WEBB CITY, Mo. — Top-seeded Webb City rode a pair of big innings to a convincing 14-2 run-rule win over fourth-seeded McDonald County on Wednesday in a semifinal contest of the MSHSAA Class 5 District 6 baseball tournament at Chuck Barnes Field.
The Cardinals will host third-seeded Glendale at 1 on Saturday in the district championship game.
“Playing for a district championship is a testament to our guys,” Webb City coach Flave Darnell said. “They work hard and they practice hard and this is exactly where we want to be. It’s just a testament to our guys.”
Down 2-0 early, Webb City erupted for 14 unanswered runs.
Jump-started by playing small ball, the Cardinals went ahead for good with a five-run second inning. After adding three runs in the third, Webb City blew the game open with a six-run fourth.
“We played good defense, we got some big hits when we needed them and we bunted really well,” Darnell said.
McDonald County plated two runs in the top of the second, as Weston Gordon and Destyn Dowd both singled before an error allowed the first run to cross the plate.
Ethan Lett delivered an RBI groundout later in the inning to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
“A few things didn’t go our way in the top of the second inning, but we were able to overcome that,” Darnell said. “It was really important for us to get at least one run back there in the bottom of the inning. And we got five.”
Webb City played small ball to get things started in the bottom half of the second.
Matt Woodmansee singled to center before Cole Gayman reached on a bunt single and Aidan Brock bunted and reached on an error to load the bases.
Cade Wilson smacked a two-run double into left-center.
After an out, Eric Fitch bunted and two runs crossed home after a pair of McDonald County errors.
“That’s something we practice a lot,” Darnell said of moving runners over with bunts. “We have a lot of guys who run well. We practice bunting a lot and moving the ball. We want to put pressure on the defense and we were able to do that tonight.”
Devrin Weathers drove in the final run of the frame on a groundout.
After a nifty 1-6-3 double play ended the top of the third, Webb City extended its lead in the bottom half.
Shane Noel singled and stole second. He came home when Woodmansee reached on a bunt.
After two walks, Wilson recorded an RBI groundout. Pinch runner Gage Chapman later scored on a wild pitch, giving the Cardinals an 8-2 advantage.
The hosts scored six runs in the fourth.
Weathers, Treghan Parker and Noel all walked to start the big inning. Two runs scored on an error.
Gayman followed with a run-scoring single to center and Brock’s two-run double to right made it 13-2.
The final tally came home after a Fitch single and a McDonald County miscue in the field.
“We got the bats going in that inning,” Darnell said. “The kid they brought in throws hard and he’s tough to handle. But we were able to get some guys on and we got some big hits.”
Woodmansee went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and three RBI. Gayman had two hits, while Wilson drove in three. Brock had two RBI and scored twice, while Noel and Chapman each scored a pair of runs.
A junior right-hander, Fitch started on the mound for the Cardinals and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in two innings.
“Eric competed hard for two innings,” Darnell said. “He’s been great all year. He’s been battling an injury a little bit this week. He gave us two innings, so he’s still fresh. I think all of our pitchers will be available on Saturday.”
Gayman tossed two scoreless innings in relief before hard-throwing junior right-hander Cooper Crouch struck out the side in the fifth.
Gordon and Dowd had the lone hits for the Mustangs.
McDonald County’s Ethan Francisco was charged with the loss. A senior southpaw, Francisco gave up four earned runs on five hits and struck out two in two innings. Rylee Boyd surrendered four earned runs on three hits and three walks in two frames.
The Mustangs committed six errors in the field.
Kevin Burgi’s Mustangs end the season with a record of 15-14.
Glendale knocked off second-seeded Carl Junction 8-0 in the other semifinal.
Ranked second in Class 5 by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, Webb City (26-5) is riding a 12-game winning streak into the district title game.
Asked about his team’s mindset heading into a district title game, Darnell said it’s simple.
“Survive and advance,” he said.
