NEOSHO 4, CARTHAGE 3 (12 INNINGS)
NEOSHO, Mo. — Autumn Kinnaird hit the game-winning single to center in the bottom of the 12th inning to give Neosho a thrilling 4-3 victory over Carthage on Tuesday in the Central Ozark Conference finale for both teams.
The Wildcats led 3-1 when the Tigers plated two runs in the sixth inning.
Neither team scored until the hosts ended the game in the 12th.
Grace Johnson started the bottom half of the 12th with a single to right before Baylie Bowers reached on a bunt single.
On a 2-2 count, Autumn Kinnaird drove in the game-winning run with a single.
Autumn Kinnaird went 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Beclynn Garrett, McKaylie Forrest and Johnson contributed two hits apiece.
A shortstop, Beclynn Garrett doubled and drove in a run. A second baseman, Johnson scored twice.
Chloe Patterson went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out three.
Carleigh Kinnaird was the winning pitcher. She tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out 11 and giving up just one hit.
Carthage’s Ashlynn Jackson was charged with the loss. She allowed four runs, two earned, on 11 hits in 11 innings. Jackson struck out five.
Jenna Calhoon had three hits for the Tigers, while Lexa Youngblood and Jackson had two hits apiece.
Brooklyn Dolon-Main, Calhoon and Jackson drove in runs.
Neosho is now 21-4 overall and the Wildcats went 7-2 in conference play, good for second place.
Carthage fell to 16-13. The Tigers went 4-5 in the COC.
Carthage is hosting its annual softball tourney this weekend.
Neosho will compete at the Rolla Tournament this weekend.
WILLARD 7, CARL JUNCTION 2
WILLARD, Mo. — The game was tied after three innings, but Willard scored five unanswered runs to earn the Central Ozark Conference victory over the Bulldogs.
Willard improved to 14-14 and finished 5-4 in the COC. Carl Junction fell to 9-16. The Bulldogs went 1-8 in conference action.
Hannah Cole took the loss after allowing six earned runs on 12 hits in six innings.
Carl Junction’s Hannah Cantrell, Sammie Sims and Georgia Arnold had two hits apiece. Both of Sims’ hits were doubles.
Madi Olds and Sims had the lone RBI for the Bulldogs.
Willard’s Abigail McMillin earned the win. She struck out six and scattered seven hits in seven innings.
Alyson Miller went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI to lead the Tigers.
Carl Junction hosts Nevada on Wednesday.
