NIXA, Mo. — Olivia Emery tossed a complete-game gem and Neosho generated just enough offense to earn a 2-1 victory over Nixa on Tuesday in a Central Ozark Conference pitcher’s duel.
A freshman right-hander, Emery was stellar in the circle. She allowed just one run on three hits and three walks while striking out seven in seven innings to earn the pitching victory.
Nixa’s Madison Meierer threw well in defeat. She allowed one earned run on six hits in seven innings with 10 strikeouts and one walk.
In the COC opener for both teams, the Wildcats plated a single tally in the second inning when Abbie Carpenter singled and later scored on an error.
The Eagles tied it up in the bottom half on Sara Sweaney’s home run to left field.
Neosho took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on Maelynn Garrett’s RBI double to right field, with Autumn Kinnaird scoring the go-ahead run.
Nixa threatened in the seventh, as Harper Simpson doubled to lead off the inning. But Emery retired the side to secure the win.
She struck out Natalia Pharris for the first out and induced a ground out off the bat of Paige Garetson.
The Eagles had the tying run on third in the bottom of the seventh, but Phoebe Gardner lined out to Neosho second baseman Grace Johnson to end the game.
The Wildcats recorded six hits. McKaylie Forrest went 2-for-3 and was the lone player with multiple hits. Forrest and Garrett recorded doubles.
Neosho (5-2) hosts New Covenant Academy at 4:30 on Wednesday.
