August 2023 - SoMo Sports

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Webb City, Carl Junction earn road wins in different fashion

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Lucas Davis

WEBB CITY 11, ROLLA 5

ROLLA, Mo. — Webb City trailed 5-1 heading into the final inning before rallying with 10 runs in the top of the seventh inning to fuel a win over Rolla on Wednesday.

With the win Webb City improves to 3-1.

Makenzie Wynn started and earned a no-decision after allowing five runs on eight hits, four walks and a strikeout in five innings. Laney Taylor earned the win after allowing two hits over two scoreless relief innings, walking one.

Brystol Klossner took the loss after allowing six runs, five earned, on nine hits, three walks and four strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Kylee Sargent had two hits and scored twice, while Sydney Strickland doubled on the way to two hits, two RBI and two runs scored. Abby Sargent and Addison Brown each had two hits and scored a run. Jensyn Pickett had a double, three RBI and scored a run. Kyley Senter doubled, drove in a run and scored once.

Webb City takes part in the Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Invitational hosted by Joplin High School over the weekend at the Joplin Athletic Complex. Webb City opens play with a 10 a.m. matchup against Seneca on Friday.

CARL JUNCTION 17, HILLCREST 0

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Carl Junction scored six runs in the second inning and added an 11-run third inning to defeat Hillcrest in three innings on Wednesday.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 5-1 on the young season.

Hannah Cole earned the win in the circle after pitching three scoreless innings on two hits and four strikeouts.

Mya Frillman took the loss after allowing 16 runs on eight hits, nine walks and a strikeout in 2 1/3 innings.

Kadence Hunt led Carl Junction at the plate with a 3-for-4 game that included a home run, a team-high five RBI and two runs scored. Ryleigh Palmer doubled on the way to two hits, two walks, three RBI and three runs scored. Kiley Spencer finished with two hits, two RBI and scored a run. Kinley Spindler had a hit, scored twice and drove in one.

Frillman and Ishmari Hamahe-Martinez had the lone hits for Hillcrest.

Carl Junction is at Webb City on Sept. 5.

GIRLS GOLF: Carthage’s Gaddis earns medalist honors at Lamar Invitational, area teams begin ’23 season

Posted on August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 by Jason Peake

LAMAR, Mo. — Carthage’s Shay Gaddis earned medalist honors at the Lamar Invitational girls golf tournament on Tuesday at Jeremy’s Creek Golf Course.

It was the season opener for area squads.

A junior, Gaddis carded 77 to claim the individual championship.

Cassville’s Avery Chappell was the runner-up with a 78.

Carthage’s Addie Foust finished third with an 85, Joplin’s Kenna Haley placed fourth after carding a 90 and Lamar’s Victoria O’Neal took fifth with a 93.

Carl Junction’s Lyric Belcher, Anna Burch and Rylie Matyi were among the golfers who began the 2023 season at the Lamar Invitational on Tuesday. Courtesy photo.

Carl Junction’s Lyric Belcher took sixth place with a 94, Monett’s Katie Geiss was seventh with a 95, Carl Junction’s Olivia Teeter placed eighth with a 96, Joplin’s Drew Yockey was ninth with a 98 and Webb City’s Avry Hodson finished 10th with a 102.

Finishing 11th through 15th were Lamar’s Zavrie Wiss (103), Cassville’s Adelee Hendrick (104), Carl Junction’s Rylie Matyi (108), Cassville’s Gracie Harmon (108) and Carl Junction’s Anna Burch (109).

Joplin’s Chloe Friend finished 16th (112) and Webb City’s Langlee Walker was 17th (112). Seneca’s top performer was Madison Collinsworth, who finished 19th (113).

Carl Junction’s Alex Teeter finished 20th (115), Webb City’s Brooklyn Cartwright was 21st (117), Joplin’s Gwen Zamanzadeh was 22nd (119), Seneca’s Madi Aumen took 23rd (119) and Joplin’s Macy Taylor was 24th (120).

The top four teams were Cassville (403), Carl Junction (407), Joplin (419) and Carthage (421).

Rounding out the team standings were Webb City (455), Monett (479), Seneca (490) and East Newton (519).

VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: Joplin, Webb City, CHC all victorious; Seneca falls to Neosho

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Jason Peake

JOPLIN TAKES OPENER IN FIVE SETS

PEMBROKE HILL, Mo. — In the 2023 debut, the Joplin High School volleyball team defeated Pembroke Hill in a five-set thriller on Tuesday night, as the Eagles won 25-22, 25-27, 25-20, 25-27, 15-11.

“It was a great team effort,” Eagles coach Staci Saunders told SoMo Sports. “They played their hearts out.”

Bailey Owens led the Eagles with 18 kills, 13 digs, six aces and two blocks, while Raelin Calderon added 10 kills and Janiah Vaughn contributed eight kills and eight digs.

Adalynn Noirfalise handed out 40 assists and also had seven digs and two blocks, while Phia Vogel recorded 12 digs and Amy Kessler contributed five blocks.

Joplin (1-0) is at Carl Junction on Thursday night.

WEBB CITY EARNS ROAD WIN

NEVADA, Mo. — Webb City earned victory No. 1 of the 2023 season by beating the host Nevada Tigers 3-0 on Tuesday night inside Wynn Gymnasium.

Rarely trailing on the scoreboard in all three sets, the Cardinals defeated the Tigers 25-13, 25-16, 25-20.

Webb City held leads of 16-9 and 20-11 en route to victory in the opening set.

The Cardinals scored the first four points of the second set and never trailed the rest of the way.

Webb City led 9-3 and 20-13 on the way to the third set win.

Nevada pulled within three late in the third set (23-30) before the Cardinals closed out the straight set victory.

Aubree Lassiter led the Cardinals with 10 kills and three aces and Jaeli Rutledge added nine kills.

Also for the Cardinals, Mia Lenker had four kills, Makayla Mayes added three kills and Kirra Long chipped in two kills.

Senior libero Sophia Crane had a team-high 22 digs to go with three aces, while sophomore setter Savannah Crane handed out 10 assists.

Webb City (1-1) hosts El Dorado Springs next Tuesday night.

