BOLIVAR, Mo. — Kohl Cooper doubled with one out in the eighth inning and came around later in the inning to score on a passed ball to send Joplin past Bolivar 2-1 in eight innings in the regular season finale on Thursday.
The Eagles (18-10) took the early lead with a run in the second inning before the Liberators (12-8) added a single tally in the third to tie the game. Cooper’s run in the eighth broke a four-inning scoreless streak between both teams.
Josh Harryman earned the win in relief for Joplin, pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing one hit while striking out two. Fielding Campbell started and took a no-decision after allowing one run on four hits, two walks and six strikeouts in four innings. Cooper pitched 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings, allowing one hit, walking two and striking out five.
Ryan Hadank took the loss in relief after allowing one unearned run on one hit, three walks and four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Cooper Cribbs started and took a no-decision after allowing one run on six hits, a walk and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
David Fiscus, who also had a double, put Joplin on the board in the second inning with a one-out solo home run to left field. Justin McReynolds went 2-for-3 with a walk.
Fifth-seeded Joplin takes on fourth-seeded Lebanon (18-7) in the first round of the Class 6 District 6 tournament with a 1:30 p.m. matchup on Monday at Springfield Central.
