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Month: April 2023

BASEBALL: Joplin falls to Smithville, Nevada on Senior Day

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Joplin hosted Smithville and Nevada for a twinbill on Senior Day, with the Eagles suffering a pair of losses ahead of a lengthy road trip to wind down the season. 

“It was a tough couple of losses against two quality teams who have good players up and down their lineup,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said. “I thought we competed fairly well in that second game against Nevada. … You take the lessons that you are going to learn from it, show up on Monday, have a good practice and get back after it next week.”

Joplin senior Layten Copher triples in his first at-bat against Nevada on Saturday. Photo by Jamie Beck.

NEVADA 9, JOPLIN 5

Nevada rallied with three runs in the second inning and two in the third to build a four-run lead before Joplin tied the game up at 5-5 with a crooked number in the sixth. Nevada once again rallied with a three-run sixth inning to take control and added an insurance run in the seventh on the way to the win.

“I thought we responded well after a poor Game 1,” Nevada coach Danny Penn said. “We came out ready to swing the bats. I thought Drake (Ketterman), on the mound, did a good job of pitching to contact. For the most part, we were able to make plays behind him. Overall, I thought it was a good performance.”

SENIOR DAY

Before the game against Nevada, Joplin honored nine seniors—Landon Maples, Brady Mails, Jackson Queen, Byler Reither, Justin McReynolds, Layten Copher, Sam Moore, Aiden Kerr and Alex Isbell.

“It is a group where a lot of them are getting an opportunity to go play at the next level next year, so we are excited to see what they do with that,” Wolf said. “You also have guys in this group who are going to travel the world being a welder or HVAC guys. It’s a really neat group, and their personalities certainly are unique. We appreciate their contributions and the time and effort they’ve given to our program.”

ON THE MOUND

Cade Beshore earned the win in relief after pitching three scoreless innings on three hits and one strikeout. Ketterman earned a no-decision after allowing five runs on four hits, three walks and two strikeouts in four-plus innings of work.

Isbell took the loss after allowing four runs on three hits, four walks and a strikeout in 2 1/3 innings. Brecken Green allowed four runs, three earned, on four hits, a walk and five strikeouts in 3 2/3 relief innings. Mails allowed a run on two hits in one relief inning.

GAME ACTION

Joplin opened the game with the scoring, plating a single tally in the top of the first inning after Copher ripped a ball over the head of the center fielder with two outs in the frame to plate Mails, who led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch.

Nevada responded its next time up to bat, crossing home three times in the top of the second inning to take a 3-1 advantage. Barrett Nadurata, Ketterman and Case Sanderson all had RBI singles in the frame.

“That is really big,” Penn said when asked about seeing his team rally twice to earn a win. “That is something that we’ve talked about to our guys since before the first game. When the opposition throws a punch, be ready to throw one back. … We had a couple of big hits today. Over the last two weeks, we have had a lot of different guys step up with those big hits, which is definitely nice to see.”

The Tigers added two more runs in the top of the third inning when Jett Snyder singled past the shortstop to score the runners on second and third for a 5-1 lead.

Nevada’s Drake Ketterman delivers to home during the Tigers’ win over Joplin on Saturday. Photo by Jamie Beck.

Joplin rallied in a big way in the last of the fifth inning. The Eagles plated four runs in the inning, with Caden Shoemaker, Reither and Copher all coming up with run-scoring singles in the frame.

“He is swinging the bat really well,” Wolf said of Copher’s day at the plate. “I thought he was on time and didn’t try to do too much. I think that shows him, too, that you don’t have to do too much to drive the ball the way he does. He plugged both gaps throughout the course of the day and when he is doing that, he is a good hitter who is difficult to get out and makes our lineup a whole lot better.”

The Tigers refused to go away, loading the bases with two outs in the top of the sixth before Caden Klumpp gave Nevada the lead once again with a bases-clearing double to make the score 8-5.

“Caden is only a sophomore, and that is something I sometimes lose sight of,” Penn said. “His previous (at-bat) he got a little long in his swing and was trying to do too much. … I was proud of him for getting up there and making the adjustment on his own of shortening his swing. He got a pitch middle-in and got the barrel out in front for a big-time hit.”

AT THE PLATE

Ketterman had two hits, including a double, an RBI and scored a run to lead Nevada at the plate.

Copher finished a home run shy of the cycle, tripling, doubling and singling his way to three hits and three RBI to lead Joplin.

 

SMITHVILLE 13, JOPLIN 1 (6 INNINGS)

Smithville held a 5-1 lead before scoring eight times in the sixth inning en route to the six-inning win in the opening game on Saturday.

Wryker House earned the win after allowing one run on four hits and two strikeouts in five innings.

Eli Sotlar took the loss after allowing seven runs, six earned, on five hits, three walks and two strikeouts in five innings.

Ryker Edwards had two hits, including a double, and four RBI, while Drake Odneal tripled on the way to two hits and three runs scored to lead Smithville.

Copher had two hits, including a double, and an RBI to lead Joplin at the plate, while Reither had a hit and scored a run.

 

SMITHVILLE 10, NEVADA 0 (5 INNINGS)

Smithville scored seven runs in the first innings before adding two runs in the second and a run in the third inning on the way to a five-inning win over Nevada in the middle game.

Garrett Pulse earned the win after pitching four scoreless innings on two hits, two walks and three strikeouts in four innings.

Klumpp took the loss after allowing nine runs, five earned, on six hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.

Odneal had two hits, including a double, two RBI and scored a run to lead Smithville at the plate.

Sanderson and Blake Woods had doubles for Nevada.

UP NEXT

Joplin (6-15) is at Webb City on Tuesday in Central Ozark Conference action in the first of six straight road games.

Nevada (12-6) hosts Lamar on Tuesday in Big 8 West Conference action.

 

BASEBALL: Webb City earns wins over Battle, No. 7 Kearney

Posted on by Jason Peake

KEARNEY, Mo. — The Webb City Cardinals improved to 15-9 overall on the season and extended their winning streak to four games with a pair of wins Saturday, as they defeated Battle 4-3 and host and seventh-ranked in Class 5 Kearney 8-5.

The host Bulldogs entered their game against Webb City with an eight-game winning streak, including their 7-4 win over Battle in the opening game of the day Saturday, but the Cardinals played spoiler on nine straight.

Webb City found itself in a 5-1 hole after Kearney pushed across one in the first and four in the second, but the Cardinals responded in a decisive fashion and closed out the scoring with seven in the third.

Gage Chapman singled to left to start Webb City’s big inning, Sam Weller sacrificed and reached on an error, and Cy Darnell loaded the bases on a bunt single.

Chapman scored on an error, Weller scored on a sacrifice fly by Shaun Hunt, and Darnell scored on another Kearney error that allowed Kaylor Darnell to reach first.

William Hayes put Webb City ahead 6-5 with a two-run double that scored Payton Marshall and Kaylor Darnell, then Hayes scored on a Kearney error and Chapman finished the game’s scoring in style with an RBI triple bringing home Landon Johnson.

Chapman led Webb City’s eight-hit attack with two, both of which came in the third, and Weller, Cy Darnell, Hunt, Drew Vonder Haar, Kaylor Darnell, and Hayes each had one hit.

Hayes drove in two runs and Chapman, Hunt, and Vonder Haar each picked up RBI, while Weller scored two runs and Cy Darnell, Kaylor Darnell, Hayes, Johnson, Chapman, and Marshall each scored one.

Vonder Haar earned the win and he allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits with one strikeout and four walks over his five innings.

Walker Sweet pitched two scoreless innings of relief and he allowed two hits and finished with five strikeouts and no walks.

Webb City scored six unearned runs against Kearney starter Brycen Morrison, and the Cardinals overcame four errors of their own in their 8-5 win.