Nevada (3-3) hosts Harrisonville on Thursday.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS BEATS LOCKWOOD

In the opener of the 2023 season, the College Heights Christian volleyball team defeated Lockwood 25-23, 25-27, 25-16, 25-21.

College Heights Christian’s Maddy Colin handed out 31 assists to go with seven kills, while Lilly Plassman had 37 digs and 10 service points.

Also for the Cougars, Toryn Fink had 10 service points and six kills, Bailey Peeples had 12 kills, Katie Moss contributed 13 digs and six kills and Allie Stout had 14 service points and three aces.

College Heights (1-0) will compete at Saturday’s Jasper Invitational.

SENECA DROPS OPENER TO NEOSHO

SENECA, Mo. — Neosho defeated Seneca in straight sets, as the Wildcats defeated the Indians 25-17, 25-13, 25-19 on Tuesday.

Seneca’s Jera Jameson recorded 10 digs and eight kills, while Ella Graham contributed 10 digs and four kills. Anna Adkins had 10 assists for the Indians (0-1).

Neosho’s stats were unavailable.

Seneca is at Reeds Spring on Thursday.

Neosho (2-4) hosts East Newton on Thursday.

Tuesday’s other scores

Carthage def. McDonald County 25-19, 25-11, 27-25

New Covenant def. McAuley Catholic 25-18, 25-16, 25-7

Thomas Jefferson def. Greenfield 25-22, 25-12, 25-16

BOYS SOCCER: Webb City knocks off Carl Junction; Carthage tops Republic; TJ blanks Columbus; Joplin falls in OT

Posted on August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY 5, CARL JUNCTION 2

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Kaulden Hood and Josh White each scored a pair of goals for the Webb City Cardinals in Tuesday night’s 5-2 victory over rival Carl Junction at Cardinal Stadium.

Hood recorded his first goal in the 52nd minute and the second in the 73rd minute, while White scored his goals in the 69th and 90th minutes.

Luis Gallardo scored on a penalty kick in the 48th minute for Webb City.

Both of Carl Junction’s goals were scored by Gavin Cowger, the first in the 43rd minute and the second in the 55th minute.

CARTHAGE 3, REPUBLIC 1

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Senior forward Welle Welle scored a pair of first half goals just two minutes apart to give Carthage a 2-0 lead in Tuesday’s match against Republic.

The first goal, which came in the 16th minute, was unassisted, while Silas Laytham assisted on the second goal in the 18th minute.

Aldo Sanchez-Cancinos recorded a goal in the 29th minute, with Welle assisting, to make it 3-0 in favor of the hosts.

Republic’s goal was scored by Santino Stiglianese in the 43rd minute.

THOMAS JEFFERSON 4, COLUMBUS 0

COLUMBUS, Kan. — Jaxx Wisdom scored a pair of goals to lead Thomas Jefferson to a 4-0 victory over the Columbus Titans on Tuesday.

Eann Espinoza and Ryker Faaborg added one goal apiece for the Cavaliers, while Yousuf Mokhtar assisted on one of Wisdom’s goals.

Wisdom recorded six shots on goal, while Espinoza had four shots on goal, Faaborg had two shots on goal and Kyler Beard contributed one shot on goal.

Bekah Davis recorded seven saves, while Lincoln Miller had two saves.

Thomas Jefferson (1-0) hosts the Joplin JV team at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

NIXA 3, JOPLIN 2 (OT)

Nixa nipped Joplin 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday night at JHS.

It was Joplin’s opener under new head coach Desmond Williams.

Joplin is at Republic on Sept. 5.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Carthage pours it on late over Seneca; McDonald County erupts early to beat Joplin

Posted on August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 by Lucas Davis

CARTHAGE 9, SENECA 5

SENECA, Mo. — A scoreless game through three innings saw Seneca take the initial lead with a run in the fourth before a three-run fifth by Carthage swung the momentum in favor of the Tigers, who capped the win with a six-run seventh inning en route to the road win over the Indians on Tuesday.

Addison Wallace earned the complete-game win after allowing five runs, three earned, on 11 hits, a walk and eight strikeouts in seven innings.

Abigail Jamros took the loss after allowing nine runs, seven earned, on 11 hits, a walk and six strikeouts in seven innings.

Carthage’s Ashlyn Brust finished with two hits, two RBI and a run scored, while Brooklynn Dolon-Main had two hits and an RBI and Aven Willis had two hits and scored a run. Shelby Hegwer doubled, scored twice and drove in one.

Jamros had three hits, including a double, and RBI and scored a run for the Indians, while Kahli Fields doubled on the way to two hits, two RBI and a run scored. Abby Stelts had three hits, and an RBI.

Carthage (3-2) and Seneca (0-2) take part in the Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Invitational softball tournament on Friday and Saturday hosted by Joplin.

MCDONALD COUNTY 12, JOPLIN 2

ANDERSON, Mo. — McDonald County hung crooked numbers on the scoreboard in the first four innings and added a single tally in the fifth on the way to a five-inning win over Joplin on Tuesday.

Jaylee Brock earned the win after allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings.

Ava Wolf took the loss after allowing five runs, three earned, on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts in an inning of work. Caelyn Bobski allowed seven runs, five earned, on eight hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings of relief.

Carlee Cooper had three hits, including a home run and a triple, a game-high four RBI and three runs scored, while Kearston Hopkins doubled and tripled, scored three times and drove in two for McDonald County. Katelynn Townsend finished with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI, while Brock had two hits and two RBI.

Abby Lowery, who doubled, and Jadyn Pankow each had two hits for the Eagles, while Lowery scored a run. Bailey Ledford doubled and drove in one.

Joplin (3-3) hosts the Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Invitational softball tournament on Friday and Saturday.

McDonald County (2-2) is at Marshfield on Thursday.

VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: Webb City drops five-set thriller in ’23 opener; Thomas Jefferson improves to 5-1

Posted on August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY DROPS FIVE-SET THRILLER

WEBB CITY, Mo. — In a back and forth five-set thriller, Bentonville West outlasted Webb City 3-2 on Monday night inside the Cardinal Dome.

