WEBB CITY, Mo. — The McDonald County Mustangs set up an all-Big 8 district championship game with their 3-1 win over Webb City on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Class 4 District 7 softball tournament.
Nevaeh Dodson finished with 14 strikeouts and pitched a four-hitter, Jacie Frencken and Analisa Ramirez hit solo home runs, McDonald County played clean defense behind Dodson, and pinch runner Anissa Ramirez scored the go-ahead run with some heads-up baserunning.
McDonald County plays for a district title for the fifth consecutive season, and the Mustangs look for their first district title since 2019.
“It always feels good,” McDonald County coach Heath Alumbaugh said. “It’s where we want to be every year. I think we also understand how lucky we are to be there that many times. I’ll be honest, even talking to our girls right down there, I don’t think it’s a take it for granted we’re going to be there situation. I think we’ll be ready to go.”
The second-seeded Mustangs (22-9) take on top-seeded Nevada (23-11) for the crown at 5:30 on Thursday night. The Tigers prevailed 4-2 in eight innings during the previous meeting this season in late September.
“Great ballclub,” Alumbaugh said of the Tigers. “It’ll be a dogfight tomorrow. We’re looking forward to it.”
Nevada defeated Willard 6-5 in the first semifinal contest on Wednesday, winning on a walk-off bunt during a game when the two teams combined for over 30 hits.
Dodson started on fire in Wednesday’s nightcap and plowed through the Cardinals lineup with a perfect game and seven strikeouts after three innings.
Dodson also singled in the first and doubled in the third, but the Mustangs were unable to push across the first run.
Swinging on the first pitch in the Webb City fourth, freshman third baseman Kylee Sargent ended Dodson’s potential perfect game and no-hitter with a solo home run to left-center.
Freshman second baseman Lily Hall doubled next, but the Mustangs retired the side to maintain their 1-0 deficit.
Frencken, McDonald County’s all-time single-season leader in home runs, led off the fourth with a blast to left-center.
Dodson only allowed two more hits, both singles, over the final three innings. She struck out two in the first, two in the second, three in the third, two in the fourth, three in the fifth, one in the sixth, and one more in the seventh.
“She’s going to go out and compete her butt off in the circle to give us a chance,” Alumbaugh said. “If we give her some run support, we’ve always got a chance.”
The Mustangs surrendered only a single run over 14 innings in their district tournament wins against Webb City and Monett.
Senior left fielder Analisa Ramirez provided the Mustangs with a critical insurance run headed into the seventh.
“I tell you what, Analisa’s been getting hot here toward the end of the season,” Alumbaugh said. “The Carthage tournament, she goes double off the top of the wall. Starts the game (Wednesday) with a shot down the line. Knew it was coming… it just couldn’t have come in a better spot.”
Sophomore pinch-runner Anissa Ramirez scored the go-ahead run in the fifth, taking advantage of a Webb City throwing error with two outs.
“We talk about it all the time,” Alumbaugh said. “All three phases of the game. Throw strikes, play defense, and timely hitting, but baserunning as well. That’s heads-up baserunning by Anissa Ramirez, the little sister. She comes on in that spot and never even slowed down turning the corner. She knew what was going on, and that was a big run.”
McDonald County defeated Webb City also by a 3-1 score only nine days before.
The Cardinals finish their season 17-20 overall and they are in the rare position of not graduating a single player and possibly returning their entire roster for next season.
“We had a repeat from last Monday night,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said. “We were hoping to come out on top this time. We knew that we could compete with Mac County based on how we played last Monday, and we did compete. I’m incredibly proud of this team. They’ve grown a lot this season.
“I mean, I know they’re down and upset right now but I don’t think they realize how much potential they do have in the coming years from being so young and getting so much experience as a young team.”
NEVADA 6, WILLARD 5
With the game deadlocked in the bottom of the seventh inning, Nevada’s Kara Phillips reached on an error with one out to start the late-game rally.
Phillips went to third on a passed ball before Teresa Dawn was hit by a pitch and Kaleiah Johnson was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Next, Caiden Blake laid down a squeeze bunt and Phillips scored the winning run.
Kirstin Buck went 3-for-4 for Nevada, while Caylee Holcomb, Skyler Burns, Peyton Eaton and Phillips recorded two hits apiece.
Eaton was the winning pitcher. She allowed four earned runs and 18 hits in seven innings.
Willard’s Abigail McMillin took the loss after allowing five earned runs on 14 hits.
WEBB CITY VS. MCDONALD COUNTY STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)
