NEOSHO, Mo. — Fifth-ranked and second-seeded Carl Junction stranded a handful of runners on base through the first three innings before a five-run fourth inning propelled the Bulldogs to a 6-1 win over seventh-seeded Neosho in the opening round of the Class 5 District 6 tournament, which was moved from CJ to Roy B. Shaver Field because of inclement weather the last several days.
“This stage in the season, the goal is to go 1-0 after every game you play,” Carl Junction coach Jake Stevenson said. “There was some adversity that we faced in that game. It was the fourth time we faced Neosho, so we knew we would be getting their best. … In the end, we were able to stay the course. Our starting pitching really helped us stay in the game and offensively, it eventually came around.”
Carl Junction stranded two runners in the first inning, left the bases loaded in the second and stranded another runner in scoring position in the third.
The Bulldogs (18-9) broke through with their first run on the scoreboard when Kyler Perry, who singled to lead off the inning, scored on a wild pitch in the last of the fourth. Drew Beyer drove home a run with a single to left field to push the lead to two runs. Cole Stewart scored on a wild pitch later in the inning and Dylan Eck reached on an infield hit to the hole on the right side that scored two runs to extend the lead to 5-0.
“That was huge,” Stevenson said. “If the momentum continued to slide in the other direction, you don’t know how that game plays out. We were able to grab some momentum that inning with five spot.”
Alex Baker added an insurance run with an RBI single to left-center field in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 6-0.
River Brill picked up the lone Neosho RBI on a groundout in the seventh to score Eli Zar, who singled to lead off the inning.
Neosho wraps the season with a 4-23 record and graduate seniors Chase Flynn, Trace Wilson, Ryan Cargile, Lane Ebbinghaus, Wyatt Keplar, Brett Slavens and Karson Thomas.
“This was the second group I’ve had for four years in the program,” Neosho coach Danny Powers said. “Most of them played with me all the way through. They know the game very well. They were great at helping the underclassmen learn the ropes. I am very appreciative of them.”
END OF AN ERA
The loss for Neosho was also the last game for Danny Powers as the Wildcats’ head coach. Powers, who accepted an administration role as the athletic director for Purdy High School, was at the helm of the Neosho program for six seasons.
“I am proud of my time here,” Powers said. “I feel like our kids play the game the right way. We’re respectful and play hard. Ultimately, that is going to pay off for them.”
“I have been through two different athletic directors, two principals and two superintendents, but they’ve all been extremely supportive of me and their student-athletes here,” Powers added about his time at Neosho. “Getting the new facilities out here for baseball, and softball next year, the end zone facility and the performing arts studio, it just shows you the community is supportive of the school district. It’s been a pleasure. I am going to miss it. I have formed a lot of close relationships with the faculty, staff and students here. I just felt like it was probably time for me to take a step away and spend some more time with my family … and make that transition from coaching and teaching to administration.”
ON THE MOUND
Baker started and earned the win for the Bulldogs after pitching five innings of scoreless baseball. He scattered two hits, walked three and struck out three.
“He did a really nice job,” Stevenson said. “Alex is a guy for us. We feel like we have a couple of those, but he threw really well today. I am happy for him.”
Eck pitched 1 2/3 relief innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits, a walk and two strikeouts, while Carson Johnson pitched a perfect 1/3 of an inning.
Making his final start of his high school career, Keplar was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs, four earned, on three hits, six walks and eight strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.
“He threw well,” Powers said. “Unfortunately, this has kind of been his story this season. He threw well but just got his pitch count too high.”
Austin Rodriguez allowed one run on three hits, two walks and a strikeout in 1 1/3 innings, while Carter Fenske pitched one relief inning and allowed one hit and no runs for the Wildcats.
IN THE BOX
Beyer led the Bulldogs with three hits, an RBI and two runs scored, while Eck had one hit and two RBI. Baker had a single, walked and drove in one. Dalton Mills doubled.
Keplar, Lane Yost and Wyatt Shadwick each had a hit and a walk for Neosho. Zar had a base hit and scored a run, while Brill walked and had one RBI.
UP NEXT
Second-seeded Carl Junction hosts third-seeded Glendale (18-11) at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