The Wolverines defeated the Cardinals 17-25, 32-30, 15-25, 27-25, 15-13.

It was Webb City’s season opener.

Coming off a Final Four appearance in ’22, the Cardinals held leads of 17-7 and 22-12 in the opening set en route to the set victory.

The marathon second set had ties from 24-24 to 30-all before the visitors scored two straight to even the match at one set apiece.

Webb City led 10-2 and 21-12 in the third set victory.

The fourth set was deadlocked at 25 before Bentonville West reeled off two straight points to force a deciding fifth set.

The fifth set was tied at 13 when the Wolverines scored two straight points to get the road victory.

Senior Aubree Lassiter led the Cardinals with 15 kills, while sophomore Jaeli Rutledge contributed 10 kills and four blocks.

Sophomore setter Savannah Crane recorded a team-high 29 assists, while senior libero Sophia Crane had a team-best 23 digs.

Webb City travels to Nevada on Tuesday night.

TJ TOPS PURDY

PURDY, Mo. — Thomas Jefferson defeated Purdy in four sets, as the Cavaliers topped the Eagles 25-20, 24-26, 25-18, 25-11.

The Cavaliers, who went 4-1 at last weekend’s Verona Invitational, are now 5-1 this fall.

Thomas Jefferson hosts Greenfield at 5:30 on Tuesday night.

EAST NEWTON BEATS PIERCE CITY

East Newton defeated Pierce City 25-18, 25-22, 20-25, 18-25, 15-12 on Monday.

The Patriots (1-0) host Purdy on Tuesday, with the action scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.

GIRLS TENNIS ROUNDUP: Thomas Jefferson tops Joplin; Neosho beats Aurora

Posted on August 29, 2023September 6, 2023 by Jason Peake

THOMAS JEFFERSON TOPS JOPLIN

Thomas Jefferson’s 2023 home opener definitely went well.

The Cavaliers defeated Joplin 9-0 in a girls tennis dual on Monday at the TJ courts.

In singles matches, Thomas Jefferson’s Allison Ding edged Mya Ndedi-Ntepe 8-6, Jeanna Jeyaraj beat Isabelle Zamanzadeh 8-2, Esther Yang topped Alex Carson 8-1, Warda Morsy defeated Zayda Derganc 8-2, Mayson Solum beat Julia Reyes-Alvarado 8-2 and Emalee Ro edged Gwenna Street 8-6.

In doubles matches, Ding and Jeyaraj defeated Ndedi-Ntepe and Carson 8-3, while Yang-Solum beat Zamanzadeh-Derganc 8-3 and Morsy-Ro topped Alvarado-Lily Compton 8-1.

Thomas Jefferson hosts Nevada on Thursday. Joplin hosts Carthage on Tuesday.

NEOSHO BEATS AURORA

In the opener of the 2023 season, the Neosho High School girls tennis team defeated Aurora 5-4 on Monday.

The Wildcats won four of the six singles matches.

At No. 1 singles, Neosho’s Keely Keeton defeated Kloey Boyd 8-5.

Aurora’s McKenna Bradley defeated Emma VanDorn 8-4 and Libby Sawyers beat Francisca Ruiz 8-4.

The Wildcats won the singles matches at No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6. Angel Lee defeated Adeline Patillo 8-3, Sydnee Minton beat Esmeralda Botello 8-0 and Abigail Coutu topped Jaydn Venable 8-3.

Aurora won two of the three doubles matches.

Boyd-Sawyers defeated Keeton-VanDorn 8-4 and Bradley-Potillo edged Ruiz-Lee 8-6.

Neosho’s Minton and Coutu defeated Botello-Venable 8-5.

Neosho is at Nixa on Tuesday and at Republic on Thursday.

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: Neosho tops Seneca; Carl Junction rallies past Cassville; Carthage falls

Posted on August 29, 2023August 30, 2023 by Lucas Davis

NEOSHO 9, SENECA 2

SENECA, Mo. — Neosho poured it on late with eight runs coming in the final three innings of a win over Seneca on Monday in the season opener for both teams.

The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning before both teams went scoreless through the next two frames. Neosho scored three runs in the fourth to take a four-run lead. Both teams traded a pair of tallies in the fifth before Neosho put the game away with a three-run sixth inning.

Olivia Emery earned the win after pitching four scoreless innings on four hits and five strikeouts.

Abigail Jamros took the loss after allowing nine runs, five earned, on nine hits, four walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Addysan Hart had two hits, two RBI and scored a run, while Journey Arnall had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI. Beclynn Garrett had two hits, including a double, and scored a run.

Kahli Fields had two hits and scored a run to lead Seneca at the plate.

Neosho takes part in the Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Invitational kicking off on Sept. 1.

Seneca hosts Carthage on Tuesday.

CARL JUNCTION 8, CASSVILLE 4

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction scored five runs in the final three innings to rally for a win over Cassville on Monday.

The Bulldogs scored three times in the first inning thanks to a two-out three-run home run from Izzie Southern. The Wildcats plated four runs in the third inning to take the lead before Carl Junction’s Ryleigh Palmer, who doubled, and Madi Olds had consecutive run-scoring hits to give the Bulldogs the 5-4 lead in the fourth. Carl Junction added two runs on a Cassville error in the fifth and Palmer brought another run home in the sixth with a sac fly.

Olds had two hits, scored a run and drove in a run to lead CJ at the dish. Southern homered, drove in three and scored twice. Palmer had a hit and two RBI with a run scored. Hannah Cantrell and Kady Hunt each had a hit and combined for three runs.

Kyler Hayward had two hits, two RBI and a run scored, while Kalee Lowe and Joei Blankenship each doubled on the way to two hits and a run scored.

Kiley Spencer earned the win for CJ after allowing four runs, three earned, on nine hits and six strikeouts in a complete-game effort.

Aubrey Stoufer took the loss after allowing eight runs, four earned, on six hits, five walks and seven strikeouts in six innings.

Carl Junction (4-1) is at Hillcrest on Wednesday.

CAMDENTON 6, CARTHAGE 1

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Camdenton scored five runs in the second inning fueled by a pair of Carthage errors en route to a win over the Tigers on Monday.

