McDonald County Mustangs Archives - Page 3 of 4

ROUNDUP: McDonald County baseball; College Height softball earn wins; other area teams in action

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Lucas Davis

MCDONALD COUNTY BASEBALL 8, CASSVILLE 0

ANDERSON, Mo. — Class 5 sixth-ranked McDonald County used a four-run second inning on the back of a no-hitter from Cross Dowd on the way to a shutout win over Cassville on Thursday.

Dowd earned the no-hit shutout win for McDonald County (16-4) on 95 pitches. He struck out 13 and walked two.

Devin Bailey took the loss after allowing four runs, two earned, on two hits, four walks and two strikeouts in two innings.

Destyn Dowd had two hits and scored a run, while Cross Dowd had a hit and scored twice. Levi Helm and Weston Gordon each had a hit and scored.

REPUBLIC BASEBALL 5, CARTHAGE 3

REPUBLIC, Mo. — Republic held a 5-1 lead after five innings and held off a late rally from Carthage on Thursday.

Gavyn Beckner earned the win after allowing two runs on eight hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in six innings. Ace McWatters earned the save after allowing two runs on five hits in one relief inning.

Kaden Arr took the loss after allowing five runs, three earned, on six hits, six walks and six strikeouts in five innings of work.

Carthage started the rally with two outs in the sixth after Sylas Browning, who singled to left to start the inning, scored on a double steal, with Nate Norbury taking second after reaching with a single.

Clay Kinder and Ty Perry had back to back RBI singles in the top of the seventh with two away but the final out was made with the tying run on second.

Braxdon Tate and Logan Carmickle each had three hits, with Carmickle driving in one and scoring once to lead Carthage at the plate. Caden Kabance and Browning had a hit and scored a run.

OZARK 12, NEOSHO 0 (5 INNINGS)

OZARK, Mo. — Ozark scored 11 runs in the first three innings on the way to a five-inning Central Ozark Conference win over Neosho on Thursday.

The Tigers scored three times in the first inning, five times in the second and three more runs in the third to build a commanding lead before adding a single tally in the fourth frame to score a run in every at-bat.

Devyn Wright earned the complete-game win after throwing five scoreless innings on three hits and two strikeouts.

Austin Rodriguez took the loss after allowing eight runs, three earned, on four hits, three walks and a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings.

Cooper Buvid doubled and had two RBI and scored twice, while Brady Dodd had a hit, scored a run and drove in three.

River Brill, Carter Fenske and Carter Baslee registered hits for Neosho

LIBERAL BASEBALL 6, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 5

LIBERAL, Mo. — Liberal broke a back-and-forth 5-5 tie with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning on the way to a win over College Heights on Thursday.

The Cougars and Bulldogs exchanged two runs in the second inning before CHC added a single tally in the top of the third to take the lead. Liberal regained the lead with a three-run fifth before College Heights scored twice in the top of the sixth to tie things up at 5-5. The Bulldogs pushed across the go-ahead run in the last of the sixth to earn the win.

Kole Wiles earned the win after allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits, four walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Matthew Boehne earned the save after pitching a scoreless seventh inning on one hit.

Ben Thomas took the loss after allowing six runs, four earned, on seven hits, four walks and a strikeout.

Payton Morrow had two hits, including a double, and two RBI. Chase Ray had one hit and one RBI, while Boehne had a hit, scored a run and drove in one.

Josh Anderson had two hits, including a double, and three RBI for CHC. Austin Miller and Kelton Welch each had a hit and scored a run, with Welch adding an RBI.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS SOFTBALL 6, LIBERAL 3

LIBERAL, Mo. — Playing as the home team after inclement weather forced the game to Liberal, College Heights (with McAuley) built a four-run lead through the first three innings on the way to a win over the Bulldogs on Thursday.

The Cougars (13-2) took the initial lead in the bottom of the first when Kloee Williamson singled home Jayli Johnson before she touched the plate later in the frame on an RBI groundout by Maddy Colin for a 2-0 lead. Addie Lawrence hit an inside-the-park home run that scored Williamson, who singled with one out in the inning, in the third inning to push the lead to 4-0.

Liberal (with Bronaugh) had a three-run fourth inning highlighted by an RBI double from Jordan Goodell.

Lawrence tripled to right field in the bottom of the fourth inning to plate two runs to wrap the scoring in the game.

Colin earned the win after allowing three unearned runs on two hits and 13 strikeouts in seven complete innings.

Kyla Porter took the loss after allowing six runs, three earned, on eight hits, a walk and four strikeouts in six innings.

Lawrence homered and tripled to go along with four RBI and a run scored to lead CHC at the plate. Williamson had three hits, scored three runs and added an RBI and a walk. Colin, Aaliyah Perez and Lauren Ukena each had hits, while Johnson scored twice.