Webb City and Battle did all their scoring early during their game, as well, with the Cardinals erasing a 3-2 deficit with two runs in the third.

Marshall and Chapman proved to be a major part of the story against Battle, as they combined to pitch four scoreless innings of relief after starter Luke Beverlin lasted three innings and gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

Not only did Marshall and Chapman pitch four scoreless, neither pitcher allowed a hit nor walked a Battle hitter during their 41 combined pitches.

Marshall pitched three scoreless and earned the win with two strikeouts and Chapman pitched a scoreless seventh with two strikeouts.

The Cardinals started promisingly offensively against Battle, as Weller hit a leadoff triple on the first offering from Battle starter Raye Kennon and Cy Darnell doubled Weller home seven pitches later for a quick 1-0 lead for Webb City.

Down 2-1, Webb City tied it up in the second when Hayes singled to left, stole second, and scored on a Johnson RBI single.

Cy Darnell led off the Cardinal third with a single, stole second, and scored on an error that also allowed Hunt to reach first. Vonder Haar scored courtesy runner Eli Miller on a single.

Webb City returns home for Senior Night on Tuesday against conference and county rival Joplin, as the Cardinals will attempt to honor their large senior class of players with their fifth straight win overall that would improve them to 16-9 overall and 7-1 in the Central Ozark Conference with only Willard remaining on Thursday.

SOFTBALL: College Heights drops twinbill at Pittsburg

Posted on by Jason Peake

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The College Heights Christian (with McAuley Catholic) softball team dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader at Pittsburg, Kansas, on Saturday.

Pittsburg won the opener 7-4 and the Dragons topped the Cougars 1-0 in the second game.

In the opener, the Dragons led 4-2 when they pushed across three runs in the sixth inning.

The Cougars rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough.

Maddy Colin took the loss after giving up five earned runs on nine hits while striking out eight in six innings.

Kloee Williamson went 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored. Jayli Johnson and Colin drove in two runs apiece. Johnson tripled and Colin doubled.

Pittsburg’s Roary Hunziker was the winning pitcher. She allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out nine in the complete-game effort.

Pittsburg’s Mya Russell had three hits and scored three runs, while Heather Mowdy and Megan Johnston drove in two runs apiece.

In the second game, Pittsburg plated the game’s lone run in the third inning after an error and a wild pitch.

Colin took the hard-luck loss despite allowing no earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five.

The Cougars were limited to three hits, two by Johnson and one by Colin.

Georgia Boekhout was the winning pitcher. She struck out nine in the complete-game shutout. 

Johnston had two of Pittsburg’s four hits.

College Heights is now 15-5 on the season.

The Cougars host Clever at 4:30 on Monday. 

College Heights will host Greenfield on Tuesday and Diamond on Thursday to conclude the regular season.

TRACK & FIELD: Carthage captures team titles at Girard; McAuley Catholic athletes perform well

Posted on by Jason Peake

GIRARD, Kan. — With a strong overall showing, Carthage’s boys and girls captured the team championships at the Girard Optimist Club Track Meet on Friday. 

Carthage’s boys compiled 150.5 points. Chanute was second with 101 and Girard was third with 99.

Carthage’s girls finished with 114 points, with Pittsburg second (104.5) and Girard third (99). 

There were 13 teams in attendance, including McAuley Catholic.

 

CARTHAGE HIGHLIGHTS

Carthage’s Micah Lindsey won two events. A senior, Lindsey won the shot put with a school record toss of 56 feet even. Lindsey also won the discus with a toss of 149-3.

Daryl Martin also won two events. 

Martin took first in the 110 hurdles in 16.35 seconds, with teammate Trenton Yates third (16.86). Martin won the 300 hurdles in 41.58 seconds.

Miguel Solano won the 1600 in 4:42. He also finished second in two other events, the 400 and the 800.

Featuring Kruz Castor, Jackson Hettinger, Yates and Braxton McBride, Carthage won the 4×100 relay in 44.69 seconds.

The Tigers took second in the 4×800 relay, with Trey Nye, Xander Vazquez, Michael Lanyon and Caleb Fewin competing.

Carthage was also second in the 4×400, as McBride, Martin, Trey Nye and Joseph Childs recorded a time of 3:34.

Fewin and Devin Smith placed first and second in the 3200, while Yates placed second in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump, McBride took third in the 400, Hettinger took fourth in the triple jump and Aydan Nye was fourth in the pole vault.

On the girls side, Carthage’s Lexa Youngblood won the 200-meter dash in 27.28 seconds. Youngblood was second in the 100 with a time of 12.99 seconds.

Joey Hettinger won the high jump (4-10), with teammate Evelyn Carrol second (4-8). Hettinger took second in the long jump.

Chasity Straw won the discus with a toss of 106-11.5 and Karlie Nichols (35-1) and Lilly Holmes (34-3) were the top two finishers in the shot put.

Also for the CHS girls, Maggie Boyd finished third in the 800, Jaidyn Brunnert was fourth in the 100 hurdles, Ashleigh Rowden took fourth in both the 400 and the high jump, Ada Roughton was fourth in the triple jump and Jenna Wilson was fifth in the 3200.

The CHS girls were third in the 4×400, fifth in the 4×800 relay and sixth in the 4×100.

 

MCAULEY CATHOLIC HIGHLIGHTS

McAuley’s Michael Parrigon took second in the 1600 with a time of 4:42. He was also fourth in the 800.

The Warriors finished fourth in the 4×100 relay, with Dylan Taffner, Jack Jones, Ethan Stabb and Alex Bohachick competing.

The team of Bohachick, Taffner, Jones and Parrigon finished fourth in the 4×400 relay.

McAuley’s 4×800 relay team of Bohachick, Connor Taffner, Drew Zeb and Trae Veer finished seventh.

Also for the Warriors, Jones finished fourth in the high jump, Veer was sixth in the 3200 and Bohachick finished seventh in the 400.

For the McAuley girls, Kendall Ramsey won the 3200-meter run with a time of 12:48. 

Ramsey finished second in the 1600 in 5:39.

 

Girard Optimist Club Track Meet

Boys team scores: Carthage 150.5, Chanute 101, Girard 99, Parsons 74, Pittsburg 46, Fort Scott 29, McAuley Catholic 28, St. Mary’s Colgan 26, Riverton 18, Baxter Springs 14.5, Frontenac 6, Southeast 4, Columbus 3.

Girls team scores: Carthage 114, Pittsburg 104.5, Girard 99, St. Mary’s Colgan 74, Fort Scott 56.5, Chanute 50, Baxter Springs 26, Riverton 25, Frontenac 19, McAuley Catholic 18, Parsons 17.5, Columbus 3.5.

TRACK & FIELD: Webb City sweeps team titles at own invite

Posted on by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY, Mo. — The host Cardinals swept both team championships at the Webb City Invitational track meet on Friday at Cardinal Stadium.

Webb City’s boys compiled 170 points, and Neosho (160.5) and Joplin (144) were second and third, respectively.

Webb City’s girls topped the team standings with 155.5 points. Joplin (126) and Carl Junction (119.5) finished second and third.

Webb City’s Trey Roets won the javelin at Friday’s Webb City Invitational. Roets, a returning state medalist in the event, recorded a toss of 53.49 meters. Photo by Jason Peake.

WEBB CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Webb City’s Grayson Smith was all smiles during Friday’s pole vault competition at the Webb City Invitational. Photo by Sloan Uebinger.

The Cardinals went 1-2-3 in the pole vault, with defending state champion Grayson Smith taking first (4.93m), Justin Allen second (4.7m) and Jadon Brisco third (3.95m).

Webb City took first and second in the javelin, as Trey Roets was first (53.49m) and Tucker Liberatore (49.17m) was second. 

Webb City’s Evan Stevens won two individual events and was part of a winning relay.