Addison Wallace took the loss for Carthage after allowing six unearned runs on eight hits, two walks and two strikeouts in seven innings.

Cayden VonSande earned the win in the circle after allowing one run on six hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings.

Shelby Hegwer had a hit and an RBI to lead the Tigers at the plate. Lexa Youngblood, Brooklynn Dolon-Main, Alexis Smith, Lottie Youngblood and Aven Willis all collected hits for Carthage.

Addyson Clay had three hits and two RBI, while VonSande had two hits and an RBI and Ellie Moore added two hits and a run scored to lead the Lakers at the plate.

Carthage (2-2) is at Seneca on Tuesday.

SOFTBALL: Fifth-inning rally surges Joplin past Kickapoo in home opener

Posted on August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 by Lucas Davis

Through four innings of play, you wouldn’t have guessed Joplin would end up in the win column against Kickapoo in the home opener on Monday.

But when your offense can put up 13 runs in two innings, you’re never out of a game.

Trailing 4-1 with the Chiefs scoring a single tally in each of the first four innings, Joplin put on a furious rally with a seven-run fifth inning to take the lead before putting the game away with a six-run sixth for a 14-4 victory in six innings for the first game in front of the home at the JHS Athletic Complex.

“Early on, to be honest, I have to coach better,” Joplin coach Brenden Schneider said. “Kickapoo’s pitcher did a great job in the circle, credit to her for keeping them in that game. We just kind of won the war of attrition there. We did a good job of wearing her down and making adjustments. … With this team, you never really feel like you’re out of it because they always stay up and are always positive. … Once we figured out what we were seeing and made the adjustments, we exploded for some big innings.”

ON THE MOUND

Caelyn Bobski earned the complete-game win in the circle for Joplin after allowing four runs on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts in six innings.

“She struggled a little early on in a way, but she really didn’t throw a bad game at all,” Schneider said of his sophomore hurler. “It was just walks and hit-by-pitches. … She has come a long way and has worked really, really hard to show she can be a varsity pitcher in the COC, and that’s no easy task.”

Allison Scott took the loss after allowing eight runs on six hits, six walks and seven strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

GAME ACTION

Kickapoo took the lead in the top of the first inning when second baseman Katie Vaughn brought shortstop Taryn Hagardt home with an RBI groundout for a 1-0 advantage.

The Chiefs pushed the lead to 2-0 with an RBI groundout from third baseman Mikayla Pilley in the top of the second.

Vaughn picked up another RBI in the top of the third inning on a groundout to score Hagardt once again, who walked with one out in the frame, for a 3-0 lead.

Joplin got on the scoreboard in the last of the third inning when third baseman Bailey Ledford reached on an infield hit to score catcher Lily Glover from third base to trim the Chiefs’ lead to 3-1. Glover led off the inning with a bunt hit.

Kickapoo responded in the next half inning when first baseman Kaylee Henderson singled to center to bring the runner on second base around to score for a 4-1 advantage.

Joplin cut the lead to one in the bottom of the fifth when courtesy runner Carlie Howard and shortstop Maria Loum both scored on a wild pitch to make the score 4-3.

The Eagles came all the way back to take the lead later in the frame when first baseman Jadyn Pankow ripped an opposite-field double to left-center field with one out to plate a pair of runs for a 5-4 lead.

“Jadyn is a hell of a player,” Schneider said. “There is no other way to say it. … She has the right mentality and is one of our best leaders.”

Right fielder Ashley Phillips came up with a clutch two-out, two-run single to right field later in the inning to extend the lead to 7-4. Left fielder Taryn Casey scored later in the inning on a wild pitch to wrap the production.

“You feel like you’re never out of a game,” Schneider said when asked about the strength of his offense. “We were the same last year. … I am just so happy our girls have taken to heart some of the mental stuff we talk about—we talk about never being helpless and always being hopeful. I think that has gone a long way with this group.”

Center fielder Abby Lowery brought home a run with an opposite-field single in the sixth inning ahead of a two-run homer to center field by Pankow for an 11-4 lead. A fourth run in the inning came home on a throwing error by the Chiefs. Loum ended the game two batters later with a two-run, two-out, single to up the middle to invoke the run-rule.

“The bottom of our order didn’t look great early, but then it was base hit, walk, base hit, base hit, walk,” Schneider said about the production from the bottom half of the lineup. “That’s what you need. When the bottom of your order is working, that is really what allows the top of your order to do what they’re supposed to do.”

AT THE PLATE

Pankow homered and doubled her way to two hits, a team-high four RBI and two runs scored to lead Joplin. Lowery and Ledford, who walked twice, each had two hits, an RBI and scored twice. Phillips had two hits, two RBI and scored a run.

Henderson had a double and an RBI, while Vaughn drove in two in a hitless afternoon for Kickapoo.

UP NEXT

Joplin (3-2) is at McDonald County (1-1) on Tuesday

SOFTBALL: Webb City drops home opener to Nevada

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY, Mo. — A strong pitching performance and a four-run frame propelled the Nevada Tigers to a 5-1 victory over the Webb City Cardinals on Monday in a non-conference softball matchup.

Simply put, the visiting Tigers spoiled Webb City’s 2023 home opener.

“We got out-played today, but it’s still early in the season,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said. “They just had that one big inning. We have a lot of work still to do. It was a good game to build on and I’m sure we’ll see Nevada again.”

The clash between Class 4 District 7 foes was a pitcher’s duel between Webb City junior right-hander Laney Taylor and Nevada junior right-hander Peyton Eaton in the early stages of the contest.

Webb City starting pitcher Laney Taylor delivers a pitch to the plate against Nevada on Monday at Webb City High School. Photo by Israel Perez.

The game was scoreless until the Tigers broke through in the top of the fourth.

Nevada junior catcher Ella Heathman doubled to leadoff the frame and later scored on junior shortstop Kaleiah Johnson’s RBI single to the wall in center.

Webb City tied it up in the bottom of the fourth.

Freshman shortstop Abby Sargent singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore third baseman Kylee Sargent’s sacrifice bunt allowed Abby Sargent to advance to third.

