WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City and McDonald County have developed a softball rivalry in recent seasons, playing for a district title each of the previous two seasons.
Webb City and McDonald County added their latest chapter Monday.
McDonald County junior pitcher Nevaeh Dodson and Webb City sophomore pitcher Laney Taylor engaged in an old-fashioned duel and combined for 20 strikeouts (Dodson 12, Taylor 8), and each team played clean softball with no errors in a swift game that was over in 90 minutes.
Dodson’s solo home run in the third and two more runs in the fifth propelled McDonald County to a 3-1 win to start the final week of the regular season.
“That’s absolutely what it was, clean softball both sides,” McDonald County coach Heath Alumbaugh said. “We were able to scratch out a few hits when we needed it with some perfect timing and that’s the difference in the ballgame. Defensively clean both ways, both pitchers pitched well, and sometimes the ball bounces your way and sometimes it doesn’t.”
“I’m proud of the way the girls came out and played today,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said. “We had a few small mistakes and in a game like that with two competitive teams, you just can’t afford that and so that was the difference in the score. Both pitchers did a great job in the circle, and we just needed to round up a few more hits.”
Dodson enjoyed an outstanding game for the visiting Mustangs, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a solo home run, and her sacrifice in the fifth helped set up a second McDonald County run. She earned the victory in the circle with one earned run allowed on five hits with 12 strikeouts and one walk over seven innings and 105 total pitches.
“That’s what Nevaeh does for us,” Alumbaugh said. “She’s going to go out in the circle, throw strikes and give us a chance defensively. Then, she can be a threat at the plate. That’s why she’s in the leadoff spot. She can do a lot of things—hit for a little power and she dropped down a sacrifice bunt when we needed it. She’s a very versatile player.”
Dodson struck out at least one in all seven innings, highlighted by her striking out the side in the second and the third.
Jacie Frencken delivered an RBI double in the two-run fifth, and Carlee Cooper, Natalie Gillming and Reagan Myrick rounded out the Mustangs’ six hits with one each.
Taylor took the loss, and she allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits with eight strikeouts and one walk over seven innings and 95 total pitches.
Freshman left fielder Alex Maturino led off the fifth with a double, stole third, and scored Webb City’s lone run when she came home on Sydney Strickland’s 4-3 RBI groundout.
Elizabeth Rhuems, Strickland, Kenzie Wynn and Addison Brown contributed one hit each to the Cardinals’ five hits against Dodson.
McDonald County and Webb City could meet again very soon in the district tournament.
“The fun thing about it, Coach Friend does a great job,” Alumbaugh said. “They’re always well-coached. We know it’s going to be a battle every year. This game, just fortunate to come out on the winning end of it tonight.”
“That’s the plan,” Friend said. “See them again in districts. They’re a good ball club, and we hope to end up playing them in the end.
“We’ve been up and down all season. It’s been a roller coaster at times. Like we’ve said all year, we’re young and the girls are getting a lot of good experience that’s not going to only benefit us in districts this year but into future years. Overall, I’m pleased with how the girls have come out this year and hopefully, we can finish strong and peak next week.”
McDonald County improved to 16-7 overall, and the Mustangs return to action Tuesday on the road against Monett. The Mustangs complete their regular season with games Friday and Saturday in the Carthage Tournament.
Webb City dropped to 16-16 overall, and the Cardinals finish out Central Ozark Conference play Tuesday against Joplin. The Cardinals finish their regular season Saturday against Kickapoo and Rock Bridge.
SPRINGFIELD TOURNAMENT
The Cardinals went 3-2 at the Springfield Tournament over the weekend.
Webb City earned wins over Rogersville (8-7), St. Teresa’s Academy (20-2) and Seneca (6-1). The Cardinals suffered losses to Liberty (10-5) and Willard (8-1).
MONDAY’S FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)