A junior, Stevens took first in the 3200 in 9:59. Stevens (2:01) and Mason Hedger (2:04) finished first and second in the 800, while William Wolfe won the 200-meter dash in 22.42 seconds.

The 4×800 relay team of Fenton Rice, Noah Lankard, Hedger and Stevens took first in 8:25.

Second-place finishers for the Cardinals were Nate Miller (discus), Noah Moss (110 hurdles) and Wolfe (100), while Jordan Thornburg finished third in the 100 and Jace Jones was fourth in the 110 hurdles. 

Finishing fifth in their events were Andrew Dawson (1600), Dalton Riggs (110 H), Moss (400) and Dakota Grove (800).

The team of Brisco, Moss, Joshua White and Hedger finished third in the 4×400 relay.

Winning events for the Webb City girls were Abi Street (3200), Chase Stilley (high jump), Essence Robinson (long jump), Aubree Lassiter (discus), Jaeli Rutledge (shot put) and Dawsyn Decker (javelin).

The team of Emily Countryman, Aspen White, Kristina Bundy and Brooke Hedger won the 4×800 in 10:27.

Webb City’s girls were second in the 4×400, with Kylie Jennings, Stilley, Alyssa Moreno and Robinson competing.

White was the runner-up in the 800, Hedger took second in the 400 and Countryman finished third in the 1600.

Joplin and Neosho were among the teams competing at the Webb City Invitational on Friday.

JOPLIN HIGHLIGHTS

Joplin’s boys won the 4×100 relay in 43.91 seconds, with Quinton Renfro, Tayshaun Palmer, Orion Norris and Davin Thomas competing.

Joplin’s 4×200 relay team of Palmer, Fredy Cerrato-Martinez, Norris and Thomas finished second.

The Eagles were fourth in the 4×400, with Ian Horton, Jamohn Smith, Avarus Kuhn-Wofford and Cerrato-Martinez competing.

Horton and Chance Tindall finished second and third in the 1600, while Grey Edwards and Tindall were second and third in the 3200. 

Taking third in their events were Aiden Scourten (triple jump), Dontrell Holt (shot put) and Kuhn-Wofford (110 H).

Fourth-place finishers were Aidan Sampson (long jump), Cordell Washington (triple jump), Thomas (100), Scourten (400) and Norris (200). Drew VanGilder took fifth in the javelin.

Joplin’s girls won the 4×200 relay in 1:49, with Phia Vogel, Abigayle Lowery, Abigail Eckert and Brylee Strickland competing.

The JHS girls won the 4×100 in 50.45 seconds, with Vogel, Sophie Krumsick, Eckert and Lowery running. 

The Eagles were third in the 4×400, with Kiki Thom, Krumsick, Aubrey Strickland and Holden competing.

Second-place finishers for the Joplin girls were Kendall Nyarango (long jump), Micah Holden (100 hurdles) and Brylee Strickland (100, 200).

Taking third were thirds: Maria Loum (pole vault) and Aubrey Strickland (triple jump), while fourth-place finishers were Eckert (long jump), Claire Jasper (shot put) and Loum (100 H).

 

CARL JUNCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Carl Junction sophomore Sydney Ward won three events. Ward crossed the line first in the 100-meter dash in 12.49 seconds, won the 200 in 25.5 seconds and also took first in the 400 in 58.53 seconds.

CJ’s Acadia Badgley (3.05m) and Brooke Jasperson (2.75m) finished first and second in the pole vault. 

Madilyn Olds took second in the javelin, Dezi Williams finished third in the high jump and Izzy Southern was third in the shot put.

The CJ girls were second in the 4×400, with Emily Rice, Evie Weibel, Delaney Harris and Zoie Weibel competing.

For the Carl Junction boys, Owen Hensley finished fourth in the pole vault, Braxton Dodds took fifth in the javelin and Ryder Pyles was fifth in both the long jump and triple jump

 

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS

The College Heights boys finished fourth in the 4×800 relay, with Zach Beaty, Steven Calandro, Ian Edwards and Jace Edwards competing. 

The Cougars were also fourth in the 4×200, with Logan Decker, Levi Durling, Caleb Quade and Derek Bowman running.

Quade finished third in both the long jump and high jump and was also seventh in the triple jump, while Calandro was fifth in the 300 hurdles.

The College Heights girls won the 4×400 relay in 4:19, with Jesalin Bever, Jayli Johnson, Allie Stout and Lauren Ukena running.

The CHC girls finished second in the 4×200 in 1:50, with Johnson, Stout, Ukena and Bever competing.

Also for the CHC girls, Johnson finished third in the 400 and fifth in the 100, Bever was fourth in the 300 hurdles and sixth in the 100 hurdles and Marla Anderegg took third in the 800 and fifth in the 1600. 

Bailey Peoples and Maddy Colin tied for sixth in the high jump. 

Neosho’s duo of Riley Kemna and Chloe Wood compete in the 1600 at Friday’s Webb City Invitational. Photo by Jason Peake.

NEOSHO HIGHLIGHTS

Neosho’s boys won two relays, the 4×200 in 1:32 and the 4×400 in 3:29. Competing in the 4×200 were Izaiah Hill, Tyrone Harris, Isaiah Green and Tyrese Hill. Running the 4×400 were Isaiah Keezer, Green, Virgil Rosiere and Izaiah Hill.

The Wildcats were second in the 4×100, with Brock Franklin, Tyrese Hill, Harris and Jared Siler competing.

Tyrese Hill won the 100-meter dash in 11.14 seconds and took second in the 200 (22.43). Izaiah Hill won the 400 and placed third in the 200, while Keezer was third in the 400. 

Siler and Green were first and second in the long jump, while Green and Siler were first and second in the triple jump. Siler and Cade Camerer finished second and third in the high jump.

Carter Baslee took third in the discus and fifth in the shot put, while Collyn Kivett finished third in the javelin.

For the Neosho girls, Miranda Wennhold and Claire Burghart took first and second in the triple jump. 

Jazmyn Washington was second in the high jump and took third in the 100 hurdles.

Chloe Wood and Riley Kemna finished second and third in the 3200, while Wood was the runner-up in the 1600, with Kemna fourth. 

Kaylee Schibi placed third in the discus, Madilyn Ebbinghaus was fourth in the 200, Raine Harris took fourth in the triple jump and Kailyn Daniels took fifth in the pole vault.

The NHS girls took fourth in both the 4×100 and 4×200 relays.

Mac County’s Tyler Rothrock runs next to Willard’s Barrett Jarvis during the 800-meter run at the Webb City Invitational. Photo by Sloan Uebinger.

MCDONALD COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS

McDonald County’s 4×400 relay team of Dominic Cervantes, Hunter Leach, Dalton McClain and Josh Pacheco finished second.

McDonald County’s boys finished third in the 4×200 relay, with Esteban Martinez-Olvera, McClain, Aidrian Short and Pacheco competing.

The Mustangs were fourth in the 4×100, with Samuel Barton, Martinez-Olvera, McClain and Pacheco running.

Leach placed third in the 800, Toby Moore finished fifth in the discus and Andrew Moritz was seventh in the javelin.

McDonald County’s Anissa Ramirez finished third in the girls javelin, while Gia Coffel and Savannah Leib finished third and fifth in the high jump.

Lacey Nixa took fourth in the pole vault and fifth in the 300 hurdles, while Anna Price was fourth in the 800, Carlie Martin was fifth in the triple jump and Clara Horton finished fifth in the 400.

 

THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGHLIGHTS

Thomas Jefferson’s 4×800 relay team of Trenton Farley, Braden Honeywell-Lynch, James Wisdom and Eann Espinoza finished fifth.

Honeywell-Lynch took seventh in the 1600.

Sheraz Anis finished eighth in the 100 hurdles and ninth in the 300 hurdles.

