WEBB CITY, Mo. — Treghan Parker’s three-run blast put an exclamation point on a stellar comeback for the Webb City Cardinals.
Overcoming a six-run deficit by scoring 10 runs over two innings, Webb City earned an 11-8 come-from-behind win over Republic in a LAEL Leadoff Classic matchup on a windy Monday afternoon at Chuck Barnes Field.
“It was good to see our guys stick with it,” Webb City coach Flave Darnell said of his team’s comeback. “Top to bottom, it was a good team win.”
The Cardinals, who improved to 2-0, trailed 7-1 before rallying for four runs in the fourth and six more in the fifth.
“It shows a lot about us,” Parker said. “It shows that we’re mentally tough enough to come back. The dugout was a big portion of it…they stayed up all game. It was great to see us finally getting the swings we want. Everybody’s getting comfortable. It was just great to see.”
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Ryker Harrington’s two-run home run to right field.
The Cardinals got a run back in the bottom half when Devrin Weathers singled and later scored on Shane Noel’s RBI single up the middle.
But the Tigers scored three runs in the third and two more in the fourth to take a 7-1 lead.
The Cardinals finally got the bats going in the bottom of the fourth.
During the inning, Eli Goddard delivered a run-scoring single, Eric Fitch doubled to left before Weathers followed with a two-run single to center on a 3-2 pitch, trimming Webb City’s deficit to 7-4.
Parker then singled to center, putting runners on the corners. A run scored on a balk before the Tigers got out of the inning.
Webb City reliever Cooper Crouch kept the Tigers scoreless in the top of the fifth.
“I thought it was big when we got four and then put up a zero in the fifth,” Darnell said. “That was huge.”
The hosts took the lead for good by erupting for six runs in the bottom half of the fifth.
And everyone got into the act. Noel was hit by a pitch and Cole Gayman lined an RBI double to center.
Pinch hitter Cy Darnell then bunted, but Republic’s Harrington committed a throwing error, allowing Gayman to score the game-tying run.
After Goddard sacrificed, sending Darnell to third, pinch hitter Kaylor Darnell hit a go-ahead, run-scoring single through the right side, giving the Cardinals an 8-7 advantage.
Fitch singled and Weathers was retired, bringing up Parker.
With a 1-1 count, the Missouri Southern recruit launched a fastball over the fence in right field. The home run put the finishing touches on the big inning.
“I knew he was going to have to come in,” said Parker, a senior shortstop who went 3-for-4 at the plate. “I’d already given myself up on a curveball, but he didn’t throw it for a strike. I was sitting dead red on a fastball. I put a good swing on it and watched it fly.”
The Tigers got a run back in the sixth, but the visitors failed to score in the seventh, as the Cardinals ended the game with a 4-3 double play, as Fitch fielded a grounder, stepped on second and fired a throw to first.
The Cardinals had 13 hits in the game. Parker had three hits, while Weathers, Noel and Fitch all had two hits apiece. Eight different players had hits for Webb City.
“Treghan’s been a little antsy in the box, but he settled down and got some really big hits,” Darnell said. “Devrin got some big hits, Eric Fitch came up with some big hits. Eli Goddard came up with a big hit. We feel good about a lot of our guys. We feel like we have a chance when we turn the lineup over.”
Senior right-hander Noah Mitchell started and allowed six earned runs on nine hits in three innings.
“We preach, ‘Throw strikes and get the ball over the plate,'” Darnell said. “Noah did what we asked him to do, they just took advantage of it. We know Noah will come back and be a good pitcher for us. Republic can swing it. They hit the ball well.”
A junior righty, Crouch was the winning pitcher. He gave up one earned run in two innings. Noel tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
“Cooper did a good job of coming in and keeping them at bay,” Darnell said. “And Shane did a great job coming in.”
Republic’s Harrington took the loss after surrendering six runs, three earned, on four hits in one inning. Richard Potter had three hits for the Tigers (0-2).
The Cardinals continue LAEL Leadoff Classic play with a game at Branson at 4:30 on Tuesday.
