SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Fifth-seeded Joplin ensured its season lasts at least one more game after opening the stacked Class 5 District 5 softball tournament with a 2-1 win over fourth-seeded Neosho on Tuesday before third-seeded Kickapoo scored early and often in an 11-1 win over sixth-seeded Carthage in the nightcap at Central Ballpark.
JOPLIN UPENDS NEOSHO
The Eagles started with the momentum after plating a run in the top of the first inning before adding insurance with a single tally in the third inning. Neosho cut the lead in half after getting on the scoreboard in the fourth inning but stranded the tying run on second base. The Wildcats had a runner reach in the fifth and seventh innings, but Joplin didn’t waver and finished off the quarterfinal win.
Joplin (23-10) advances to take on top-seeded Ozark (26-7) at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday after the Tigers defeated Springfield Central 17-0 in the opening game of the day.
Jill McDaniel earned the win for Joplin after allowing one unearned run in a complete-game effort. She scattered five hits, walked one and struck out nine.
Olivia Emery took the loss for Neosho after allowing two runs on eight hits and six strikeouts in seven innings.
Bailey Ledford led off the top of the first inning with a triple to left field before Jadyn Pankow came up with a one-out single through the left side two batters later to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Pankow and Riley Kelly had back to back singles with one out in the top of the third inning before Libby Munn put Joplin in front 2-0 with a two-out RBI single to center field.
Beclynn Garrett singled to lead off the last of the fourth for Neosho before stealing second and bunted to third by Carleigh Kinnaird. Garrett scored on a passed ball with two outs shortly after to trim the Wildcats’ deficit in half, 2-1.
Pankow led Joplin with three hits, an RBI and a run scored, while Kelly had two hits. Ledford tripled and scored a run, while Munn had a hit and an RBI. McDaniel also registered a hit.
Garrett had two hits and scored a run, while McKaylie Forrest had two hits and drew a walk. Baylie Bowers also had a hit.
Neosho finishes the season with a 24-7 record and graduates seniors Jordyn Baker, Abbie Carpenter, Trinity Drake, Maelynn Garrett, Grace Johnson, Chloe Patterson, Bowers and Forrest.
CARTHAGE FALLS TO KICKAPOO
After Carthage took the initial lead with a run in the top of the first inning, Kickapoo answered with two runs in the bottom half before adding three more runs in the second, a single tally in the third, three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to end the contest via run rule.
The Tigers end the season with a 19-16 record, graduating seniors Landry Cochran, Ashlynn Jackson and Avery Smith.
The Chiefs (26-8) advance to take on second seeded Nixa (25-6) at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Allison Scott earned the win after allowing one run on three hits and five strikeouts in five innings.
Jackson took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings.
Cochran had a hit and scored a run, while Jenna Calhoon