For the Thomas Jefferson girls, Macie Shifferd placed fourth in the 3200, Jenna Joseph was eighth in the 800 and Gabriella Hiebert took eighth in the long jump.

The TJ girls were seventh in the 4×100, with Leah Studer, Hiebert, Haley Orr and Nico Carlson competing.

 

WEBB CITY INVITATIONAL

Girls team scores: Webb City 155.5, Joplin 126, Carl Junction 119.5, Neosho 96.5, Willard 83, College Heights Christian 55, McDonald County 49.5, Thomas Jefferson 9.

Boys team scores: Webb City 170, Neosho 160.5, Joplin 144, Willard 135, McDonald County 40, College Heights 33.5, Carl Junction 28, Parkview 7, Thomas Jefferson 7.

Joplin’s Drew VanGilder competes in the javelin on Friday night at the Webb City Invitational.

 

Thomas Jefferson’s Sheraz Anis competes in the 110 hurdles on Friday at the Webb City Invitational.

 

Webb City and Joplin compete in the 4×200 relay on Friday.
Carl Junction competes in the 4×200 relay.

 

Tucker Liberatore competes in the javelin on Friday.

 

Webb City’s Julian Andrae competes in the long jump at Friday’s Webb City Invitational. Photo by Sloan Uebinger.

SOFTBALL: Mount Vernon beats Diamond in battle of top-ranked teams

Posted on by Jason Peake

NEOSHO, Mo. — The Mount Vernon Mountaineers and the Diamond Wildcats are the first- and second-ranked teams in Class 2 by the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association, entering their game Friday with more than a combined 50 wins between them.

Mount Vernon and Diamond, the defending Class 2 state champions, split their first two meetings this season: Mount Vernon won the first 4-3 in the Joplin Area Tournament (March 18) and Diamond won the second 8-2 in the Mountaineers’ home tournament (March 22).

Since that loss, their only loss of the season so far, the Mountaineers have now rattled off 22 consecutive wins after their 12-6 win on Friday over Diamond within the Marion Sports Complex.

The Mountaineers scored one in the first and the second, then fell behind 6-2 after the Wildcats scored six in their half of the second, and Mount Vernon closed out the scoring with two in the third, three in the fourth, and five in the fifth.

“That’s been our strength all year,” Mount Vernon coach Matt Schubert said. “It’s probably the best team hitting wise in the 10 years that we’ve played softball at Mount Vernon. We’ve got girls all up and down the lineup as you saw with the nine hitter hitting one off the scoreboard. The girls do a great job of being prepared and they usually do a pretty good job of getting a swing on the ball.”

Molly Daniels doubled and scored a run in the first, Cheyenne Bieber doubled and scored a run in the second, Rae Downing doubled in a run in the third, Ally Burk hit a two-run home run in the fourth and Burk added a RBI single and Payge Evans a two-run double in the fifth.

Burk, Downing, and Evans combined for half of the Mountaineers’ 12 hits with two each and Bieber, Isabel Cloud, Daniels, Allie Schubert, Maddie Schubert and Harley Daniels combined for the other half with one hit each.

Downing doubled twice and Evans, Bieber, and Molly Daniels each added a double.

Burk drove in three and scored two runs, Evans drove in two and scored three runs, Downing drove in two runs, and Bieber scored two runs.

The Mountaineers scored more than 10 runs for the 19th time this season.

Harley Daniels earned the win and she allowed six runs (two earned) on five hits with 11 strikeouts and five walks over seven innings.

Mount Vernon has one regular season game remaining before the start of postseason competition.

The Mountaineers are the top seed and tournament host for the upcoming Class 2 District 6 tournament with a field that includes Diamond, College Heights, Pierce City and Sarcoxie.

“That’s what we talked about after the game,” Coach Schubert said. “Seniors only have two guaranteed games left. We added one for Tuesday just before this game (Diamond) started. It’s important for us to maintain that momentum we’ve built and maintain the focus that we strive for. It’s something that we want to make sure that we carry over from game to game.

“Being in the toughest district in the state again, when you come out of it you’re going to be prepared to go on a good run just like Diamond did last year. It’s always fun to play good teams and Diamond is exactly that. They’re better than a good team. They’re probably a great team. But it’s something that you got to be prepared for and you can’t take a play off and you can’t come in unfocused.

“I think the rain (Friday) cost us a little bit of focus at the beginning of the game, but once we got down there 6-2 after the second inning, our girls refocused and were able to come back.”

Mount Vernon improved to 30-1 overall.

Kabrie Parmley’s two-run homer highlighted the Wildcats’ six-run second that also featured Aubrey Ball’s two-run double and a Talyn Daniels RBI double.

Sara Roszell took the loss and she allowed 12 runs (10 earned) on 12 hits with one strikeout and two walks over five innings, while Kenzie Crook pitched two scoreless innings, allowed two hits, and struck out and walked one.

With the district seeds already locked down, Diamond coach Kelsey Parrish used Friday as an opportunity to spread the playing opportunities among her reserves late in the game.

“We were just trying to move things around,” Parrish said. “Going in, I just wanted as many batters as possible on our team that could face Harley the better. We’ve already been seeded at district, and I thought this game was more of an opportunity to see different situations. They have really good bats, though.

“We were able to switch it up in the third, so we could get more plate appearances with everyone to see who is going to come out and be the most competitive against her (Harley Daniels) hopefully when we meet up in the postseason. We’ve got to beat good teams to get there, so who knows what’s going to happen in our district.”

Diamond fell to 22-8 on the season and the Wildcats close out their regular season Thursday on the road against College Heights Christian (McAuley Catholic).

If the Mountaineers and the Wildcats meet for a fourth time this season, it would be for a district title on Tuesday, May 9, at the Spirit of 76 Park in Mount Vernon.

“I think it’s going to be a scramble,” Parrish said. “We have some really good teams. Sarcoxie is on a 14-game winning streak right now, Mount Vernon has only one loss, Pierce City, College Heights. It’s a very tough district … so we’ll see what happens.”

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: College Heights beats Wheaton; McAuley defeats El Dorado Springs

Posted on by Lucas Davis

COLLEGE HEIGHTS 12, WHEATON 2 (5 INNINGS)

College Heights started scoring early and didn’t let up in a five-inning win over Wheaton in Ozark 7 Conference action on Friday.

With the win, the Cougars earned a share of the Ozark 7 Conference championship.

The Cougars (6-9) scored six runs in the first inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Jayce Walker and Austin Miller to take control. College Heights crossed home four times in the third inning with Josh Anderson, Miller and Smoke Ezell all picking up RBI singles consecutively before Ben Thomas wrapped the scoring with a run-scoring double.

Miller earned the win after allowing twoo runs, one earned, on one hit, two walks and four strikeouts in three innings. Bo Sitton pitched two scoreless innings and allowed two hits.

Preston Johnson took the loss after allowing 10 runs, five earned, on seven hits, a walk and a strikeout in 2 2/3 innings. 

Walker, Anderson and Miller each had two hits at the plate for CHC. Anderson drove in three and scored twice, while Miller scored twice and drove in two. Walker added two runs scored.

College Heights hosts East Newton on Monday.

 

MCAULEY 5, EL DORADO SPRINGS 1

McAuley broke a 1-1 tie with a single tally in the fourth inning, two runs in the fifth and a run in the fifth inning on the way to a win over El Dorado Springs on Friday.

Trey Martinez picked up the win after allowing one unearned run on six hits, three walks and five strikeouts in six innings.

KanDyn Ewert took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts in four innings. 

Rocco Bazzano-Joseph had two hits, including an RBI double in the fifth inning, to go along with two runs scored. Kable Reichardt tripled and scored a run. Bradley Wagner had a hit and drove in a run, while Noah Black had a hit and scored a run.

