Joplin snapped its four-game losing streak as the Eagles earned a 2-1 win over Glendale on Senior Night on Monday at the JHS Athletic Complex.
The Eagles scored a run in the first inning before the Falcons briefly tied the game up in the top of the sixth with a single tally. Joplin answered right back with a go-ahead run crossing the plate in the last of the sixth on the way to victory. The Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak with the win, improving its record to 21-9.
“(Tonight’s win) was huge especially when you have a big conference game tomorrow,” Joplin coach Brenden Schneider said. “It is a momentum builder and a confidence builder for us. We are just hoping that we can continue with this momentum but find our bats a little more tomorrow.”
SENIOR NIGHT
Joplin starting pitcher Jill McDaniel and starting shortstop Izzy Yust were both honored after the game on Senior Night ceremonies.
“What is there to say about those two?” Schneider said. “They are two of the best kids you could ask for as a coach. They do everything you ask of them with a smile because they understand the process. They understand what it means to be a leader, and they have both been team captains for three-plus years and have been phenomenal in the role. What I am the most proud of is that they’ve helped teach our younger players how we play the game and how we go about our business here at Joplin.”
IN THE CIRCLE
McDaniel dominated in the final home start of her career, earning the complete-game win in the circle for the Eagles after allowing one unearned run on one hit, two walks and 13 strikeouts in seven innings.
“We couldn’t have done it today without Jill,” Schneider said. “She went out to the circle and owned it with 13 strikeouts and like two walks and she hit a girl. That is just battling in the circle. When you only give up one hit, it puts the rest of your team in a pretty good position and we needed every bit of her effort because we only scored two runs, and I don’t think either of them were earned.”
Zoe Denny took the loss after allowing two unearned runs on four hits and two strikeouts in six innings of work.
GAME ACTION
Joplin took the early lead when Abby Lowery, who reached on a fielder’s choice, came around to score on a passed ball for a 1-0 advantage.
The Falcons tied the game up at 1-1 after back to back two-out errors in the top of the sixth inning allowed Samantha Caldwell to score.
The Eagles didn’t wait long to respond. Joplin’s Riley Kelly led off the top of the sixth inning with a single before courtesy runner Carlie Howard stole second and went to third when Yust reached via a Glendale error at third. Howard later scored on a passed ball to give Joplin its 2-1 advantage.
AT THE PLATE
Bailey Ledford, Jadyn Pankow, McDaniel and Kelly each had hits for Joplin.
Caldwell had the lone hit for Glendale.
ON DECK
Joplin hits the road for its final Central Ozark Conference game of the season with a matchup at Webb City on Tuesday. The Eagles close the regular season with a game at Waynesville on Thursday.
“The conference is so tough,” Schneider said about the COC. “Every Tuesday and Thursday you know you’re going to hook up with somebody who is going to give you their very best. Webb is no different. They play so hard and are going to find ways to get things done. We are going to have to play with an energy and an attitude that we can compete with them if we want to come out of there with a win.”
