KEARNEY, Mo. — The Webb City Cardinals improved to 15-9 overall on the season and extended their winning streak to four games with a pair of wins Saturday, as they defeated Battle 4-3 and host and seventh-ranked in Class 5 Kearney 8-5.
The host Bulldogs entered their game against Webb City with an eight-game winning streak, including their 7-4 win over Battle in the opening game of the day Saturday, but the Cardinals played spoiler on nine straight.
Webb City found itself in a 5-1 hole after Kearney pushed across one in the first and four in the second, but the Cardinals responded in a decisive fashion and closed out the scoring with seven in the third.
Gage Chapman singled to left to start Webb City’s big inning, Sam Weller sacrificed and reached on an error, and Cy Darnell loaded the bases on a bunt single.
Chapman scored on an error, Weller scored on a sacrifice fly by Shaun Hunt, and Darnell scored on another Kearney error that allowed Kaylor Darnell to reach first.
William Hayes put Webb City ahead 6-5 with a two-run double that scored Payton Marshall and Kaylor Darnell, then Hayes scored on a Kearney error and Chapman finished the game’s scoring in style with an RBI triple bringing home Landon Johnson.
Chapman led Webb City’s eight-hit attack with two, both of which came in the third, and Weller, Cy Darnell, Hunt, Drew Vonder Haar, Kaylor Darnell, and Hayes each had one hit.
Hayes drove in two runs and Chapman, Hunt, and Vonder Haar each picked up RBI, while Weller scored two runs and Cy Darnell, Kaylor Darnell, Hayes, Johnson, Chapman, and Marshall each scored one.
Vonder Haar earned the win and he allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits with one strikeout and four walks over his five innings.
Walker Sweet pitched two scoreless innings of relief and he allowed two hits and finished with five strikeouts and no walks.
Webb City scored six unearned runs against Kearney starter Brycen Morrison, and the Cardinals overcame four errors of their own in their 8-5 win.
Webb City and Battle did all their scoring early during their game, as well, with the Cardinals erasing a 3-2 deficit with two runs in the third.
Marshall and Chapman proved to be a major part of the story against Battle, as they combined to pitch four scoreless innings of relief after starter Luke Beverlin lasted three innings and gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
Not only did Marshall and Chapman pitch four scoreless, neither pitcher allowed a hit nor walked a Battle hitter during their 41 combined pitches.
Marshall pitched three scoreless and earned the win with two strikeouts and Chapman pitched a scoreless seventh with two strikeouts.
The Cardinals started promisingly offensively against Battle, as Weller hit a leadoff triple on the first offering from Battle starter Raye Kennon and Cy Darnell doubled Weller home seven pitches later for a quick 1-0 lead for Webb City.
Down 2-1, Webb City tied it up in the second when Hayes singled to left, stole second, and scored on a Johnson RBI single.
Cy Darnell led off the Cardinal third with a single, stole second, and scored on an error that also allowed Hunt to reach first. Vonder Haar scored courtesy runner Eli Miller on a single.
Webb City returns home for Senior Night on Tuesday against conference and county rival Joplin, as the Cardinals will attempt to honor their large senior class of players with their fifth straight win overall that would improve them to 16-9 overall and 7-1 in the Central Ozark Conference with only Willard remaining on Thursday.
