho

Posted on by Lucas Davis

 

NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho held a 4-2 lead before McDonald County scored seven runs in the sixth inning to fuel a 9-4 come-from-behind win on Tuesday.

With the win, McDonald County improves to 3-2, while Neosho falls to 1-1.

Cross Dowd earned the win after pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits, walking five and striking out two.

Austin Rodriguez took the loss for Neosho after allowing five runs on seven hits, four walks and five strikeouts in five innings.

Isaac Behm had three hits, drove in two and scored one run for the Mustangs. T Walters had two hits, scoring twice and drove in a run. Jack Parnell had two hits and scored a run. Weston Gordon had a hit, scored a run and drove in a run. Jacob Gordon had a hit and an RBI.

Carter Fenske had two hits, including a double, and scored a run for Neosho. River Brill and Colton Southern had a hit, drove in one and scored one. Brody Crane had a hit and scored one run. 

McDonald County hosts Carl Junction and Camdenton on Saturday.

Neosho hosts the Roy B. Shaver Classic on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

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