McAuley (6-10) hosts Bronaugh on Monday.

TRACK & FIELD: Sarcoxie girls win conference meet, boys take 2nd

Posted on by Jason Peake

SARCOXIE, Mo. — The Sarcoxie High School girls track and field squad captured the team championship at the Southwest Conference Meet on Thursday.

The top five girls teams were Sarcoxie (174), Pierce City (163), Stockton (87), Ash Grove (76.5) and Pleasant Hope (52).

The Sarcoxie boys finished second in the team standings with 141 points. Stockton was first with 204. Finishing third, fourth and fifth were Marionville (118), Ash Grove (84) and Diamond (52).

The Sarcoxie girls won all four relays.

Winning individual events for the Sarcoxie girls were Madison Chrisman (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles), Alexis Letts (high jump), Ariel Wilson (long jump), Jordyn Misner (triple jump) and Nikki Roth (javelin).

Wilson (400), Laney Dorris (800, 1600) and Lily Garrison (3200) all finished second in their respective events.

Stockton’s Kylie Hunter won three events, the 100, 400 and 800.

Other individual event winners in the girls meet were Pierce City’s Liliana Lasker (200) and Emma Hunt (1600, 3200), Marionville’s Olivia Hopkins (shot put), Ash Grove’s Jamalynn Atkinson (discus) and Pleasant Hope’s Gwendolyn Montle (pole vault).

Diamond’s top finishers were Jernie DeWitt and Ashlyn Daniel. DeWitt placed fourth in the 100-meter dash and the 300 hurdles, while Daniel took fourth in the 100 hurdles.

Sarcoxie’s boys won two relays, the 4×100 and the 4×200.

Winning individual events for the Sarcoxie boys were Noah Garrison (200), Jaron Malotte (110 hurdles, pole vault) and Garrett Smith (javelin).

Malotte was the runner-up in two events, the 300 hurdles and the long jump.

Marionville’s Wil Carlton won three events, the high jump, long jump and triple jump.

Other individual event winners were Diamond’s Zachary Roughton (300 hurdles), Marionville’s Braydon Bellah (100) and Stockton’s Jay Baxter (400), Braden Postlewait (800, 3200), Caden Duncan (1600) and Jayse Sharif (shot put, discus).

Diamond’s Roughton was also the runner-up in the 110 hurdles. Diamond’s Alexander Brown placed third in the discus, while Nicholas Meza finished fifth in three events, the 100, 200 and long jump.

 

Southwest Conference Meet

Girls team scores: Sarcoxie 174, Pierce City 163, Stockton 87, Ash Grove 76.5, Pleasant Hope 52, Marionville 51, Miller 35, Lockwood 34, Diamond 30.5.

Boys team scores: Stockton 204, Sarcoxie 141, Marionville 118, Ash Grove 84, Diamond 52, Lockwood 38, Pierce City 36, Miller 28, Pleasant Hope 3.

 

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Mac County beats Seneca; Republic rallies past CJ; Nixa cruises past Carthage

Posted on by Lucas Davis

 

MCDONALD COUNTY 5, SENECA 2

ANDERSON, Mo. — McDonald County scored in five straight innings to rally past Seneca on Thursday.

Seneca scored twice in the top of the second inning to take the initial lead before McDonald County added single tallies in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to pace the way to the win.

Isaac Behm earned the win after allowing two runs on four hits, four walks and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Drew Sherwood took the loss after allowing five runs, four earned, on seven hits, a walk and two strikeouts in six innings.

Tucker Walters had two hits, drove in one and scored once for the Mustangs (14-6).

Cade Galindo had a hit and scored a run for Seneca (12-10).

McDonald County is at Rogersville on Friday.

Seneca hosts Lebanon on Friday.

 

NEVADA 9, EAST NEWTON 1

NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada scored nine runs in three innings to pace the way to a win over East Newton on Thursday.

The Tigers (11-6) scored three runs in the second inning to take the lead before adding four insurance runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth inning. 

Case Sanderson earned the win after striking out 10 without allowing a hit or walk over six innings.

Mason Hailey took the loss after allowing nine runs on five hits, six walks and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Riddick Shook had two hits, including a double, four RBI and scored two runs, while Drake Ketterman tripled and drove in three.

Nevada is on a road doubleheader at Joplin on Saturday with a matchup against the Eagles and Smithville.

 

REPUBLIC 8, CARL JUNCTION 2

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction held a 2-0 lead before Republic scored four times in the third inning and three more times in the fourth to fuel a win over the Bulldogs on Thursday.

Myles Lozano earned the complete-game win after allowing two runs on seven hits, two walks and two runs scored in seven innings.

Cooper Vediz took the loss after allowing eight runs, four earned, on five hits, three walks and four strikeouts in six innings.

Collin Myers doubled, drove in two and discord a run, while Garrett Lester had a hit and two RBI. Devon Hughes had two hits and scored twice for Willard.

Brody Pant had three hits and scored a run to lead Carl Junction at the plate.

Carl Junction (7-14, 2-5 COC) is at Mount Vernon on Monday.

 

NIXA 15, CARTHAGE 1 (5 INNINGS)

Nixa scored nine times in the fourth inning and five more times in the fifth inning to beat Carthage in Central Ozark Conference play on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium.

Ethan Taylor earned the win after pitching four scoreless innings, scattering five hits, walking one and striking out five in four innings.

Brodie Cole took the loss after allowing 10 runs, eight earned, on seven hits, six walks and four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

Tanner Grant homered on the way to four hits, six RBI and a run scored to lead Nixa at the plate.

Brody Carlton had two hits and an RBI to lead Carthage at the plate.

Carthage (3-19, 0-7 COC) takes part in the Lawrence River City Festival over the weekend.

 

BOYS TENNIS: Neosho falls to Republic

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Neosho High School boys tennis team suffered an 8-1 loss to Republic on Thursday.

Neosho’s lone win came at No. 1 singles, as Christian Williams defeated Republic’s Jonathon Cole 8-3.

In other singles matches, Republic’s Gavin Collyott defeated Willis Jarvis 8-2, Caleb Long beat Reid Snyder 8-2, Cooper Davis topped Peyton Williams 8-2, Austin Hardcastle beat Breckin McAffrey 8-0 and Joseph Mountain defeated Noah Schade 8-5.

In doubles, Cole-Collyott defeated C. Williams-P. Williams 8-5, Davis-Cooper Choate beat Jarvis-Snyder 8-2 and Long-Mountain topped McAffrey-Schade 8-2.

Neosho is scheduled to compete at the Republic Invitational on Friday.

BASEBALL: Neosho’s late rally falls just short against Branson

Posted on by Jason Peake

NEOSHO, Mo. — The host Neosho Wildcats dug themselves a 7-2 hole Thursday in their Central Ozark Conference game against the visiting Branson Pirates.

Branson plated four runs in the second and three in the fifth, then Neosho rallied back with three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh during a 7-6 win for Branson at Roy B. Shaver Field within the Marion Sports Complex.

The Wildcats had tying run Quenton Hughes on second when Kael Smith flied out to left to end the game.

Nixa scored four runs in the second Tuesday during a 6-1 loss at home for Neosho, and the second inning Thursday mirrored the one two days earlier in that Branson scored four runs on two hits and three walks.

“Not the outcome that we wanted,” Neosho coach Bo Helsel said. “The kids competed today after we got down big early. For the most part this year, we have limited the big innings. Today, we didn’t. They got a four spot, and we probably could have kept it to a two spot. Then they got a three spot and probably could have kept it to one, but that’s baseball sometimes.

“I thought the kids competed well and they worked hard. They stayed in it. We got our bats going after that third inning. Drake (Swift) came in and got a big hit to get us out of the funk and from there on we hit pretty well. That kid (Branson junior pitcher Hunter Jones) is pretty good. He’s sitting 85, probably some of the hardest we’ve seen all year. We’ll try and take some positives from it, but it definitely hurts.”

