WEBB CITY, Mo. — A pair of big innings propelled Webb City to a 16-6 victory over Monett on Thursday in a non-conference softball clash at Chuck Barnes Field.
A seven-run first inning got things started for the Cardinals before a six-run fourth put the finishing touches on the run-rule win.
The hosts, who batted around in both of those big frames, improved to 2-0 on the season.
Webb City plated seven runs on just two hits in the opening frame.
Senior shortstop Peyton Hawkins homered to lead off the bottom of the first. A walk and back-to-back errors gave the hosts a 2-0 lead before Morgan Brannon was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Kaylyn Gilbert came home on a fielder’s choice, Ripley Shanks contributed a sacrifice fly to right field and then Hawkins delivered a two-run double to left for a seven-run cushion.
Monett scored three runs in the second, as Maddie Metlach smacked a two-run home run to center and Natalie Rivera later scored on a fielder’s choice.
The Cardinals added a single tally in the second when Hannah Wells charged home after a dropped third strike, making it 8-3.
The Cubs pushed across three runs in the third to trim their deficit to two runs, but Emma Welch and Wells both hit run-scoring singles in the bottom half to give the Cardinals a 10-6 lead.
In the big fourth, Emalee Lamar blasted a three-run homer to left to extend Webb City’s advantage to 13-6. Welch added a sac fly before Wells launched a two-run bomb to left for a 10-run cushion.
The game ended after the Cubs failed to score in the fifth.
Webb City scored its 16 runs on 11 hits.
Hawkins had a big day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and single. She scored three runs and drove in three.
Wells and Lamar had three RBI apiece, while Welch drove in two runs.
Wells crossed home three times, while Shelby Gardner, Morgan Brannon and Welch all scored two runs apiece.
Freshman Laney Taylor was the winning pitcher. She allowed four earned runs on 11 hits and struck out one.
Monett’s Abby Inman was charged with the loss. Inman allowed 10 earned runs on 11 hits.
Halle Schoen, Jayden Hohensee, Metlach and Poole all had two hits apiece for the Cubs (0-3).
The Cardinals will be among the teams competing at this weekend’s Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Softball Tournament at the Joplin Athletic Complex.
Webb City plays Seneca at 10 a.m. on Friday to begin tourney play.