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Webb City, College Heights, Mac County earn wins; Neosho, CJ and Carthage fall

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Lucas Davis

WEBB CITY 4, OZARK 3

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City improved to 2-1 in Central Ozark Conference play and 9-8 overall with a win over the always-solid Tigers on Thursday at Chuck Barnes Field.

Winners of three straight, Webb City recorded four hits, two by Kaylor Darnell and one apiece from Jeremiah Leaming and Cade Wilson. The Cardinals also took advantage of three Ozark errors.

Kaylor Darnell earned the win on the mound. He went five innings and allowed just one earned run. Walker Sweet tossed the final two innings, allowing a run while striking out two to earn the save.

Ozark’s Devyn Wright took the loss after allowing one earned run on four hits in six innings.

Ozark fell to 11-5 and 2-1 in the COC.

After the Tigers plated a run in the top of the first, the Cardinals responded with two runs in the bottom half. With the bases loaded, Kaylor Darnell smacked a two-run single to left, scoring Cy Darnell and Jeremiah Leaming.

Ozark tied it up in the second on Rhett Hayward’s run-scoring single.

In the fourth, Kaylor Darnell tripled to right and pinch runner Evan Freeman later scored on Wilson’s sacrifice fly to right.

One inning later, Eric Fitch reached on an error and later came home on Kenley Hood’s sac fly, giving the Cardinals a 4-2 advantage.

Ozark stranded the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, as Sweet worked out of trouble.

The Tigers scored a run in the seventh on Brody Baumann’s RBI double before Sweet retired the side.

Webb City is at Glendale on Saturday.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS 8, VERONA 3

VERONA, Mo. — College Heights built an 8-0 lead through the first 6 1/2 innings en route to a win over Verona in Ozark 7 Conference action on Thursday at Warren Turner Field.

The Cougars (3-6) took the lead with a run in the first after Kelton Welch, who doubled to lead off the inning, scored on an RBI groundout from Austin Miller. Jayce Walker highlighted the two-run third inning for CHC with a run-scoring single through the right side before coming around to score later in the inning on a passed ball to push the lead to 3-0.

Nicholas Brueggemann tripled home a run before Ben Thomas brought him home with a triple in the next at-bat. The Cougars added the final run in the top of the fifth on a Verona error.

College Heights added two more runs in the seventh inning on a two-run single from Smoke Ezell.

Thomas earned the win after allowing three runs, one earned, on one hit, two walks and 12 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Jacob Stellwagen took the loss after allowing six runs, four earned, on nine hits, two walks and five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Welch had four hits and scored three runs to lead CHC at the plate, while Walker and Brueggemann each had three hits, scored twice and drove in one.

WILLARD BASEBALL 7, NEOSHO 4

NEOSHO, Mo. — Willard rallied with a five-run seventh inning to come back for a win over Neosho in Central Ozark Conference play on Thursday at Roy B. Shaver Field.

Neosho (9-5) scored three runs in the second, highlighted by an RBI single from Matthew Velasco, to take a 3-0 advantage.

Willard rallied in the seventh to tie the game on a Neosho error that allowed two runs to score. Klayton Kiser hit a three-run homer later in the inning to score the go-ahead runs.

Kael Smith started and took a no-decision after allowing two runs on four hits and five strikeouts in six innings. Wyatt Shadwick took the loss after allowing five unearned runs on one, two walks and a strikeout in 2/3 of an inning in relief.

Jared Miles earned the win after allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits, a walk and 10 punchouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Eli Zar had two hits, while Velasco had a hit and two RBI to lead Neosho at the plate.

REPUBLIC BASEBALL 8, CARL JUNCTION 3

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Republic built a 4-3 lead after three and added insurance late on the way to a Central Ozark Conference win over Carl Junction on Thursday.

The Tigers (8-8) scored twice in the first and added single tallies in the second and third to lead the Bulldogs 4-3, as CJ (5-9) scored a run in the second to get on the scoreboard before adding two runs in the third frame to cut the lead to one. Republic added a single tally in the fifth and three runs in the sixth to seal the win.

Gavyn Beckner earned the win after allowing three runs on four hits, five walks and eight strikeouts in six innings of work.

Logan Eck took the loss after allowing four runs, one earned, on seven hits, a walk and two strikeouts in three innings.

Jordan Woodruff finished with a home run, two RBI and run scored to go along with two walks to lead CJ at the plate. Eck had a hit and drove in a run, while Drew Massey had a hit and scored a run.

MCDONALD COUNTY 6, MONETT 0

ANDERSON, Mo. — Weston Gordon hurled a complete-game shutout, limiting the Cubs to two hits while striking out nine.

Cole Martin had two hits for the Mustangs, while Fisher Sanny had an RBI. Isaac Behm and Cross Dowd had one hit apiece.

