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)
