NIXA, Mo. — Class 6 second-ranked Nixa and Joplin took a 1-1 pitcher’s duel into the last of the seventh inning before Rylan Michel ripped a 3-2 pitch off the scoreboard in left field for a three-run walk-off home run to send Nixa to a 4-1 win in district and Central Ozark Conference action on Thursday.
Masen Eagleburger led off the bottom of the seventh with an infield hit before Sam Russo singled with one out two batters later to put runners at the corners for Nixa (18-1, 4-0 COC). Russo moved to second later on a stolen base on the first pitch of Michel’s at-bat to set up the home run.
While the loss against Nixa is the first against a conference foe this season for Joplin (9-9, 4-1 COC), it is also the first against state ranked opponents with three previous wins coming against Springfield Catholic, Webb City and Branson. Joplin continues to navigate state ranked teams on its schedule with a home COC matchup against Class 6 eighth-ranked Kickapoo, also a district game, on Monday at the JHS Athletic Complex.
ON THE MOUND
Hardy Dougan earned the complete-game win after limiting Joplin to one run on five hits, one walk and six strikeouts on 106 pitches in seven innings of work.
Ethan Guilford took the tough-luck loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits, three walks and three strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
GAME ACTION
Joplin took the initial lead with a two-out run in the top of the second inning after Byler Reither singled up the middle off of Dougan’s glove and into center field to bring home Tyler Duley, who was courtesy running for Tyler Schumann.
Guilford worked around traffic in the third, fourth and fifth innings to keep the shutout intact through the first five frames. Nixa stranded two runners in the third, the bases loaded in the fourth and Guilford induced a 4-6-3 double play in the fifth with runners on first and second and one out in the inning.
Nixa led the sixth inning off with a single by Jack Edwards before courtesy runner Alex Thomason was called out and ejected for interference at second base after colliding with Bodee Carlson on a throw to the second-base bag in an attempt to break up a double play on a fielder’s choice groundout by Tanner Grant. With two outs in the inning, John Gholson followed with a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1.
AT THE PLATE
Russo had two hits and scored a run, while Gholson and Michel homered. Michel had three RBI and scored a run, while Gholson had one RBI and scored once.
Reither had two hits and an RBI to lead Joplin. Kyler Stokes, Schumann and Carlson also recorded base hits.