Monett’s Marcus Young allowed three earned runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts.

Daniel Geiss and Young had Monett’s lone hits.

NIXA 17, CARTHAGE 4

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carthage scored two runs in the first inning to take an early lead before Nixa answered with 11 unanswered runs over the next three innings on the way to a six-inning win over the Tigers in Central Ozark Conference action on Thursday at Carl Lewton Stadium.

Harry Dougan earned the win for Nixa after allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits, four walks and five strikeouts in four innings.

Parker Copeland took the loss after giving up 11 runs, 10 earned, on 10 hits, two walks and strikeout in three innings.

Jack Edwards had three hits, including a double and a home run, two RBI and a run scored. Caden Cloud had a double and a home run, four RBI and scored three times.

Caden Kabance doubled and had two hits to lead Carthage at the plate. He scored once and drove in one. Copeland had a hit and an RBI to go along with a walk. Ty Perry had a hit and scored a run.

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Carthage tops CJ; McDonald County beats Lamar; Neosho falls

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Lucas Davis

CARTHAGE BASEBALL 11, CARL JUNCTION 2

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carthage hung crooked numbers on the scoreboard in the fourth and fifth innings on the way to a Central Ozark Conference win over Carl Junction on Tuesday at Carl Lewton Stadium.

The Tigers (6-6) and Bulldogs (5-8) played just four days prior in the Bill O’Dell Tournament championship game, with Carl Junction walking away with the 7-1 win. Carthage took control of the rematch with six runs crossing home in the third inning before three more Tigers touched the plate in the fourth to build a 9-1 lead en route to the conference win.

Bradyn Tate earned the win after allowing two runs on nine hits, three walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Parker Copeland allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one in an inning of relief.

Shane Diskin took the loss after allowing six runs, five earned, on seven hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Kyler Perry allowed three unearned runs on two hits, a walk and five strikeouts in 1 2/3 relief innings. Lucas Vanlanduit and Jordan Woodruff each allowed one unearned run on one hit and two strikeouts in one relief inning. Vanlanduit also walked a batter.

Caden Kabance, Logan Carmickle and Kanen Vogt doubled in three of the first four at-bats by the Tigers in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Nate Norbury adding a hit-by-pitch, to give the Tigers a 3-1 advantage. Drew Musche added a bases-clearing one-out double to right field with the bags full later in the inning to push the lead to 6-1. Carthage scored three unearned runs in the fifth aided by three CJ errors in the inning.

Kabance had two hits and scored a run, while Vogt went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Musche had a hit and drove in a team-high three runs.

Brentley Rowden led CJ at the plate with three hits and an RBI, while Diskin doubled and scored a run.

Carthage hosts Nixa on Thursday.

Carl Junction hosts Republic on Thursday.

REPUBLIC BASEBALL 4, NEOSHO 3

NEOSHO, Mo. — Republic broke a 3-3 tie with a run in the top of the sixth inning on the way to a win over Neosho on Tuesday at the Neosho Athletic Complex.

The Tigers (7-8) broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the third and one more in the fourth to build a 3-0 advantage. The Wildcats (9-4) tied the game up with a three-run fifth inning before Republic scored the go-ahead run an inning later.

Cole Iles earned the complete-game win for Republic after allowing three runs, one earned, on six hits and four strikeouts in seven innings.

Austin Rodriguez took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits, three walks and eight strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Quenton Hughes didn’t allow a run in 1 2/3 relief innings, surrendering one hit and striking out three.

Trailing 3-0 heading into the fifth, Neosho cut the lead to 3-1 on an RBI single to left from Matthew Velcasco before a run came home to score with two outs on an error by Republic later in the inning. The Wildcats tied the game up on Wyatt Shadwick’s RBI double to left that scored Velasco.

Devon Hughes plated the go-ahead run for the Tigers in the top of the sixth inning with an RBI single through the left side of the infield.

Shadwick had two hits and an RBI, while Carter Fenske added two hits and a run scored.

MCDONALD COUNTY BASEBALL 6, LAMAR 1

ANDERSON, Mo. — The Mustangs plated three runs in both the third and sixth innings.

McDonald County’s Cole Martin went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, while Levi Helm added two hits.

Helm was the winning pitcher. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out 10 in 4 2/3 innings. Isaac Behm pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing just a walk.

Lamar’s Ryan Davis allowed three earned runs on five hits in five innings. Robert Lawrence gave up two earned runs on two hits in an inning of relief.

The Tigers were limited to two hits, one apiece by Mason Gastel and Stetson Wiss. Chase Querry had the lone RBI.

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Carthage and CJ win, to meet in championship; McDonald County and Neosho victorious

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Lucas Davis

CARTHAGE 7, MOUNT VERNON 5

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carthage rallied with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat Mount Vernon on the third day of the Bill O’Dell Tournament at Carl Lewton Stadium.

