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PREP SOFTBALL: Elder dominates in the circle as seven-run fourth inning leads Carthage past Joplin

By:
Lucas Davis

Carthage starting pitcher Jensyn Elder dazzled in the circle while the Tigers’ offense broke open a scoreless game by crossing home plate seven times in the top of the fourth inning on the way to an 8-0 road win over Joplin on Tuesday in Central Ozark Conference action.

After three scoreless innings, the Tigers (9-10, 2-1 COC) plated seven runs on two hits, three walks, a hit-by-pitch and two errors to take a commanding lead. The Eagles (7-7, 0-3 COC) were never able to recover before the final out was made. 

“I think right now we are 2-1 in the conference after losing the other night against Nixa and this gets us rolling,” Carthage coach Stephanie Ray said. “We have a big game against Mac County (on Wednesday) and then we roll right into another COC and district opponent in Republic. I think this was a game to get us rolling with energy for the rest of the week.”

Carthage’s Landry Cochran connects for one of her two doubles in the Tigers’ win over Joplin on Tuesday at the JHS Athletic Complex. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

IN THE CIRCLE

Elder earned the complete-game win for Carthage after striking out 14 in seven scoreless innings on three hits and no walks. 

“She steps on the rubber ready to go every time and just gets in a groove,” Ray said. “You can see it. She has that look in her eye and she is ready to throw. You can see the energy. We are confident playing defense behind her when she is in the circle to make any play.”

Jill McDaniel took the loss after allowing eight runs, five earned, on eight hits, three walks and four strikeouts in seven innings.

GAME ACTION

Joplin had scoring chances early in the first three innings, with runners reaching scoring position in each the first and third frames. The Eagles were unable to take advantage before the Tigers broke through.

“We have to do a better job with our pitch selection,” Joplin coach Manny Flores said. “Against a good pitcher like that, we can’t chase pitches out of the zone. We were pressing too much early with runners in scoring position. If you are able to get one of two of those runs home, you never know. It could be a totally different ball game.” 

Joplin’s Jill McDaniel delivers a pitch to home in the Eagles’ loss to Carthage on Tuesday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

Landry Cochran led off the top of the fourth with a double to center field before back-to-back one-out walks loaded the bases. 

Jordyn Jones was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat to score the first run of the game. A bases-loaded walk to Elder pushed across the second run, which was followed by a Joplin error that allowed a third run to score. 

Mary Grace Richmond came up next and singled to left to score a pair of runs to make the score 5-0. A dropped third strike allowed Kate Potter to reach along with two more runs scoring to give the Tigers a 7-0 advantage.

“It really got going by Natalie Rodriguez getting into a deep count, fouling off pitches before drawing a walk,” Ray said. “We had a hit-by-pitch followed by a walk and finally got a big hit to bust it open.”

Carthage added to its lead in the top of the seven after Cochran doubled to lead off the inning before being driven home on a single through the right side by Presley Probert to make the score 8-0.

AT THE PLATE

Cochran led Carthage with three hits, including two doubles, and two runs scored, while Richmond finished with two hits, two RBI and a run scored. 

Jaydn Pankow led Joplin with two hits, including a double, while Abby Lowery also had a hit.

UP NEXT

Joplin hosts Nixa on Thursday, while Carthage hosts McDonald County on Wednesday. 

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