JOPLIN 15, SENECA 5 (5 INNINGS)
Seneca started the scoring but Joplin finished it in a five-inning win over the Indians on Monday at the JHS Athletic Complex.
The Indians (6-11), who won six of their last nine games coming in, got the scoring started with two runs in the first inning before Joplin (10-8) took control with a six-run second inning. Seneca chipped away but would get no closer than two runs to the lead before a six-run fourth inning fueled by a pair of long balls by the Eagles put the game out of reach for good.
Ava Wolf earned the win for Joplin after allowing five runs on seven hits, three walks and two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
Callie Rhoades took the loss for Seneca after allowing 15 runs, 11 earned, on 14 hits, two walks and three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
Seneca took the early lead with a pair of runs crossing the plate in the Indians’ first at-bat. Abby Stelts drove home the first run with a double to center before Bailey Waddell picked up an RBI on a groundout later in the inning.
Joplin’s Taryn Casey cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the second inning when she singled up the middle to bring home the runner from second to make the score 2-1. Joplin tied the game moments later when Ashley Phillips chopped the ball and reached on an infield hit to plate a run. Two batters later, Abby Lowery ripped a double over the head of the right fielder with the bags full to drive in three runs and give the Eagles a 5-2 advantage. Jadyn Pankow picked up an RBI on a groundout to wrap the scoring with Joplin on top 6-2.
The Indians cut the lead to two runs in the top of the third inning when Rhoades continued her power streak with a two-run homer with two outs to trim Joplin’s advantage to 6-4.
Lowery came up big once more for the Eagles in the bottom of the third inning. With two runners on, Lowery smoked a ball over the wall in right field for a three-run homer and a 9-4 lead. After an RBI single to center field from Riley Kelly, Wolf put a big swing on the ball with a two-run home run to right-center field for a 12-4 lead.
Seneca added a run in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Waddell to make the score 12-5.
Joplin ended the game early after touching home three times in the bottom of the fifth inning to invoke the mercy rule. Lowery added an RBI double before a run scored on an error, which led to Wolf bringing home the final run two batters later with a two-out single to left.
Lowery led Joplin at the dish with three hits, including two doubles and a homer, as well as a game-high seven RBI and three runs scored. Wolf had three hits, including a home run, three RBI and scored a run. Kelly had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run.
Stelts doubled and finished with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI, while Rhoades homered on the way to two hits, two RBI and a run scored. Waddell also had two hits and two RBI for Seneca.
Joplin hosts Carl Junction on Tuesday.
Seneca is at Marshfield on Tuesday.
CARTHAGE 2, CASSVILLE 1
CASSVILLE, Mo. — Carthage scored early and rode another strong start from Addie Wallace on the way to a win over Cassville on Monday.
Wallace dominated in the circle with the lead, earning the complete-game win after allowing one run over seven innings after scattering three hits, walking one and striking out 12.
The Tigers reached the scoreboard in the first inning when Lexa Youngblood, who reached on a leadoff error by the Wildcats, came around to score on a wild pitch.
Cassville tied the game in the fourth inning when Lauren Sparkman singled home a run.
Carthage went up for good in the fifth inning when Jenna Calhoon went deep for a solo home run and a 2-1 lead.
Tomi Blankenship took the loss after allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits, a walk and two strikeouts in seven innings.
Lottie Youngblood had three hits to lead Carthage at the plate, while Calhoon homered, scored a run and drove in one.
Carthage (12-9) hosts Branson on Tuesday.
MONETT 14, CARL JUNCTION 2 (5 INNINGS)
MONETT, Mo. — Monett scored in each of the first four innings on the way to a comfortable win over Carl Junction on Monday.
The Cubs (9-5) took control in the bottom of the first after scoring five times. Monett added two runs in the second, another in the third and six more in the fourth to end the game after five frames on run rule. Carl Junction had single tallies in the third and fourth inning.
Kilee Wilson earned the win after allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits, a walk and six strikeouts in five innings.
Kiley Spencer took the loss after allowing 14 runs, 10 earned, on 17 hits and three strikeouts in four innings.
Madi Olds had two hits, including a triple, and finished with one RBI for Carl Junction. Izzie Southern doubled and drove in a run.
Carl Junction (6-11) is at Joplin on Tuesday.
WEBB CITY GOES 1-2 AT PARK HILL TOURNEY
Webb City went 1-2 over the weekend at the Park Hill Tournament.
On Friday, Webb City defeated Park Hill 12-11 and suffered a 5-4 loss to Mid-Buchanan.
On Saturday, Fort Osage defeated Webb City 7-0.
Webb City (12-6) is at Neosho (16-5) on Tuesday for a Central Ozark Conference contest.
