Nixa used a go-ahead two-run home run from Chloe Krans in the top of the fifth inning to earn a 2-1 win over Joplin in Central Ozark Conference action on Thursday at the JHS Athletic Complex.
Joplin (7-8, 0-4 COC) got the scoring started in the bottom of the first after Izzy Yust led off the inning with an infield hit before coming around to score later in the inning on an RBI groundout from Jadyn Pankow for a 1-0 lead.
After a quiet four innings at the plate, Nixa (9-4, 4-0 COC) found life with the bats in the fifth inning. Sara Sweaney started the inning off with an extended at-bat before reaching base on a single. Krans fell down in an 0-2 count before ripping a ball over the wall in left field to give Nixa a 2-1 advantage.
Joplin had the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on first with one out in the bottom of the seventh before a strikeout and groundout ended the threat and the game.
Maddy Meierer earned the win in the circle after allowing one run on three hits and nine strikeouts in seven innings.
Jill McDaniel took the loss after allowing two runs on five hits and five strikeouts in seven innings.
Joplin takes part in the Branson Lady Pirate Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