The Tigers (5-4) held a 4-3 lead before the Mountaineers (4-5) took the lead with two runs touching home in the fifth inning. Carthage responded with three runs in the sixth to move in front for good.

The Tigers take on Carl Junction in the championship round in a rematch of last season. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday.

Parker Copeland earned the win after allowing five runs on six hits, five walks and six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings for Carthage. Zach Geter earned the final out in relief.

Payton Jones took the loss after surrendering seven runs, two earned, on five hits, three walks and six strikeouts in five innings of work.

Copeland walked and Clay Kinder singled to lead off the sixth inning for the Tigers, who scored in the next at-bat when Drew Musche reached on a throwing error after dropping down a bunt to tie the game at 5-5. Braxdon Tate reached on a sac bunt in the next at-bat, giving Carthage a 6-5 lead in the process as Kinder scored on the play. Carthage pushed the lead to 7-5 three batters later when Logan Carmickle plated Musche with a sac fly to center field.

Caden Kabance had two hits and scored two runs for Carthage. Kanen Vogt, Kinder and Musche all had hits, with Kinder and Musche scoring a run. Copeland walked once and scored twice.

CARL JUNCTION 6, SENECA 4

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carl Junction rallied with four runs in the sixth inning to fuel a win over Seneca on the fourth day of the Bill O’Dell Tournament.

Seneca scored single tallies in the first two innings before Carl Junction trimmed the lead in half with a run scoring in the third frame. The Bulldogs rallied back and took the lead with a four-run sixth. The Indians plated two runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 6-4, but CJ added a run in the seventh for insurance.

The win sends Carl Junction to the championship round with a matchup against the host Carthage Tigers at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Hunter Cantrell started and took a no-decision for Carl Junction after allowing two runs on three hits, four walks and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Jacob Ford earned the win in relief after allowing two runs on two hits, two walks and three strikeouts in 1 1/3 relief innings. Jordan Woodruff earned the save with one strikeout in a scoreless seventh inning.

Grant Houchin took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits, four walks and four strikeouts in six innings of work. Colton Curtis allowed one run on one hit, a walk and a strikeout in one relief inning for the Indians.

Carl Junction’s rally in the sixth started with the first three hitters reaching base via a single and two hit-by-pitches to load the bases. Dalton Mills followed with a walk to force in a run. Cole Wilson was hit by a pitch later in the inning with the bags full to force in a run and give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead. Arlen Wakefield added a two-run single through the left side to cap the inning.

Kaden Clouse singled home a run for Seneca to trim the lead to 5-3, with Kade Johnson adding an RBI on a hit-by-pitch later in the frame to cut the lead to one.

Drew Massey singled home a run in the top of the seventh to give the Bulldogs insurance.

Kyler Perry had two hits, an RBI and scored a run to lead CJ at the plate. Wakefield had a hit and two RBI. Mills had a hit, drove in one and scored once.

MCDONALD COUNTY 10, JAY (OKLA.) 0

ANDERSON, Mo. — A six-run fifth inning put the finishing touches on a run-rule victory for the McDonald County Mustangs on Thursday.

The Mustangs pushed across a single tally in the first on Isaac Behm’s sac fly.

Mac County added two runs in the second, with one run scoring on Colton Ruddick’s bunt and the second coming home on Jack Parnell’s groundout.

The hosts went up 4-0 in the third on Tucker Walters’ RBI single.

McDonald County blew the game open with six runs in the fifth.

During the big inning, Cross Dowd delivered a two-run single, two more runs scored on an error, Ruddick drove in a run with a grounder and Cole Martin’s RBI single made it 10-0.

With that, the game ended early due to the run-rule.

Levi Helm, Martin and Walters had two hits apiece for McDonald County, while Ruddick and Cross Dowd drove in two runs apiece.

Behm earned the shutout victory. He went all five innings, struck out nine, walked three and scattered three hits.

Jaiden Ricky had two of Jay’s three hits.

Sully Lane took the loss after allowing nine earned runs on eight hits and seven walks. He struck out three.

McDonald County, now 8-3, hosts Providence Academy on Friday.

WHEATON 10, MCAULEY 9

Wheaton trailed 9-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh and scored six runs in the final frame to earn the walk-off win over McAuley on Thursday in Ozark 7 action.

The Warriors (2-2) built a 5-0 lead by the end of the second inning before adding single tallies in the fourth and sixth innings to take a five-run lead into the last of the seventh.

The first six batters reached to start the last of the seventh for Wheaton (1-6) to fuel the rally. The Bulldogs had four hits in the inning, including a walk-off single from Grant Bradford.

