AURORA, Mo. — Joplin and Carl Junction kicked off its softball season in the Kickoff Classic softball tournament hosted by Aurora over the weekend.
CARL JUNCTION GOES 3-1
The Bulldogs started the season with a 3-1 record after beating Joplin 9-8 and Aurora 16-6 on Friday before falling to Branson 12-11 on Saturday and bouncing back with an 11-3 win over Hillcrest to close the Kickoff Classic.
In the victory over Joplin, CJ’s Kiley Spencer earned the win after allowing eight runs, six earned, on nine hits and a walk in six innings. Ava Wolf took the loss for the Eagles after allowing nine runs, eight earned, on 10 hits, five walks and five strikeouts in six innings.
At the plate, CJ’s Hannah Cantrell had two hits, scored and drove in one. Izzie Southern doubled on the way to two hits and two runs scored. Kinley Spindler also doubled and had two hits, scored once and drove in a run. Kadence Hunt hit a grand slam in the sixth inning.
For Joplin, Bailey Ledford had three hits, including a double, scored three runs and drove in a run, while Jadyn Pankow doubled and drove in three. Gracie Williamson also had a hit and drive in two.
Hannah Cole picked up the win against Aurora after allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits, two walks and strikeout in two innings. Ryleigh Palmer doubled twice on the way to four hits, three RBI and two runs scored. Southern and Cantrell each had three hits and combined four seven runs and three RBI.
Spencer was saddled with the loss against Branson to open Saturday’s play after allowing eight runs on 11 hits and two strikeouts. Spencer had two hits at the plate and scored twice. Madi Olds had two hits, two RBI and scored a run. Hunt homered and drove in three.
In the final game against the Hornets, Spencer earned the win after allowing three runs on four hits, three walks and eight strikeouts. Cantrell had two hits, including a triple, and scored three runs. Olds doubled, drove in three and scored a run. Georgia Arnold doubled, scored a run and drove in a run. Hunt had a hit, two RBI and two runs scored.
Carl Junction has its home opener against Cassville on Monday.
JOPLIN FINISHES 2-2
Joplin finished the Kickoff Classic with a 2-2 record, beating Aurora 18-11 in the opener before falling to Carl Junction in the nightcap on Friday. The Eagles finished 1-1 on Saturday with a 15-0 win against Hillcrest and a 12-3 defeat against Branson to close play on Saturday.
In the victory over the Houn’ Dawgs, Caelyn Bobski earned the win in the circle after allowing 11 runs, six earned, on 11 hits, four walks and a strikeout in five innings.
Bailey Ledford, Abby Lowery, Jadyn Pankow and Libby Munn all collected three hits apiece. Lowery doubled and homered and finished with five RBI and four runs scored. Pankow and Munn homered and had three RBI and two runs scored each. Ledford doubled and had three RBI and two runs scored. Gracie Williamson, who doubled, Lily Glover and Megan Meeker each had two hits. Williamson scored three times and drove in one, while Meeker scored once and drove in a run.
Bobski earned the three-inning win after pitching a no-hitter on four strikeouts and a walk. Ledford had three hits, scored twice and drove in two, while Ashley Phillips had two hits, two RBI and scored a run. Jadyn Pankow doubled, drove in three and scored twice and Riley Kelly had a hit, three RBI and scored a run. Maria Loum doubled, scored two runs and drove in two.
Ava Wolf took the loss against Branson after allowing 11 runs, three earned, on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings. Wolf added an RBI single at the plate, while Ledford had two hits and scored a run.
Joplin hosts Kickapoo on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