After being retired in order in the first and second, Neosho junior Drake Swift connected on the Wildcats’ first hit of the game with a single to left and he stole second, but the home team remained scoreless as Jones picked up a pair of strikeouts to retire the side.

With one down in the fourth, Neosho cut a four-run deficit in half after a Wyatt Shadwick ground rule double and an Austin Rodriguez RBI double.

The Pirates answered with three runs on five hits and one Neosho error in the fifth against Rodriguez, who spelled Neosho starter Carter Fenske in relief for one inning.

In the sixth, Rodriguez hit a leadoff single, Hughes reached on a single, and pinch hitter Hudson Williams worked a four-pitch walk to load the bases with Wildcats and just one out. Fenske, hitting between Rodriguez and Hughes, was denied a potential extra-base hit by a diving catch from Branson center fielder Collin Ross.

Swift took one for the team with the bases loaded and Eli Zar contributed a sacrifice fly.

Shadwick led off the seventh with a first-pitch single against Branson side-armed reliever Kyler Lankton and scored on Hughes’ two-out RBI single to draw the Wildcats to 7-6.

Hughes stole second and nearly had another 90 feet to advance were it not for center fielder Ross backing up a throw from catcher Aaron Strohm to nobody at the bag at second.

Smith, who delivered a walk-off single earlier this season in the ninth inning of a 4-3 win against Strafford for the Roy B. Shaver Classic title, just missed on a game-tying hit Thursday.

“It was nice that Shaddy stepped up to hit the first pitch for a hit,” Helsel said. “It got us rolling. Again, it is tough to see from that arm angle. You never see it, especially all the righties coming from behind them. But, for the most part, we competed like we had from the fourth inning on.

“We’ve been coming out a little flat. We’ve got to fix that. I don’t know if it’s our preparation or what it is, but we’ve got to come out and hit a little better early in innings and put some pressure on teams like they did to us. That’s usually a good recipe to get a win.”

In Branson’s four-run inning, Strohm hit a sacrifice fly and Ross a two-run single as the Pirates’ junior center fielder impacted the game both offensively and defensively.

Sam Adkisson, Jones, and Strohm connected with RBI singles in the fifth.

Jones earned the win and Fenske took the loss. Hughes pitched scoreless sixth and seventh in relief to give the Wildcats a chance late.

Hughes led Neosho with three hits and Rodriguez and Shadwick each had two.

Neosho dropped to 13-11 overall and 1-6 COC, and the Wildcats return home Monday for a contest against Hollister.

The Wildcats have two weeks remaining in the regular season and they would like to enter the postseason playing their best baseball. They are 1-7 over their last eight games, including two losses against state-ranked Nixa and one against state-ranked Willard.

“We’ll take the positives from (Thursday),” Helsel said. “We competed, the bats were much better, defense was pretty good, a couple too many walks, but Branson hit the ball so give them credit. We have three games next week. We play Hollister on Monday, so come out and see if we can get it fixed then.”

BOYS TENNIS: Thomas Jefferson tops Nevada

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Thomas Jefferson boys tennis team defeated Nevada 8-1 on Thursday at the TJ courts.

Tom Brumfield’s Cavaliers are now 9-0 this spring.

The Cavaliers swept all three doubles matches.

At No. 1 doubles, Prithvi Nagarajan and Devan Murali defeated Jayden Thankamani and Michael Earnest 8-0, while Chengle Qian and Jack Goodhue beat Gage Miller-Zade Lee 8-0 at No. 2 doubles and Sam Li and Nathaniel Curtis topped Kenneth Johnson-Henry Campbell 8-4.

Thomas Jefferson won five of six singles matches.

In singles, TJ’s Nagarajan defeated Thankamani 8-0, Murali beat Earnest 8-5, Qian topped Miller 8-2, Goodhue defeated Lee 8-2 and Li beat Johnson 8-1.

Nevada’s Campbell defeated Curtis 8-5 at No. 6 singles.

Thomas Jefferson hosts Aurora on Tuesday.

 

BASEBALL: Production in the middle innings leads No. 5 Willard past Joplin

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Willard hung crooked numbers up on the scoreboard in the middle innings to fuel a 9-1 win over Joplin in Central Ozark Conference play on Thursday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

After both teams went scoreless through the first pair of innings, Willard (18-8, 6-1 COC) struck for three runs in the top of the third to take control. After Joplin (6-13, 2-4 COC) answered in the bottom half of the inning with a single tally to trim the lead to two, the Tigers, who totaled 12 hits in the win, added three more unanswered runs in the fourth and added a two spot in the fifth for an  8-1 lead en route to the win.

“They’re a good baseball team and have won a lot of games over the last however many years for a reason,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said. “They do things well. I thought we did some good things over the course of the game, we just couldn’t stack them together.”

Willard took the lead in the top of the third inning after plating three runs to break a scoreless tie. Landon Moore led the inning off with a single before coming around to score later in the frame on an RBI single by Cooper Wilken with one out. The Tigers pushed the advantage to 3-0 when Kaelin Adams doubled to left-center field with two outs and runners on second and third to plate both runners.

Joplin cut the lead to two in the next half inning when Brady Mails singled to center with two outs and a runner on second, with the runner scoring on a fielding error by Willard to make the score 3-1.

The Tigers’ offensive production continued in the fourth, touching home three more times to build a 6-1 lead. Klayton Kiser singled to center with runners on the corners to drive in the first run of the inning. Drew Quinlan followed with a sharp single through the middle of the infield to push two more runs across for a five-run cushion. 

Willard added two more runs in the fifth on an RBI single from Moore before a second run came around to score on an error. The Tigers wrapped their scoring with an inside-the-park home run by Kyle Beeman in the top of the seventh inning.

Cooper Wilken earned the win after allowing one unearned run on two hits and six strikeouts in five innings. 

“We didn’t get enough base runners,” Wolf said. “Their kid did a good job of pounding the zone with his fastball early in the count to get ahead of us, and then we had to chase a little bit. I thought we put some balls in play and hit some balls hard, just right at people. 

Kutler Schwarting took the loss after allowing six runs, four earned, on 10 hits, two walks and two strikeouts in four innings. Eli Sotlar allowed three runs, two earned, on two hits, three walks and a strikeout in 2 2/3 innings.

“Kutler did a good job of trying to keep them off balance,” Wolf said. “We got some weak contacts—groundouts and pop ups. … 

Moore had three hits, scored twice and drove in one, while Wilken had three hits, drove in one and scored once to lead Willard at the plate. Kiser and Beeman had two hits each, with Beeman scoring three times and drove in one and Kiser scoring once and picking up an RBI.

Mails had two hits and Sotlar, who doubled, had two hits for Joplin’s total in the game. Sotlar also scored a run.

Joplin hosts Smithville at 11 a.m. and Nevada at 3 p.m. for Senior Day on Saturday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

BASEBALL: Webb City improves to 6-1 in COC with walk-off win over Ozark

Posted on by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Kaylor Darnell delivered the game-winning hit in the 10th inning and Webb City improved to 6-1 in Central Ozark Conference play by beating Ozark 5-4 in walk-off fashion on Thursday at Chuck Barnes Field. 

The COC marathon was deadlocked at four when the Cardinals finally ended it in the bottom of the 10th inning. In the final frame, Webb City senior first baseman Kenley Hood reached on an error with one out, taking second on the play.  

Next, senior third baseman Kaylor Darnell smacked a line drive down the left field line, Ozark left fielder Brock Dodd was unable to corral the ball and pinch-runner Andrew Elwell scored the game-winning run on the error.

The Cardinals are now 13-9 overall after a second straight COC home victory. 

