WEBB CITY, Mo. — For the second straight game, the Webb City Cardinals came up one run short.
The Cardinals rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Branson Pirates held on for a 5-4 non-conference prep baseball victory over the hosts on a chilly and wet Tuesday at Chuck Barnes Field.
The setback came after Webb City suffered a 7-6 loss to Logan-Rogersville on Saturday in the season opener.
The two teams managed just five hits apiece, as offense was at a premium.
The Cardinals manufactured a run in the bottom of the third inning. William Hayes and Gavin Stowell both walked before Cade Wilson reached on a bunt single.
Eric Fitch followed with a sacrifice fly into right field, allowing Hayes to score the game’s first run.
The Pirates plated four runs on three hits, three walks and a hit batter in the top of the fourth. Webb City stranded two in the bottom half of the fourth.
Branson added a single tally in the sixth on Carter Jenkins’ RBI single for a 5-1 lead.
For most of the game, the Cardinals failed to generate any offense against Branson starting pitcher Kale Lankton.
A crafty junior southpaw who has committed to Evangel, Lankton limited the Cardinals to just three hits and struck out five in 6 1/3 innings.
However, the Cardinals chased Lankton with one out in the bottom of the seventh after McQuade Eilenstein drew a walk and Wilson doubled.
Branson reliever James Ryan Houston took over on the mound, and a wild pitch allowed pinch runner Kolton Eilenstein to score.
After Fitch walked, Aidan Brock and Kenley Hood both delivered run-scoring singles, cutting Branson’s lead to 5-4. But the Cardinals were unable to tie it up, as Houston was able to retire the side.
Stowell took the loss for Webb City. A senior left-hander, Stowell went 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on two hits and six walks with five strikeouts.
Kaylor Darnell and Walker Sweet pitched in relief. Darnell went 1 1/3 innings, allowing one run and striking out three. Sweet tossed two scoreless innings, striking out six.
A senior outfielder, Wilson had two of Webb City’s five hits.
Now under the direction of former Joplin coach Kirk Harryman, the Pirates improved to 4-0.
Andrew Bristow went 2-for-3 for the Pirates, while Collin Ross drove in two runs.
Webb City (0-2) plays Kickapoo at 7:30 on Thursday at the Willard Tournament.
DISTRICT ASSIGNMENT
Webb City has been assigned to Class 5 District 7.
Other teams in District 7 are Carl Junction, Grandview, McDonald County, Neosho, Pembroke Hill, Raytown South and Ruskin.
FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)