Next, senior catcher Dawsyn Decker laid down a squeeze bunt, with the tying run scoring on the play.

The game wasn’t deadlocked long, as Nevada erupted for four runs on four hits and an error in the game-changing fifth inning.

Caylee Holcomb singled and later scored on a Webb City throwing error before Eaton helped her own cause by contributing a run-scoring single that allowed Kara Phillips to cross the plate.

Eaton later charged home on a wild pitch before Johnson hit an RBI single to left, scoring Heathman and giving the visitors a 5-1 advantage.

Webb City shortstop Abby Sargent hauls in a pop fly behind second base during Monday’s game against Nevada. Photo by Israel Perez.

The Cardinals were unable to respond late in the game, as Eaton kept the hosts off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

A returning all-district pitcher, Eaton earned the complete game victory. In a solid outing, Eaton limited the Cardinals to one run on three hits. She didn’t walk a batter.

The Cardinals had scored 11 runs in each of their first two games of the season. But on Monday, Webb City’s bats were mostly kept silent.

“She spun the ball well and she’s a good pitcher,” Friend said of Eaton. “We didn’t quite get things figured out in time today.”

Also a returning all-district performer, Taylor was charged with the loss, but she only allowed two earned runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings.

“She came out and threw well and kept them under control until that one big inning,” Friend said of Taylor’s outing. “It was the third time through the order, so they’d seen her a little bit and they made some adjustments.”

Sophomore Makenzie Wynn tossed two scoreless innings in relief for the Cardinals.

“Wynn came in and pitched really well for us,” Friend noted. “We’re looking forward to seeing her in the circle again.”

Senior first baseman Sydney Strickland, Abby Sargent and Decker had the lone hits for the Cardinals, who slipped to 2-1 on the season.

Johnson, Holcomb and Eaton had two hits apiece for the Tigers, who improved to 4-1.

Again, these two teams have been assigned to the same district, so they could meet again when the postseason arrives.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Nevada hosts Cassville on Tuesday.

Webb City is at Rolla on Wednesday. The Cardinals will compete at Joplin’s annual tournament on Friday and Saturday.

Webb City’s Sydney Strickland receives a throw at first base during Monday’s game against the Nevada Tigers. Nevada spoiled Webb City’s home opener, beating the Cardinals 5-1. Photos by Israel Perez.

Nevada junior Peyton Eaton was the winning pitcher against Webb City on Monday. Eaton allowed just one run, as the Tigers beat the Cardinals 5-1 in a non-conference matchup.

FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)

BOYS SWIMMING: Carthage wins Zizzer Invitational for 2nd straight year

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Jason Peake

WEST PLAINS, Mo. — The Carthage High School boys swimming team repeated as Zizzer Invitational champions on Saturday.

The Tigers compiled 406 points at the outdoor event, with host West Plains second (306) and Poplar Bluff third (276).

Rounding out the team standings were Monett (261), Camdenton (219), Hillcrest (167), Greenwood (166) and Parkview (23).

Braden McBride’s Tigers won four events.

Carthage’s 200-yard medley relay team of Kellen Frieling, Braxton McBride, Will Wright and Maveric Allphin took first with a meet record time of 2:01.06.

The Tigers were second in the 400 freestyle relay, as McBride, Wright, Frieling and Aydan Nye recorded a time of 4:02.

Wright won two individual events, the 200 IM with a time of 2:26 and the 400 freestyle in 4:47.

Frieling took first in the 100 backstroke in 1:05.

Frieling and Nye finished second and fourth, respectively, in the 200 freestyle. Nye was also the runner-up to his teammate in the 400 free.

Braxton McBride finished second in the 100 freestyle and also took fourth in the 50 freestyle, with Allphin sixth in the same event.

Also for the Tigers, Allphin and Dylan Evans finished fourth and fifth in the 100 breaststroke, Daryl Martin placed fifth in the 100 freestyle, Ben Rogers took sixth in the 400 free and Ryan Steinbach finished seventh in the 200 IM.

The team of Martin, Rogers, Nye and Allphin finished fifth in the 200 freestyle relay.

Also of note, Monett’s Jayden Apostol won the 100-yard breaststroke with a meet and pool record time of 1:15.58. Apostol was the runner-up in the 200 IM.

The Tigers will host the Carthage Relays on Tuesday at the Fair Acres Family YMCA.

VOLLEYBALL: Carl Junction opens season with tourney win

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Lucas Davis

NEVADA, Mo. — Carl Junction opened the season on a high note, sweeping its way to a Nevada Tournament win over the weekend.

The Bulldogs earned five wins, all in straight sets. Carl Junction defeated Neosho (25-17, 25-18), Clinton (25-16, 25-16), Clever (25-22, 25-14), Nevada (25-10, 25-12) and Harrisonville (25-18, 25-21).

“It was a solid start,” Carl Junction coach Cheryl Sharples said. “We were the best team there and played like the best team. We had some trouble with Clever at our jamboree and we did a nice job of adjusting to what they do well and taking care of business. It’s nice to have some success early and now we need to build on that and continue to get better everytime we step on the court.”

Kylie Scott led the way with 33 kills, four blocks, five aces and 16 digs, while Karissa Chase finished with 31 kills, five blocks and two aces. Aubreigh Fowler finished with 28 kills, two aces and two blocks, with Miya Carnes closing with 10 kills, 94 assists, eight aces, three blocks and 20 digs.

Also for the Bulldogs, DeShaye Buerge had eight blocks and seven kills, while Abigail Wilson had 11 aces and 25 digs. Jocelyn Wengert added four aces and 14 digs, withAcadia Badgley closing with 17 kills and five blocks. Sara Buchele had 15 digs and two aces, while Anna Lewis had 10 digs and an ace and Jadyn Howard had 10 digs, eight assists and four aces.

GIRLS TENNIS: Host Joplin earns one win at Interstate Championships, Carl Junction wins its bracket

Posted on August 27, 2023September 6, 2023 by Jason Peake

The host Joplin Eagles went 1-4 at the second annual Joplin Interstate Championships girls tennis tournament.

On Friday, Mexico defeated Joplin 5-2 and Lee’s Summit earned a 5-2 win over the Eagles.