Kelton Park started and took a no-decision after allowing seven runs, three earned, on nine hits, two walks and five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Fernando Gonzalez earned the win after allowing two runs on three hits, a walk and two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.

Rocco Bazzano-Joseph started and took the no-decision after allowing four runs on eight hits, a walk and 11 strikeouts in six innings. Tripp Miller took the loss after allowing six runs, one earned, on three hits, two walks and a strikeout in 2/3 of an inning.

Bradford had three hits, three RBI and a run scored to lead Wheaton. Kollin Garner finished with three hits and drove in a game-high four runs while scoring once. Devin Bateman had three hits and scored once.

Bazzano-Joseph had four hits, including a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Jack Jones had three hits, two of them doubles, and three RBI, while Kable Reichardt had three hits, including a double, to go along with two runs scored.

NEOSHO WINS TWO IN MICKEY MANTLE CLASSIC

COMMERCE, Okla. — Neosho hit the road for the Mickey Mantle Classic baseball tournament and earned a 2-1 win over Grove, Oklahoma, before wrapping the day with a 5-4 win over Wichita, Kansas.

With the wins, the Wildcats improve to 8-3 on the season.

Carter Fenske earned the win on the mound for Neosho against Grove after allowing one run in five innings of work.

Austin Rodriguez earned the win on the bump against Wichita in six innings of work. Eli Zar had two hits.

BASEBALL: Joplin holds off McDonald County for 11-8 win

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Lucas Davis

Joplin scored eight runs in the first two innings to build a sizable cushion on the way to an 11-8 win over McDonald County on a windy Tuesday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

“We talked yesterday about how we are three or four hits from flipping that record a little bit and thinking about things a lot differently,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said. “It was awesome to see the kids come out and execute some at-bats early. I thought our approach at the plate was great. There were two-strike hits, two-out hits and we took the ball back-side when we needed to. It was great to get out to that lead because it gives Brady (Mails), as the starting pitcher, a little bit of confidence to give us what we needed from him. It just felt good to break out a little bit and see some balls land in the green.”

The Eagles (3-5) scored five runs in the first inning and three more in the second to build an 8-1 lead. The Mustangs (6-2) rallied back with three runs in the third and two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings. However, with each crooked number McDonald County hung up in the middle innings, Joplin answered back with an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame to stave off the comeback.

“You have to credit Joplin because they swung the bat really well,” McDonald County coach Kevin Burgi said. “We talk about how baseball is a boxing match. We knew we were going to get hit a little bit with the way the conditions were, but our kids battled. They found ways to put pressure on Joplin, but Joplin did a great job of doing that to us as well.”

Joplin’s Joe Jasper delivers to home plate during the Eagles’ win over McDonald County on Tuesday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

ON THE MOUND

Mails earned the win for Joplin after allowing six runs, four earned, on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Joe Jasper allowed two unearned runs on one hit, two walks and a strikeout in 1 2/3 relief innings. Ethan Guilford earned the save after pitched two scoreless relief innings, surrendering three hits and walking one.

“Every one of those guys did exactly what we asked them to do in the innings they were out there,” Wolf said. “I am very proud of their effort on the mound today against a really-well coached and good offensive baseball team.”

Cross Dowd started and took the loss after allowing eight runs on eight hits, three walks and a strikeout in 1 1/3 innings. Colton Ruddick allowed three runs, one earned, on three hits, three walks and three strikeouts in three relief innings. Destyn Dowd allowed one hit and walked one in 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings.

GAME ACTION

McDonald County held the first lead on the scoreboard after Cole Martin led the game off with a single before coming around to score on a sacrifice fly from Levi Helm.

Joplin responded quickly, scoring five runs on six hits in the bottom half of the first to take a 5-1 lead.

“We talk a lot about the approach to the game within the game—extending the lead of answering when they score,” Wolf said about responding to the Mustangs’ run right away. “I thought we did a good job of that tonight. We scored in every inning but the sixth, and after you get a big crooked number in the first inning, that puts all the pressure on them to play from behind.”

Joplin’s Brady Mails and Byler Reither (6) converge on an infield popup, with Mails making the catch. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

Bodee Carlson started the bottom of the first with a double to center field. Two batters later, Kyler Stokes singled to left to put runners at the corners. Stokes stole second to get into scoring position with Guilford following with a two-run single to center to give Joplin a 2-1 lead.

Joplin closed out the inning by proving the adage of ‘hitting is contagious’ to be true, as the Eagles followed with three more base hits—highlighted by back to back RBI singles from Layten Copher and Tyler Schumann—to make it five straight singles for Joplin while pushing the lead to 5-1.

“We have been working towards that all year,” Wolf said about the first-inning hit parade. “I hope our guys can see that when they take that kind of approach, we can string some things together and be a pretty good offensive team. … It was a light of line drives around the field after good at-bats with good swings in rhythm and on time.”

