BRANSON 9, JOPLIN 0
Despite a 9-0 loss to the Branson Pirates on Thursday, Joplin coach Aaron Stump was pleased with his team’s effort against a solid, experienced squad.
“Branson has a lot of depth and experience on their varsity team,” Stump said. “They had juniors playing at No. 1 and No. 6, with the rest of the group filled with seniors. We are a younger group. They show promise and will continue to improve as they gain match experience.”
At No. 1 doubles, Branson’s Nathan Bartram and Garrett Beckham defeated Joseph Graham and Adam Badr 8-2.
“Joe and Adam won two games early in their doubles match, but Branson gained momentum after that,” Stump commented.
Joplin’s Michael Mancipe and Hunter Merkley suffered an 8-1 loss to William Stark and John Dawson at No. 2 doubles.
“The wind made it difficult for Michael and Hunter to land lob shots, and Branson did a nice job covering the net,” Stump said.
At No. 3 doubles, Branson’s Joshua Bartram and Wyatt Carlson defeated Josiah Hazlewood and Aidan Kester 8-0.
In singles action, Nathan Bartram beat Graham 8-1, Stark topped Badr 8-0, Beckham defeated Mancipe 8-1, Joshua Bartram topped Hazlewood 8-0, Carlson beat Merkley 8-0 and Dawson defeated Kester 8-1.
REPUBLIC 9, CARL JUNCTION 0
In doubles matches, Republic’s Braden Snyder-Chase Elder defeated Blaine Wilkerson-Dan Hodson 8-2, while Markus Mitchell-Curtis Fair beat Ben Morey-Will Russel 8-0 and Cooper Davis-Jonathan Cole defeated Cameron Ball-Jayden Wolf 8-0.
In singles matches, CJ’s Wilkerson suffered an 8-2 loss to Snyder and Hodson lost to Elder, 8-4. Republic’s Mitchell topped Morey 8-2, Fair beat Russel 8-0, Bryce Martin defeated Ball 8-1 and Davis defeated Wolf 8-0.
WILLARD 9, NEOSHO 0
In doubles, Willard’s Caden Lingenfelser-Dawson Amstutz defeated Christian Williams-Ryno Lee 6-0, while Alex Crawford-Brigham Thedell beat Chandler Weber-Peyton Williams 6-0 and Seth Miller-Parker Solum defeated Jacob Leibham-Wesley Williams 6-0.
Willard also swept all six singles matches.
Neosho’s Christian Williams and Lee both fell 8-0, while Weber, Peyton Williams, Leibham and Wesley Williams all suffered 8-1 losses.
NOTE: Joplin, Carl Junction and Neosho will be among the teams competing at the Thomas Jefferson Invitational on Friday.