Webb City senior right-hander Walker Sweet earned the pitching victory. Sweet took over in the eighth and struck out eight straight batters while tossing three scoreless innings in relief. He gave up one hit and hit a batter.

Webb City sophomore right-hander Landon Fletcher started and took a no-decision. He allowed two earned runs on six hits and struck out six in seven innings.  

Senior shortstop Cy Darnell had three hits for the Cardinals.

Ozark scored once in the third inning without recording a hit, as Brady Dodd was hit by a pitch and later scored on an error.

The Cardinals tied it up in the bottom half of the third. With two outs, Sam Weller was hit by a pitch before Cy Darnell singled to right. Weller charged home on Shaun Hunt’s RBI single up the middle.

Webb City took the lead in the fourth.

Hood singled and went to second on a wild pitch. After Kaylor Darnell was retired, William Hayes laid down a bunt and the Tigers threw it away, allowing Hood to score the go-ahead run.

The Cardinals added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth. Cy Darnell singled, Hunt walked and Drew Vonder Haar singled to load the bases with one out. 

A fielder’s choice off the bat of Hood gave the hosts a 3-1 advantage. Next, Eli Miller charged home on a double steal for a three-run lead.

However, the Tigers scored three runs on three hits and a Webb City error in the seventh inning to tie the game. 

Neither team scored in the eighth or ninth.

A Missouri Southern signee, Sweet struck out the side in both the eighth and ninth innings. He struck out two in the 10th, as well, before the hosts rallied in the bottom of the frame.

Ozark fell to 11-11 overall and 2-4 in the COC. 

Ozark’s Hudson Roberts went five innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five. 

Alex Nimmo took the loss after allowing a run in the 10th. He went 4 1/3 innings in relief.

Webb City travels to Kearney on Saturday for a pair of non-conference contests. The Cardinals take on Battle at 1 p.m. and Kearney at 3.

 

FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)

BOYS TENNIS: Thomas Jefferson wins Monett invite

Posted on by Jason Peake

MONETT, Mo. — The Thomas Jefferson Cavaliers captured the team championship at the Monett Invitational boys tennis tournament on Wednesday.

Thomas Jefferson finished with 18 points, while Monett was the runner-up with 13 points. Carthage and New Covenant tied for third with 11 points.

Rounding out the field were Webb City (6), Mount Vernon (3.5), Aurora (2.5) and Clever (1). 

The Cavaliers won two of the four brackets, No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles.

At No. 1 doubles, Thomas Jefferson’s Prithvi Nagarajan and Devan Murali went 3-0. 

The Cavaliers defeated Aurora’s Greysen Boettler-Mario Jimenez 8-0 in the quarterfinals and topped Monett’s Elijah Ridenour-Logan Kutz 8-4 in the semifinals.

In the bracket’s title match, Nagarajan-Murali beat New Covenant’s Brody Bennett-Aidan Henderson 8-5.

Thomas Jefferson’s Jack Goodhue won the No. 2 singles bracket. 

Goodhue beat Clever’s Kaden Smith 8-1 and Carthage’s Eli Scott 8-3 to advance to the title match. Goodhue defeated Monett’s Heisman Welch 9-8 (7-5) in the bracket’s championship match.

Thomas Jefferson’s Lele Qian was the runner-up at No. 1 singles. 

Qian beat Mount Vernon’s Peyton West 8-0 and topped Aurora’s Landon Boatwright 8-4. In the title match, Monett’s Ethan Kutz edged Qian 9-8 (11-9).

Thomas Jefferson’s Sam Li and Nathaniel Curtis finished fourth at No. 2 doubles. They dropped the bracket’s third-place match to Mount Vernon’s Malachi Hennum-Austin Robison 8-4.

 

WEBB CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Webb City’s Jacob McDonald and Tristan Lynch took third place at No. 1 doubles.

Webb City’s Felipe Perez finished fourth at No. 2 singles and Trevor Peterson won the fifth-place match at No. 1 singles. Webb City’s Zachary Stump-Lucas Lowery went 0-2 at No. 2 doubles.

CARTHAGE HIGHLIGHTS

Carthage’s duo of Silas Laytham and Danilo Lopez took second at No. 2 doubles. They fell to New Covenant, 8-5, in the title match. 

Carthage’s Josh Rivera finished third at No. 1 singles and Eli Scott took third at No. 2 singles.

Carthage’s No. 1 doubles team of Charlie Snow and Will Wallace won the fifth-place match.

BASEBALL: McAuley falls to Southwest

Posted on by Lucas Davis

WASHBURN, Mo. — Southwest used a four-run third inning to fuel a 6-5 win over McAuley Catholic on Wednesday.

McAuley (5-10) held a 2-0 lead after scoring single tallies in the second and third innings, with Joe Staton highlighting the scoring with a run-scoring single in the third, before Southwest (6-10) took control with four runs touching home in the last of the third.

Each team traded two runs in the fifth before the Warriors cut the lead to one in the seventh with an RBI single from Bradley Wagner. Southwest snuffed the Warriors’ comeback bid shortly after.

Hunter Barnes earned the win after allowing four runs, two earned, on three hits, four walks and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Michael Parrigon took the loss after allowing four runs on one hit, seven walks and four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.

Bradley Wagner had two hits and an RBI, while Rocco Bazzano-Joseph doubled and scored twice. Parrigon had a hit, drove in two and scored once.

McAuley hosts El Dorado Springs on Saturday.

SOFTBALL: Pierce City rallies past College Heights

Posted on by Lucas Davis

 

PIERCE CITY, Mo. — Pierce City rallied from a 1-0 deficit with single tallies in the second and third innings on the way to a 2-1 win over College Heights (with McAuley) on Wednesday.

The Cougars (15-3), fresh off clinching their third straight Ozark 7 Conference title, took the initial lead in the top of the first inning when Jayli Johnson doubled with one out before coming around to score on an RBI single to center by Lauren Ukena.

The Eagles (12-9) tied the game when a run scored on an error in the bottom of the second and took the lead an inning later on an RBI groundout by Olivia Stanphill.

Stanphill earned the complete-game win after allowing one run on six hits, two walks and two strikeouts in seven innings.

Maddy Colin took the loss after allowing two unearned runs on three hits and six strikeouts in six innings of work.

Allie Stout had two hits, while Johnson doubled and scored to lead CHC at the plate. Ukena had a hit, a walk and drove in one.

College Heights hosts East Newton on Thursday.

SOFTBALL: Top-ranked Mount Vernon improves to 29-1

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Mount Vernon High School softball team improved to 29-1 on the season by beating Clever 5-0 on Tuesday.

Harley Daniels earned the shutout victory in the circle for the Mountaineers. Daniels struck out 11, walked one and scattered eight hits in seven innings.

Rae Downing went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Hali Stokes drove in two runs. Allie Schubert, Ava Bellis and Daniels had one RBI apiece.

The Mountaineers, who recently set a school record for wins in a season, have won 21 straight games since falling to Diamond on March 22.

The Mountaineers and Wildcats are set for the rematch. Mount Vernon is at Diamond on Friday, with first pitch slated for 5 p.m.

Mount Vernon is ranked first in Class 2 by the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association. Diamond (24-8) is ranked second. 

 

TRACK & FIELD: Area athletes shine at Monett Invitational, host Cubs claim team titles

Posted on by Jason Peake

MONETT, Mo. — Area track and field teams competed at the Monett Invitational on Tuesday.

The host Cubs captured both team titles at their home meet.

The top five girls teams were Monett (98), College Heights Christian (85), McDonald County (76), Aurora (73) and Sarcoxie (61.5).

The top five boys teams were Monett (112), McDonald County (110.6), Neosho (102.6), Aurora (59.6) and School of the Ozarks (59).

There were more than 20 teams competing at the event.