Joplin played add-on in the second inning, with Copher tripling to right field, plating Stokes and Justin McReynolds to push the lead to 7-1. Jackson Queen doubled to center with two outs later in the inning to score Copher and extend the lead to 8-1.

McDonald County began its rally in the top of the third, scoring three runs on four hits, highlighted by an RBI single from Helm and an RBI double from Isaac Behm.

Stokes gave the Eagles an insurance run in the bottom of the third with a solo home run to left field.

McDonald County added two unearned runs in the fourth inning on a throwing error by Joplin, with the Eagles adding an unearned run on the bottom half on a fielding error by McDonald County to make the score 10-6.

Fischer Sanny brought the Mustangs within two of the lead with a sac fly in the fifth inning after a run came home on an Eagle throwing error to trim the deficit to 10-8.

“Our guys did a little bit better job of waiting back in the box our second time through,” Burgi said of his team’s offensive approach when rallying. “I thought that was really big because we were able to find more barrel.”

Joplin added its final insurance run in the bottom of the inning when Schumann drove in a run after reaching on an infield hit with the bases loaded.

Joplin’s Layten Copher singles to right field for two RBI in the first inning in the Eagles’ win over McDonald County. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

IN THE BOX

Stokes led Joplin at the plate with three hits, including a home run, to go along with three runs scored and an RBI. Copher finished with two hits, including a triple, and had a team-high three RBI and three runs scored. Guilford doubled, had two hits, two RBI and scored a run. McReynolds had two hits and scored twice. Schumann had a hit and drove in two.

Martin led McDonald County with three hits and two runs scored. Behm doubled on the way to two hits and an RBI. Tucker Walkers had a hit and scored twice.

ON DECK

Joplin hosts Neosho on Thursday.

McDonald County is at Branson on Friday.

BASEBALL ROUNDUP: McDonald County and McAuley earn road wins

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Lucas Davis

MCDONALD COUNTY 5, SHILOH CHRISTIAN 2
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — McDonald County built a three-run lead through the first three innings on the way to a win at Shiloh Christian on Monday.

The Mustangs (6-1) scored a run in the first inning to take the lead before scoring twice in the third inning to go up 3-0. McDonald County added a tally in the fifth before Shiloh Christian got on the scoreboard with two runs in the bottom of the inning to trim the lead to 4-2. The Mustangs wrapped the scoring with an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning.

Isac Behm earned the win after allowing two runs on five hits, a walk and four strikeouts in six innings of work. Cross Dowd earned the save after striking out the side in a perfect seventh inning.

Hudson Ball took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits, five walks and two strikeouts in two innings.

After McDonald County scored a run in the first inning on a passed ball, the Mustangs pushed across two in the third with an RBI single from Behm and a sacrifice fly from Destyn Dowd. Dowd picked up his second RBI in the fifth after scoring Behm from second with a single, and Fisher Sanny wrapped the Mustangs’ scoring with an RBI single in the seventh.

Behm had two hits, including a double, an RBI and scored a run, while Destyn Dowd had a hit and two RBI. Weston Gordon had a hit and scored twice, while Cross Dowd and Levi Helm each had a hit and scored a run. Sanny had two hits and drove in one.

MCAULEY 7, VERONA 1

VERONA, Mo. — McAuley Catholic scored seven runs on 12 hits to beat Verona on Monday.

Kable Reichardt struck out 10 in a complete-game win. Joe Staton led the offense with three hits.

GIRLS HOOPS: Joplin cruises past McDonald County to end regular season

Posted on February 23, 2022 by Lucas Davis

While the Joplin girls basketball team celebrated Senior Night on Monday, the Eagles officially put the regular season to bed with a 63-28 win over McDonald County on Tuesday inside Kaminsky Gymnasium.

Joplin used an early run in the first quarter to take the momentum before a game-defining surge in the second quarter firmly planted the Eagles in front for good.

“I thought the girls came out locked, focused and ready to go tonight,” Joplin coach Luke Floyd said. “They played their tails off. Defensively, I could not be more proud of that first half. The way we moved the ball on offense, I don’t think we settled tonight. We made the extra pass, played good team basketball and that got us out to a big lead.”

Joplin’s Brynn Driver scores on the break in the Eagles’ win over McDonald County in the regular season finale. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

DISTRICT ACTION

Joplin closes the regular season with a 12-14 record, as the program’s win total continues to climb under Coach Floyd, who is in his second year at the helm. The Eagles up from seven wins last season and four wins the year prior.

“It’s another step in the process,” Coach Floyd said of his team’s regular season. “We let some get away that we felt we should have won, but that’s part of changing the culture here. We have to expect to win when we step on the floor. We talked last night about our three seniors (Ella Hafer, Emma Floyd and Brooke Nice) and they are a huge part of our program. Losing them, we are going to need girls in our locker room to step up next year. To see the little girls in our locker room before the game and behind our bench during the game is what it’s about. We want Joplin Lady Eagle basketball to be a destination for little girls and we can take pride that we are starting to turn that corner.”

