BRANSON, Mo. — Webb City plated four runs in the final two innings to earn a 5-3 come-from-behind win over Branson on Thursday in a Central Ozark Conference clash at Pirate Park.
The Cardinals trailed 3-1 when they rallied for two runs apiece in both the sixth and seventh innings, avenging an early-season loss to the Pirates in the process.
Receiving votes in the Class 5 poll, Webb City got back to .500 at 10-10 overall and the Cardinals are now 3-2 in the COC.
No. 7 Branson fell to 12-7 overall and 0-5 in the COC.
The Cardinals pushed across a single tally in the first, as Cy Darnell tripled to right-center and later scored on a fielder’s choice.
The Pirates plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth. After a hit by pitch and a walk, the tying run scored after a fielder’s choice and an error. Next, Carter Jenkins connected for a two-run home run to left, giving Branson a two-run advantage.
The Cardinals tied it up with two runs in the sixth. Kenley Hood singled and Jeremiah Leaming reached on an error. After two outs, Cade Wilson singled to right. An error on the throw back in allowed a run to score.
Next, the Pirates failed to corral Kolton Eilenstein’s grounder, and the game was deadlocked at three after Branson’s third error of the frame.
Webb City took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. Eric Fitch and Cy Darnell both singled before a balk moved the runners to second and third.
Next, McQuade Eilenstein smacked a go-ahead, two-run double to the fence in left field, giving the Cardinals a 5-3 lead.
Branson put two runners on-base in the bottom of the seventh, but Webb City reliever Walker Sweet retired the side.
Kaylor Darnell started for the Cardinals. He went five innings and allowed no earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out six.
Sweet fanned three and gave up one hit in two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win.
The Cardinals recorded nine hits. Cy Darnell and Hood had two hits apiece.
Collin Ross started for Branson and allowed one earned runs on five hits in five innings. Andrew Bristow was charged with the loss after allowing two earned runs on four hits in two innings.
Webb City will take on a pair of state-ranked Class 6 teams on Saturday in St. Charles — No. 10 Francis Howell and No. 5 Rock Bridge.