 

COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN HIGHLIGHTS

The College Heights girls won five events.

Marla Anderegg won two events, the 800 with a time of 2:38 and the 1600 in 5:50.

The CHC team of Jayli Johnson, Allie Stout, Lauren Ukena and Jesalin Bever won the 4×200 in 1:51 and the same foursome also took first in the 4×400 in 4:21.

Johnson won the 400 (1:01) and was the runner-up in the 100, while Maddy Colin took second in the discus.

Ukena was third in the 200 and fifth in the 300 hurdles, while Jesalin Bever finished fourth in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 100 hurdles.

For the College Heights boys, Caleb Quade and Logan Decker finished second and third in the long jump, while Quade took third in two events, the high jump and triple jump.

Steven Calandro and Ian Edwards finished seventh and eighth in the 300 hurdles, Josiah Thomas finished seventh in the 3200 and Colton McMillan was eighth in the 1600.

The CHC boys placed fifth in the 4×200 relay and sixth in the 4×800.

 

THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGHLIGHTS

Thomas Jefferson senior Kip Atteberry won the boys 1600 with a time of 4:43.

Also for the Cavaliers, Sheraz Anis placed eighth in the 110 hurdles and the Cavaliers finished eighth in the 4×800 relay.

For the TJ girls, Sarah Mueller took second in the 800 and fifth in the 1600, while Lannah Grigg finished third in the discus, Nico Carlson placed fifth in the high jump and Samantha Seto finished sixth in the 3200.

The TJ girls took second in the 4×800 relay, with Seto, Macie Shifferd, Mueller and Carlson competing.

 

NEOSHO HIGHLIGHTS

Neosho’s boys won the 4×200 relay in 1:35, with Bentlee Farley, Konnor Siler, Lathan Cote and Colton Burr competing. 

The Wildcats were second in the 4×100 (Farley, Tryone Harris, Burr, Siler) and were third in the 4×400 (Virgil Rosiere, William Ebbinghaus, Brock Pyle, Cote).

Farley and Siler finished second and third in the 100, while Harris took fourth in the 200, Ebbinghaus was fourth in the 400 and Isaiah Rhone finished fifth in the 110 hurdles.

In the field events, Cade Camerer took second in the high jump, Drew Cobb was the runner-up in the pole vault, Collyn Kivett placed fourth in the javelin and Nicolas Olivares finished fourth in the shot put. 

Neosho’s girls finished fifth in the 4×100 relay, with Kendra Clark, Olivia Emery, Kali House and Keely Keeton competing.

Keeton placed fifth in the triple jump.

 

SENECA HIGHLIGHTS

For the Seneca boys, Brodie Probert finished third in the 400, Grant Landers was fourth in the long jump and sixth in the triple jump, Blake Hurn finished sixth in the 100 and Brock Pendergraft was seventh in the discus.

The Indians were fifth in the 4×100 relay, fifth in the 4×400 and sixth in the 4×200.

For the Seneca girls, Isabella Renfro won the shot put (33-2), Anna Adkins placed third in the high jump, Cambry Long finished fourth in the 400 and sixth in the 200, Dalisia Reed took third in the 800 and sixth in the 1600 and Amber Garrison was sixth in the shot put.

The Indians finished fourth in the 4×200 relay, with Adkins, Addyson Jones, Savannah Johnson and Long competing.

 

MCDONALD COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS

McDonald County’s Josh Pacheco won two events and finished second in two others.

Pacheco won the 100-meter dash in 11.52 seconds and finished second in the 200 with a time of 23 seconds. Pacheco won the long jump (19-3) and took second in the triple jump (41-4.5).

Hunter Leach was the runner-up in the 800, Toby Moore took second in the shot put and third in the discus, Andrew Moritz placed third in the javelin, Caleb Garvin finished fourth in the 3200 and Samuel Barton was fifth in the triple jump.

McDonald County’s 4×800 relay team of Leach, Arthur Mead, Miguel Mora and Dalton McClain took first in 8:48. The Mustangs were second in both the 4×200 and 4×400 relays and fourth in the 4×100.

For the Mac County girls, Anissa Ramirez won the javelin (104-2.5), Savannah Leib took second in the high jump, Lacey Nix was the runner-up in the pole vault, Carlie Martin was third in the triple jump and fourth in the discus and Roslynn Huston took fourth in the shot put.

The MCHS girls were second in the 4×400 relay, with Clara Horton, Corina Holland, Ireona Nirka and Anna Price running.

 

MONETT HIGHLIGHTS

Monett’s Konner Poynter won four events in the boys meet, the 200 in 22.69 seconds, the 400 in 51.35 seconds, the 110 hurdles in 15.41 and the 300 hurdles in 41.92.

Monett’s Julio Cruz won the 3200 in 10:09 and took second in the 1600 in 4:44. Monett’s Jonathan Jayden Apostol took first in the triple jump with a leap of 41-6.75.

For the Monett girls, Karlee McCallister won the 100 in 13.31 seconds.

Sadie Camp took second in the 3200 and third in the 1600, while Vayla Smith was second in the 400 and fourth in the 200 and Allyson Inman finished second in the javelin.

 

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Other individual event winners in the boys meet were Sarcoxie’s Jaron Malotte (pole vault), Jasper’s Noah Neher (discus), Aurora’s Ethan Husmann (shot put) and Marionville’s Gabe Whitman (800).

Sarcoxie’s boys won the 4×100 relay, with Blake Heckmaster, Antonio Benito, Garrett Smith and Noah Garrison competing.

On the girls side, Jasper’s Crystal Smith won four events, the 200, the 100 hurdles, the 300 hurdles and the high jump.

Aurora’s Makena Hall took first in three events, the long jump, triple jump and pole vault. 

Sarcoxie’s girls won two relays, the 4×100 and the 4×800. Competing in the 4×100 were Jocelyn Benito, Jordyn Misner, Madison Chrisman and Ariel Wilson. Running the 4×800 were Lily Garrison, Remington Garrison, Andela Hirtz and Laney Dorris.

 

MONETT INVITATIONAL

Girls team scores: Monett 98, College Heights 85, McDonald County 76, Aurora 73, Sarcoxie 61.5, Seneca 52, Galena 50, Jasper 45, Thomas Jefferson 36.5, School of the Ozarks 35, Lighthouse Christian 28, Marionville 19, Diamond 15, Southwest 15, Neosho 12, New Covenant 12, East Newton 8, Wheaton 6, Bronaugh 4, Walnut Grove 4, Hollister 1.

Boys team scores: Monett 112, McDonald County 110.6, Neosho 102.6, Aurora 59.6, School of the Ozarks 59, Sarcoxie 54, Galena 49, Jasper 46, College Heights 40, Seneca 30.6, Southwest 19.6, Marionville 14, Diamond 12, Thomas Jefferson 12, Cassville 11, Lighthouse Christian 5, Wheaton 4. 

 

BOYS GOLF: Thomas Jefferson tops Carthage JV 

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Thomas Jefferson boys golf team hosted the Carthage JV team on Tuesday for a dual at Schifferdecker Golf Course. The nine-hole match was played on the front nine in cool conditions.

The Cavaliers posted a team total of 204 to the Carthage JV team total of 216.

Thomas Jefferson’s Beck McKinney fired the low score of 44 to capture the first place individual honors. 

Carthage’s Micah Brust took second place with a 47 and Thomas Jefferson’s Jack Tyrrell shot 48 for third place.

Also competing for the Cavaliers were Thomas Harrold (56), Teo Chevillard (56), Ethan Renger (60) and Liam Sexton (72).

Also competing for the Tigers were Cael Perry (55), Camden Campbell (57), Luke Lewis (57), Connor Wagoner (68) and Gabe Mercer (72).

Experienced sports journalists providing great local sports coverage in Southwest Missouri.

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