WEBB CITY, Mo. — A strong pitching performance and a four-run frame propelled the Nevada Tigers to a 5-1 victory over the Webb City Cardinals on Monday in a non-conference softball matchup.
Simply put, the visiting Tigers spoiled Webb City’s 2023 home opener.
“We got out-played today, but it’s still early in the season,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said. “They just had that one big inning. We have a lot of work still to do. It was a good game to build on and I’m sure we’ll see Nevada again.”
The clash between Class 4 District 7 foes was a pitcher’s duel between Webb City junior right-hander Laney Taylor and Nevada junior right-hander Peyton Eaton in the early stages of the contest.
The game was scoreless until the Tigers broke through in the top of the fourth.
Nevada junior catcher Ella Heathman doubled to leadoff the frame and later scored on junior shortstop Kaleiah Johnson’s RBI single to the wall in center.
Webb City tied it up in the bottom of the fourth.
Freshman shortstop Abby Sargent singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore third baseman Kylee Sargent’s sacrifice bunt allowed Abby Sargent to advance to third.
Next, senior catcher Dawsyn Decker laid down a squeeze bunt, with the tying run scoring on the play.
The game wasn’t deadlocked long, as Nevada erupted for four runs on four hits and an error in the game-changing fifth inning.
Caylee Holcomb singled and later scored on a Webb City throwing error before Eaton helped her own cause by contributing a run-scoring single that allowed Kara Phillips to cross the plate.
Eaton later charged home on a wild pitch before Johnson hit an RBI single to left, scoring Heathman and giving the visitors a 5-1 advantage.
The Cardinals were unable to respond late in the game, as Eaton kept the hosts off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
A returning all-district pitcher, Eaton earned the complete game victory. In a solid outing, Eaton limited the Cardinals to one run on three hits. She didn’t walk a batter.
The Cardinals had scored 11 runs in each of their first two games of the season. But on Monday, Webb City’s bats were mostly kept silent.
“She spun the ball well and she’s a good pitcher,” Friend said of Eaton. “We didn’t quite get things figured out in time today.”
Also a returning all-district performer, Taylor was charged with the loss, but she only allowed two earned runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings.
“She came out and threw well and kept them under control until that one big inning,” Friend said of Taylor’s outing. “It was the third time through the order, so they’d seen her a little bit and they made some adjustments.”
Sophomore Makenzie Wynn tossed two scoreless innings in relief for the Cardinals.
“Wynn came in and pitched really well for us,” Friend noted. “We’re looking forward to seeing her in the circle again.”
Senior first baseman Sydney Strickland, Abby Sargent and Decker had the lone hits for the Cardinals, who slipped to 2-1 on the season.
Johnson, Holcomb and Eaton had two hits apiece for the Tigers, who improved to 4-1.
Again, these two teams have been assigned to the same district, so they could meet again when the postseason arrives.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Nevada hosts Cassville on Tuesday.
Webb City is at Rolla on Wednesday. The Cardinals will compete at Joplin’s annual tournament on Friday and Saturday.