On Saturday, Willow Springs defeated Joplin 5-3, while the Eagles earned a 6-2 win over Siloam Springs before a 5-1 setback to Bishop LeBlond concluded the two-day event.

Joplin’s loss to Bishop LeBlond came in the fifth-place match of the Futures Bracket.

In the victory over Siloam Springs, Joplin won four of five completed singles matches and two of the three doubles matches.

At No. 1 singles, Siloam Springs’ Maribel Riley defeated Joplin’s Mya Ndedi Ntepe 6-2.

Joplin’s Izzy Zamanzadeh defeated Isabella Anglin 6-3, Alex Carson beat Korbyn Briggs 6-3, Zayda Derganc topped Emma Fidler 6-3 and Gwenna Street defeated Ava Howie 6-2. Julia Reyes played No. 5 singles for the Eagles, but her match was not completed.

In doubles, Ndedi Ntepe and Carson defeated Riley-Anglin 6-3, while the duo of Zamanzadeh and Derganc beat Fidler-Matalie Pharr 6-1 and Lily Compton and Reyes suffered a 7-5 loss to Briggs-Howie.

CARL JUNCTION GOES 4-1, WINS BRACKET

Carl Junction’s girls tennis team went 4-1 and won their bracket at the Joplin Interstate Championships over the weekend.

On Friday, Lee’s Summit North defeated Carl Junction 5-2, but the Bulldogs defeated Edwardsville No. 2 (Illinois) 5-0.

On Saturday, Carl Junction defeated Rogersville 5-0, Willard 5-0 and Platte County 5-1.

The victory over Platte County gave Carl Junction the championship of the Challengers Bracket.

NOTES: The JIC featured 24 teams and matches were held at Joplin High School, Millennium Family Fitness and the Joplin Athletic Complex.

The top two teams of the Champions Bracket were Edwardsville No. 1 and Grain Valley.

Edwardsville No. 2 defeated Willow Springs 5-0 for the championship of the Futures Bracket.

BOYS SOCCER: Neosho opens season at Rolla Shootout

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Jason Peake

ROLLA, Mo. — The Neosho High School boys soccer team went 0-2 at the Rolla Shootout on Saturday.

In the first game of the 2023 season, Rolla defeated Neosho 4-1.

“We had some first game nervousness for sure but had some really good moments,” Neosho coach Steve Schnackenberg said. “We need to make those positive moments now for the entire 80 minutes. It was great to see the potential we have this season.”

Neosho’s goal was scored by Fabiani Ohajaca Casasola on a penalty kick.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Tribbey made five saves.

Rolla had nine shots on goal, while Neosho had seven shots on goal.

In the team’s second game, Hannibal defeated Neosho 3-0.

“It was a much better game,” Schnackenberg said. “We are still looking to gel together around our core players. We got to see some young and new players step up and earn some playing time.”

The Wildcats had five shots on goal but were unable to score. Hannibal had nine shots on goal.

Tribbey was credited with six saves.

Recording shots on goal for the Wildcats were Franklin Maldonado-Mendez, Ohajaca Casasola (2), Juan Blancarte and Santino Gomez Velasquez.

Neosho is at Branson on Tuesday. The Wildcats will host Webb City at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 5 in the home opener.

SOFTBALL: Webb City begins ’23 with two wins

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Jason Peake

ANDERSON, Mo. — In the first action of the 2023 season, the Webb City High School softball team earned a pair of non-conference victories on Saturday at McDonald County High School.

Webb City defeated Quapaw, Oklahoma, 11-1 in the day’s opener and the Cardinals knocked off host Mac County 11-7.

Against Quapaw, the Cardinals scored three runs in the first inning, four in the fourth and two apiece in the fifth and sixth innings.

Webb City recorded 12 hits. Abby Sargent went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Alex Maturino, Sidney Strickland, Dawsyn Decker and Riley Hanes all had two hits apiece. Maturino hit a pair of doubles, while Decker and Hanes tripled. Lily Hall, Maturino and Decker drove in two runs apiece.

Three Webb City pitchers limited Quapaw to one hit.

Laney Taylor was the winning pitcher. She went two innings in the circle, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two.

Kenzie Wynn tossed three scoreless innings, while Karsyn Cahoon pitched one inning, giving up one run.

In the win over the Mustangs, Webb City plated six runs in the first inning and added two in the second to take a comfortable 8-0 lead.

Down 9-1, McDonald County erupted for six runs in the bottom of the sixth, but the Cardinals added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh.

The Cardinals once again got the bats going in a big way with 11 hits against their district foe.

Kylee Sargent, Strickland and Decker had two hits apiece. Hanes homered and drove in two runs. Wynn and Strickland had two RBI, while Lily Hall, Maturino, Decker and Addi Brown contributed one RBI apiece.

Lia Taylor was the winning pitcher. She went five innings, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out three. Addie Burns and Wynn pitched in relief.

McDonald County’s Joslyn Royce allowed six runs on five hits, while Jaylee Brock gave up two earned runs on four hits and Dakota O’Brien surrendered two runs, both unearned, in one inning of work.

Carlee Cooper and O’Brien both homered for the Mustangs, while Kearston Hopkins drove in three runs on two hits.

In the day’s other game, McDonald County defeated Quapaw 12-2.

Webb City (2-0) hosts Nevada (3-1) at 4:30 on Monday.

SOFTBALL: Carthage wraps up play in Morrisville tourney

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Lucas Davis

MORRISVILLE, Mo. — Carthage opened the season with a 2-1 record in the Morrisville Softball Tournament over the weekend.

Carthage opened the season with a 6-2 win over Waynesville on Friday. The Tigers took an 11-1 loss against Republic before bouncing back with a 4-1 win over Cassville on Saturday.

Addie Wallace earned the win in the circle against Waynesville after allowing two runs on four hits, a walk and nine strikeouts in five innings.

Alexis Smith and Lexa Youngblood each had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run. Youngblood also tripled. Lottie Youngblood had a hit, an RBI and scored a run, while Shelby Hegwer and Aven Willis each had a hit and an RBI.

