NEOSHO CRUISES PAST BRANSON
NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho scored nine runs in the first three innings on the way to a 9-2 win over Branson in Central Ozark Conference action on Thursday.
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 9-3, 3-1 COC on the season.
Olivia Emery earned the win in the circle for Neosho after allowing two runs on four hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in seven complete innings.
Sierra Dailey took the loss after allowing nine runs, six earned, on nine hits, two walks and a strikeout in 2 1/3 innings.
Beclynn Garrett highlighted the first inning with a two-run home run to left field to put Neosho in front before Baylie Bowers hit a solo homer in the second inning to make the score 4-0. The Wildcats added another run in the frame on an error. Bowers added a two-run double to highlight the four-run third inning.
Kinnaird had three hits and two runs scored, while Bowers had two hits and a run scored. Abbie Carpenter had two hits and scored a run. Garrett and Bowers had three RBI apiece.
Neosho takes part in the Branson Lady Pirate Invitational over the weekend.
JOPLIN FALLS TO OZARK IN EXTRAS TO SNAP WINNING STREAK
OZARK, Mo. — Ozark rallied from an early deficit and held off Joplin for a 6-5 walk-off win in eight innings during Central Ozark Conference and district play on Thursday.
The Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the first inning before the Tigers rallied with five runs over the middle inning to build a three-run lead. Joplin scored two runs in the sixth before tying the game up in the top of the seventh to force extra innings. Ozark had runners on second and third with two outs in the last of the eighth when Kelsie Batey reached on an infield single to bring home the winning run.
The loss snaps Joplin’s 10-game winning streak and is the first conference loss of the season for the Eagles, who hold a 16-3, 3-1. Ozark improves to 11-4 on the season with a 4-0 record in conference play.
Jordyn Foley earned the complete-game win for Republic after allowing five runs, three earned, on 10 hits, two walks and five strikeouts in eight innings of work.
Jill McDaniel took the loss after allowing six runs, four earned, on 12 hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.
Joplin had 10 hits in the loss, with Abby Lowery accounting for three of them. She also scored a team-high three runs. Izzy Yust had two hits, including a home run, a team-high three RBI and a run scored. Bailey Ledford had a hit, walked once and scored a run, while Riley Kelly had a hit and scored a run.
REPUBLIC 20, CARL JUNCTION 7
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Up 10-7 after four innings, Republic erupted for 10 late runs to knock off the Bulldogs in COC action on Thursday.
The Tigers (9-5, 2-2 COC) pushed across four runs in the sixth and added six more in the seventh.
The Bulldogs scored their seven runs on eight hits.
Hannah Cantrell went 3-for-4 for Carl Junction, while Madi Olds drove in two runs on two hits. Sammie Sims and Kiley Spencer scored two runs apiece.
Spencer allowed two earned runs in six innings in the circle, striking out three and walking two. Hannah Cole allowed six runs.
Kara Goeke was the winning pitcher. She limited the Bulldogs to one earned run on four hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Republic’s Addison Walker and Addie Brown homered. The Tigers pounded out 19 hits and took advantage of nine Carl Junction errors.
Carl Junction (4-7, 0-4 COC) hosts North County and Summit Christian Academy at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, on Saturday.
