KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After suffering a loss for the first time in 2020, the Webb City Cardinals rebounded nicely later in the day by winning the third-place game of the Winnetonka Softball Tournament on Saturday.
Webb City defeated Staley 8-5 to end the two-day tourney on a high note.
The Cardinals, who lost to Liberty North 11-7 in Saturday’s semifinals, are now 14-1.
In the third-place game, Staley led 4-1 when Webb City scored seven unanswered runs, with three in the third, one in the fifth and three more in the sixth. The Falcons got a run back in the top of the seventh before the Cardinals recorded the final out.
Webb City senior Haidyn Berry earned the win in the circle after allowing just one earned run. She struck out six, scattered six hits and walked one.
Alyssa Jennings and Hannah Wells led Webb City’s offense, as both players drove in three runs on two hits. Jennings hit two home runs, while Emalee Lamar also homered for Shauna Friend’s Cardinals.
Emma Welch, Kaylyn Gilbert and Berry all contributed two hits apiece. Berry drove in two runs, while Gilbert scored twice.
Staley’s Hailey Herman took the loss. She gave up eight runs, all earned, on 12 hits. She struck out three and walked four.
Haili Klusman hit a two-run home run for the Falcons.
LIBERTY NORTH 11, WEBB CITY 7
After 13 straight wins to start the fall campaign, the Cardinals fell for the first time.
Liberty North plated four runs in both the third and sixth innings en route to victory. The Cardinals rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth, but it wasn’t enough.
Jennings went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Welch, Lamar and Shae’lee Key had two hits apiece. Welch and Wells drove in two runs apiece, while Lamar homered. Peyton Hawkins, Gilbert and Lamar each had one RBI.
Berry gave up seven earned runs on 13 hits in her first loss, striking out three and walking two.
Katie Chester went 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored for Liberty North. Kiana McDowell was the winning pitcher. She allowed 12 hits and six earned runs.
NOTES: Rock Bridge beat Liberty North 11-0 in the tourney’s championship game.
Webb City hosts Carl Junction at 4:30 on Tuesday.