Wallace took the loss against Republic after allowing seven runs, six earned, on seven hits, a walk and a strikeout in two innings.

Jenna Calhoon doubled at the plate for the Tigers, while Smith, Lexa Youngblood and Willis all collected hits. Youngblood picked up an RBI.

In the finale against Cassville, Wallace earned the win after allowing one run on three hits, two walks and five strikeouts in four innings.

Brooklyn Dolon-Main had two hits and drove in a run, while Calhoon doubled and scored a run. Lexa Youngblood and Lottie Youngblood each had hits and drove in one, with Lexa also scoring a run.

Carthage hosts Camdenton on Monday.

SOFTBALL: Carl Junction, Joplin in action at Aurora tourney

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Lucas Davis

AURORA, Mo. — Joplin and Carl Junction kicked off its softball season in the Kickoff Classic softball tournament hosted by Aurora over the weekend.

CARL JUNCTION GOES 3-1

The Bulldogs started the season with a 3-1 record after beating Joplin 9-8 and Aurora 16-6 on Friday before falling to Branson 12-11 on Saturday and bouncing back with an 11-3 win over Hillcrest to close the Kickoff Classic.

In the victory over Joplin, CJ’s Kiley Spencer earned the win after allowing eight runs, six earned, on nine hits and a walk in six innings. Ava Wolf took the loss for the Eagles after allowing nine runs, eight earned, on 10 hits, five walks and five strikeouts in six innings.

At the plate, CJ’s Hannah Cantrell had two hits, scored and drove in one. Izzie Southern doubled on the way to two hits and two runs scored. Kinley Spindler also doubled and had two hits, scored once and drove in a run. Kadence Hunt hit a grand slam in the sixth inning.

For Joplin, Bailey Ledford had three hits, including a double, scored three runs and drove in a run, while Jadyn Pankow doubled and drove in three. Gracie Williamson also had a hit and drive in two.

Hannah Cole picked up the win against Aurora after allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits, two walks and strikeout in two innings. Ryleigh Palmer doubled twice on the way to four hits, three RBI and two runs scored. Southern and Cantrell each had three hits and combined four seven runs and three RBI.

Spencer was saddled with the loss against Branson to open Saturday’s play after allowing eight runs on 11 hits and two strikeouts. Spencer had two hits at the plate and scored twice. Madi Olds had two hits, two RBI and scored a run. Hunt homered and drove in three.

In the final game against the Hornets, Spencer earned the win after allowing three runs on four hits, three walks and eight strikeouts. Cantrell had two hits, including a triple, and scored three runs. Olds doubled, drove in three and scored a run. Georgia Arnold doubled, scored a run and drove in a run. Hunt had a hit, two RBI and two runs scored.

Carl Junction has its home opener against Cassville on Monday.

JOPLIN FINISHES 2-2

Joplin finished the Kickoff Classic with a 2-2 record, beating Aurora 18-11 in the opener before falling to Carl Junction in the nightcap on Friday. The Eagles finished 1-1 on Saturday with a 15-0 win against Hillcrest and a 12-3 defeat against Branson to close play on Saturday.

In the victory over the Houn’ Dawgs, Caelyn Bobski earned the win in the circle after allowing 11 runs, six earned, on 11 hits, four walks and a strikeout in five innings.

Bailey Ledford, Abby Lowery, Jadyn Pankow and Libby Munn all collected three hits apiece. Lowery doubled and homered and finished with five RBI and four runs scored. Pankow and Munn homered and had three RBI and two runs scored each. Ledford doubled and had three RBI and two runs scored. Gracie Williamson, who doubled, Lily Glover and Megan Meeker each had two hits. Williamson scored three times and drove in one, while Meeker scored once and drove in a run.

Bobski earned the three-inning win after pitching a no-hitter on four strikeouts and a walk. Ledford had three hits, scored twice and drove in two, while Ashley Phillips had two hits, two RBI and scored a run. Jadyn Pankow doubled, drove in three and scored twice and Riley Kelly had a hit, three RBI and scored a run. Maria Loum doubled, scored two runs and drove in two.

Ava Wolf took the loss against Branson after allowing 11 runs, three earned, on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings. Wolf added an RBI single at the plate, while Ledford had two hits and scored a run.

Joplin hosts Kickapoo on Monday at 4:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL: Carthage falls to Republic for first time

Posted on August 26, 2023 by Lucas Davis

REPUBLIC, Mo. — Carthage and Republic had met on the gridiron 15 times ahead of the 2023 campaign, and on all occasions, Carthage came away victorious.

Republic flipped the script on Friday night as it defeated Carthage 20-14 in the 2023 season and conference opener.

Republic also avenged its most recent loss, which came at the hands of Carthage to end its promising 2022 campaign in the district championship round.

Carthage, the Central Ozark Conference co-champ which went 11-2 and fell in the Class 5 semifinals last year, struggled to muster much offense with five returning starters on the offensive side of the ball.

“I thought we played hard and just well enough to win a game,” Carthage coach Jon Guidie said. “We couldn’t get out of our own way with field position, penalties and turnovers. Just a lot of mistakes that kept us from finishing drives and scoring. That can happen sometimes with inexperience.”

Even without returning starters, the visiting Tigers’ defense enjoyed a strong first half, in which Carthage enjoyed a 7-0 halftime lead.

But following the narrow deficit at the half, Republic rattled off 20 unanswered points in the second half to take a 20-7 lead, thanks in large part to James Rexroat, a Memphis commit, and Kanon Kroll, who tallied two touchdown runs and a strong second half.

“Our kids showed some great character in staying in the fight and giving ourselves an opportunity to win at the end,” Guidie said. “I’m proud of their effort.”

Carthage was yards away from knotting the score or winning the contest in the final minute of the contest. Quarterback Brady Carlton with receivers was unable to connect on third and fourth down from the 5-yard line as the waning seconds ticked off the clock.

Carlton scored on a 7-yard run to cut Republic’s lead to 20-14 with less than seven minutes in the fourth quarter. Also scoring for Carthage was Landyn Collins to break a scoreless deadlock on a short touchdown run on fourth and goal—30 seconds ahead of halftime to cap a four-play, 92-yard drive.

