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BASEBALL: Darnell’s stellar outing leads Webb City past Carl Junction

By:
Jason Peake

WEBB CITY, Mo. — A masterful pitching performance from Kaylor Darnell and some timely hitting propelled Webb City to a 6-0 victory over Carl Junction on Tuesday in a Central Ozark Conference matchup at Chuck Barnes Field.

A senior right-hander, Darnell delivered a gem on the mound. 

A Missouri Southern signee, Darnell struck out 11, scattered five hits, walked two and hit one in 6 2/3 shutout innings before reaching his pitch count in the seventh inning.

“We’ll take 11 strikeouts any day,” Webb City coach Andrew Doennig said. “Kaylor definitely kept them down. He didn’t throw real well at the beginning of the game. I think he had 58 pitches through the first three innings. But then he started cruising. It was a great performance. He really settled down and found his fastball and he let his other stuff work for him, too.” 

Webb City senior right-hander Kaylor Darnell struck out 11 and tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings on Tuesday. Photo by Israel Perez.

Ending a three-game skid, Webb City hiked its record to 12-9 overall and 5-1 in the COC. 

Carl Junction slipped to 7-13 overall and 2-4 in conference action.

“We had 11 strikeouts and that was the name of the game,” Carl Junction coach Phil Cook said. “You can’t do that. They only out-hit us 7-5. I wonder what could have happened if we could just cut those strikeouts in half. We needed a hit in a key situation to get us going. 

“Kaylor threw a really good game,” Cook added. “I think he’s one of the better pitchers around the area. I know he’s a good kid and I wish him all the luck…except when he plays us. But he threw a great game tonight.”

In a clash between district rivals, the Cardinals pushed across two runs in the bottom of the first inning against Carl Junction starter Lucas Vanlanduit.

Junior second baseman Sam Weller reached on a dropped third strike to start the frame and senior shortstop Cy Darnell was hit by a pitch before junior catcher Shaun Hunt smacked a two-run double into right-center.

“It’s always nice if you can get on the scoreboard first,” Doennig said. “It was big getting two runs in the first inning like that.” 

With runners on the corners and just one out, the hosts had a golden opportunity for a big inning, but the Bulldogs used a double play and a fly out to avoid further damage in the first frame.

Webb City stranded the bases loaded in the third, as Vanlanduit induced an inning-ending pop-up off the bat of junior designated hitter Brett Korth to keep the game a two-run affair.

The Cardinals blew the game open with four runs in the fourth.

Senior left fielder William Hayes walked, went to second on a passed ball and sprinted home after a Carl Junction error after senior center fielder Gage Chapman laid down a bunt in front of the plate. 

Later in the frame, Chapman charged home after a CJ error following his stolen base attempt at third base. 

Webb City’s Kenley Hood stretches to secure the throw at first base against Carl Junction’s Logan Eck on Tuesday at Barnes Field. Photo by Israel Perez.

Next, Cy Darnell’s sac fly gave the Cardinals a five-run advantage. The hosts weren’t done, as junior third baseman Drew Vonder Haar tripled before senior first baseman Kenley Hood’s RBI single into left made it 6-0.

“We talk all the time about putting pressure on the other team’s defense,” Doennig said. “I thought we did a really good job of that. We ran a little bit, put pressure on them and it worked out for us.”

Carl Junction threatened with two outs in the sixth, as Vanlanduit was plunked before Logan Eck singled. But Darnell was able to retire Drew Massey on a pop fly in foul territory. 

The Bulldogs put two runners on in the seventh after a Webb City error and an infield single by Wyatt McAfee. Doennig was forced to pull Darnell with two outs due to the pitch count. 

Senior righty Walker Sweet took over on the hill and recorded the final out to secure the win. 

Hood went 2-for-4 for the Cardinals, while Hunt drove in two runs and Weller scored twice. 

Chapman had four of Webb City’s six stolen bases. The Cardinals also took advantage of three errors and several wild pitches and passed balls to take extra bags.

“We’ve tried to encourage guys to run, and we’ve got some guys who can really move,” Doennig said. “We took some chances and it worked out.” 

A Pittsburg State signee, the right-handed Vanlanduit took the loss after allowing three earned runs on seven hits, three hit batters and two walks. 

“Lucas threw well,” Cook said. “We just had a couple of innings where it got away from us. We had some miscues and you can’t do that against a good team.”

Senior Gaige Carson tossed two scoreless innings in relief for the Bulldogs.

A sophomore right fielder, McAfee had two of Carl Junction’s five hits. 

Both teams have COC home games on Thursday, as Carl Junction hosts Republic and Webb City entertains Ozark.

Cook noted his squad will look to bounce back on Thursday.

“We’re learning and we’re getting there,” Cook said. “With us, it’s been the same thing…we beat ourselves. We have to get away from that.”

Doennig’s Cardinals will look to continue their winning ways with Thursday’s COC home game. 

“I think we’re playing pretty well right now,” Doennig said. “I feel good about where we’re at. We’ve got some tough games coming up. It doesn’t get any easier for us, but I know our guys will be ready to play.”

 

Carl Junction first baseman Bentley Rowden is unable to haul in the throw at first base as Webb City’s Gage Chapman reaches safely. Webb City beat Carl Junction 6-0 in COC play. Photos by Israel Perez/SoMo Sports.

 

Webb City’s Gage Chapman steals a base against Carl Junction on Tuesday.

 

Carl Junction’s Lucas Vanlanduit delivers a pitch to the plate against Webb City on Tuesday.

 

Webb City’s Sam Weller takes a throw at second base against Carl Junction’s Cody Hollingsworth. All photos by Israel Perez.

 

FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)

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