Joplin heads into the postseason as the hosts of the Class 6 District 5 tournament. The Eagles are the seventh seed and take on second-seeded Nixa (22-4) at 2 p.m. on Saturday inside Kaminsky Gymnasium.

“We need to have a consistent effort,” Coach Floyd said about his upcoming matchup with Nixa. “We want to step on the floor and expect to win the game. They are good and we respect the heck out of Nixa, but we really feel like that is a good matchup for us.”

GAME ACTION

Joplin was the aggressor out of the gates, jumping out to a 13-1 lead over the first five-plus minutes of action. Brynn Driver knocked down a 3-pointer to kick off the scoring in the game. Ella Hafer added a bucket inside and Emma Floyd splashed down a 3-pointer for an 8-0 lead. Brooke Nice converted two charities and ended the early surge with a 3-ball from the top of the key.

“That is our biggest battle this year—confidence,” Coach Floyd said of the early run. “There is a difference between going on the floor expecting to win and going on the floor hoping to win. I told them we should always go out expecting to win, and that was how we came out tonight.”

The Eagles led 17-10 heading into the second quarter when Hafer earned a steal for a score on the break and followed it up with an inside score to push the lead to 21-10. McDonald County got on the board in the second period on a bucket from KaitLynn Townsend, but it was all Joplin from there.

Joplin essentially put the game out of reach after using an 18-0 run to build a 41-14 lead heading into the intermission. Nice started the run with a 3-pointer, while Driver led the run with seven points, including a 3-pointer. Emma Floyd had four points to help fill out the spurt.

“It was all about staying focused after building the lead in the first quarter,” Coach Floyd said. “If you can stretch out an 18-0 run, it’s because you are taking care of the ball and playing good defense. That was one of our strengths tonight—taking care of the basketball. If we are not throwing the ball out of bounds or to the other team, we are a tough team to beat.”

The Eagles pushed the lead to more than 30 out of the half, using a layup off the break by Hafer and back to back 3-pointers by Nice and Driver to make the score 49-14. Joplin cruised through the final 12 minutes of action.

SCORING LEADERS

Driver closed with five 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 21 points, while Nice knocked down three 3-pointers on the way to 16 points. Hafer finished with 13 points and Emma Floyd added seven in the win.

McDonald County was led in scoring by Anna Clarkson’s seven points.

BOYS HOOPS: Neosho beats district rival McDonald County for 2nd win in as many days

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Lucas Davis

ANDERSON, Mo. — Neosho earned its second win in as many days after hitting the road for a 55-43 non-conference win over district rival McDonald County on Tuesday.

The Wildcats (12-6) built a three-possession lead over the Mustangs (7-8) by halftime and pushed the advantage to double digits by the start of the fourth quarter. Neosho was staunch down the stretch on both ends of the floor to hold onto the win.

“Really proud of our team’s effort after a hard-fought game last night,” Neosho coach Zane Culp said to SoMo Sports. “They gutted it out and found ways to win.”

The opening eight minutes of action was back and forth with McDonald County holding a 10-7 lead late before Neosho closed the period on a 7-2 run to take a 12-10 advantage into the second quarter. K’dyn Waters, who scored nine points in the first quarter, led the charge down the stretch with four points, while Carter Baslee scored inside and drew contact for a three-point play with 48 seconds left.

The Mustangs, playing without Teddy Reedybacon, got on the board first in the second quarter with a bucket from Cross Dowd. The Wildcats answered with the next nine points, four from Kael Smith and five from Waters, to take a 21-12 advantage.

Pierce Harmon went 1-for-2 at the foul line on three straight possessions for the Mustangs to cut the lead to 21-15 before Neosho closed the first half with another 7-2 run. Carter Fenske knocked down a 3-pointer from the wing before Baslee closed the second period with two buckets inside to give the Wildcats a 28-17 advantage at the intermission.

Neosho played with the double-digit margin throughout the third quarter, pushing the lead to as high as 14 when Brock Franklin hit a corner 3-pointer at the 3:10 mark on the clock. The Wildcats ultimately took a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, 42-30.

Sterling Woods drilled a 3-pointer for McDonald County to open the final eight minutes of play to trim the lead to nine, 42-33, but Neosho pushed the lead back up to 16 points and put the game out of reach with a 6-0 run highlighted by four points from Smith inside with 2:16 to play.

Waters finished with 20 points to lead all scorers, while Smith finished with 11 points for Neosho. Baslee added seven points and Isaiah Green finished with five.