Republic’s Kroll scored his first touchdown from 15 yards out to make it 7-7 early in the third Then Daniel Phillips ripped a 35-yard run on a reverse to give Republic a touchdown lead with less than a minute left in the third.

Carthage has its home opener against Branson next Friday. Joplin beat Branson 35-14 in the opener.

FOOTBALL: Willard holds off Neosho to win opener

Posted on August 26, 2023August 28, 2023 by Lucas Davis

The Willard Tigers jumped out to an early lead and held off the Neosho Wildcats late to open the season with a 28-21 win on Friday night at Willard High School.

Willard struck first in the season opener as running back Gary Walker scored from 58 yards out with 8:47 to go in the first quarter running back for a 7-0 lead.

Neosho went three-and-out on their next possession, leaving the Tigers with excellent field position on their own 40 after the punt.

Just a few minutes later, a deep bomb on third down had the Tigers on the Wildcat 17.

With 5:29 to go in the first quarter, Tigers QB Russell Roweton hit a 17-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead.

After a slow-playing first half, the second half became a shootout as both offenses started to get into a rhythm.

Neosho notched its first score of the game when Boston Patterson picked off a pass and scored from 22 yards out for a pick-6 to cut the lead to 14-7 in favor of Willard.

On Neosho’s next possession, the Wildcats proceeded to use short passes to work up the field, setting up a 2-yard run for Denver Welch to tie it at 14-all with five minutes left in the third.

The Tigers answered by driving hard down the field to respond, and as the third quarter ended, had first and goal from the 7.

With 10:48 to go in the fourth, Roweton punched it in from 2 yards out to give the Tigers a 21-14 advantage.

The Wildcats responded with a spectacular fourth-down conversion and before ultimately using a second Welch rushing score, this time from 5 yards out with 7:08 to go in the game, to tie the game up at 21-21.

The Tigers fired back with a 13-yard touchdown from Walker with 4:09 left in the game to go on top 28-21.

Neosho used a personal foul penalty on the kickoff to take possession on the Willard 49 before using receptions from Welch and Tyrone Harris to set up a red zone trip. The Wildcats were stopped on fourth-down-and-2 with time dwindling to fall short.

FOOTBALL: Carl Junction falls to Ozark in Hafner’s debut

Posted on August 26, 2023 by Lucas Davis

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction opened the Todd Hafner era with a 42-22 defeat against Ozark on a Friday night with temperatures so high it forced the start time of the game at Bulldog Stadium to be pushed to 8 p.m.

The Bulldogs’ defense limited the Tigers to two scores in the first quarter and continued the strong play in the second half before the offense used a long passing play in the third quarter to cut the Ozark lead to one score. A Carl Junction turnover went for a Tigers’ touchdown late in the third to push the lead back two scores down the stretch. Ozark broke a big play early in the fourth to tip the scales.

Carl Junction RB Johnny Starks looks for rushing room in the loss to Ozark on Friday. Photo by Israel Perez.

Though the game ended with CJ on the wrong side, there were still plenty of positive takeaways from Coach Hafner and his staff.

“We’re always going to be proud of them,” Hafner said. “There is too much work that goes into this that they’ve done to never not be proud. I thought they gave us great effort … and gave it everything they had. I can’t be more proud of what they did tonight.

“It is one of those games where we have plenty of things we can clean up. But, we are not far off. We will watch the film. It’s the first year in a new system on both sides of the football and, really, I thought the kids executed well on all but two or three plays.”

Carl Junction (0-1) is back in action with its first road matchup of the season against Webb City (0-1) in Week 2.

Ozark forced a punt on its first defensive series before putting on a drive that ended with WR Sam Clark gaining a 33-yard through the air that set up a 2-yard touchdown from Jack Bowers for a 7-0 lead with six minutes left in the first quarter.

The Tigers were marching on their second drive when Ozark fumbled near the red zone with CJ senior LB Bentley Rowden falling on the ball for a forced turnover.

Carl Junction returned the favor on the ensuing drive, with the Bulldogs fumbling a pitch near midfield with Ozark taking over with the CJHS 34.

Ozark took advantage with sophomore QB Peyton Russell finding Kyle FItzpatrick for an 11-yard touchdown to make the score 14-0 late in the first half.

Carl Junction’s Marcus Lopez-Durman picks up a first down in the Bulldogs’ loss to Ozark in Week 1. Photo by Israel Perez.

Carl Junction found life offensively when Marcus Lopez-Durman picked up 50 yards on a rush to set up a short-yardage touchdown from senior QB Dexter Merrell to make the score 14-7 with less than 30 seconds to go in the first half.

Ozark got a big play from special teams just before the half, with Bowers taking the ensuing kickoff to the house for a touchdown with six seconds on the clock to send the Tigers into the intermission with a 20-7 lead.

“There were just some mental things (in this game),” Hafner said. “I think they got to the point where they were just so tired and they were doing their own thing. That is where you have to be extra mentally tough and not let your mind overrun your body.”

Carl Junction QB Dexter Merrell looks for room to run in the Bulldogs’ loss to Ozark on Friday. Photo by Israel Perez.

Carl Junction found the big play on offense on fourth-down-and-11 to get within one score of Ozark when Merrell stepped up in the pocket and hooked up with junior WR Max Goddard down the sideline for a 52-yard passing score with 3:38 to play to cut the Tigers’ lead to 20-14.

“I thought we executed offensively fairly well,” Hafner said. “We had the turnover, but I thought until we got down and had to start throwing it, we did a good job of staying balanced. I think we found out that we have some guys who can go get it and we have some guys who can carry the football. We just have to find a better way to mix it up when we’re calling plays.”

Unfortunately, the turnover bug bit Carl Junction on its next possession when Merrell was picked off by Clark deep in CJ territory, with Clark returning it to the end zone for a pick-6 to give Ozark a 28-14 lead late in the third quarter.

Ozark put the game away after Bowers ripped off a 42-yard rushing score on fourth down with 10 minutes left to play in the game for a 35-14 lead.

Bowers added another rushing score with 4:35 left to build the Ozark cushion.

Your online home for Joplin area sports coverage.