Woods had three 3-pointers and finished with 16 points to lead McDonald County. Harmon added 10 and Eli McClain finished with eight.

Neosho is back on the road for a matchup at Forsyth on Friday.

McDonald County hosts Cassville on Tuesday.

PREP HOOPS: Carthage sweeps twinbill at McDonald County

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Jason Peake

ANDERSON, Mo. — Stellar guard play proved key as Carthage swept a non-conference prep basketball doubleheader from McDonald County on Thursday night.

Led by junior point guard Kianna Yates, the Carthage girls rolled to a 53-32 win over the Mustangs in the opener.

In the nightcap, Max Templeman and Joel Pugh propelled the Carthage boys to a convincing 66-43 win over the Mustangs.

CARTHAGE GIRLS 53, MCDONALD COUNTY 32

The Tigers scored the game’s first 12 points and never looked back.

“We exploded out of the gates with a 12-0 run to start the game,” Tigers coach Scott Moore said. “When we make baskets and get into our press package, we can hang some points on people. Our offense triggers our defense and we had some really good scoring runs tonight.”

The visitors failed to score in the final four minutes of the first period, but Carthage led 12-6 entering the second quarter.

The Tigers outscored the Mustangs 15-2 in the second quarter to take a comfortable 27-8 lead at the break.

“Our shots quit falling for a few minutes and allowed them back into the game,” Moore noted. “I’m immensely proud of our defense tonight, especially in the second quarter where we held them to just two points.”

Carthage was up 37-14 at the end of the third period en route to the lopsided win.

McDonald County outscored Carthage 18-16 in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers’ lead was never in jeopardy.

Carthage improved to 6-7 on the season.

Yates led Carthage with 22 points, with 11 in each half. Lauren Choate added 14 points with four treys for the Tigers, while Presley Probert chipped in seven points.

“It was good to get a lot of players major minutes tonight,” Moore said. “Kianna Yates is our constant catalyst every night. What we need is a consistent second and third scorer for us. Sometimes, that’s Sophie Shannon or Maggie Boyd. Tonight, freshman Lauren Choate found her groove and swished in four threes. She has that sniper mentality and she will become an even bigger threat as she gains more varsity experience.”

Addy Leach scored 11 points for the Mustangs and Samara Smith added nine.

Carthage will host Carl Junction on Tuesday in Central Ozark Conference action.

McDonald County (1-11) is at Reeds Spring on Monday.

CARTHAGE BOYS 66, MCDONALD COUNTY 43

Now receiving votes in the MBCA’s Class 6 poll, Carthage hiked its record to 10-2 with a solid road win.

Backcourt mates Templeman and Pugh combined to score 38 points for the Tigers. Templeman scored 20 points and Pugh added 18 points with four 3-pointers. Fellow guard Justin Ray added nine points for the visitors.

The Tigers used an early 12-0 run to take a 15-4 lead. By the end of the first quarter, Carthage held a 19-10 advantage.

A pair of hoops in transition from Templeman extended Carthage’s lead to 25-15.

Teddy Reedybacon, a 6-10 senior center, scored seven points in the second quarter to keep the Mustangs within striking distance.

But Britt Coy scored in the lane and Pugh drilled a 3-pointer just before the buzzer, giving Carthage a 30-18 halftime cushion. Pugh had 11 points in the opening half.

The Tigers began the second half on a 7-2 run to go up 17 at 37-20.

The Mustangs received treys from both Pierce Harmon and Cole Martin late in the third period, but the hosts trailed 50-33 entering the fourth quarter.

Templeman’s conventional 3-point play and five straight points from Pugh gave the Tigers a 58-33 lead early in the final frame.

Reedybacon scored 14 points to lead the Mustangs, who fell to 7-7 on the season. Also for the Mustangs, Eli McClain contributed seven points and Harmon had six.

Carthage will host Carl Junction on Tuesday in a COC ‘Super Night.’

McDonald County is at Providence Academy on Tuesday.

PREP HOOPS: Carl Junction girls, McDonald County boys begin ’22 with wins

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Jason Peake

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Taking the court for the first time in 2022, Carl Junction’s girls and McDonald County’s boys recorded prep basketball victories on Monday night at Carl Junction High School.

However, those respective victories were quite different.

In a non-conference doubleheader, Carl Junction’s girls grinded out a 49-34 win over the Mustangs, while McDonald County’s boys rode a huge first quarter to an 85-50 victory in the nightcap.

CARL JUNCTION GIRLS 49, MCDONALD COUNTY 34

In the team’s first action since Dec. 15, Carl Junction held a 14-point lead by the end of the first quarter. But the Bulldogs only outscored the Mustangs by one, 31-30, the rest of the way.

“We started off really well,” Carl Junction coach Brad Shorter said. “We made some substitutions and we quit communicating and we didn’t do some things we’re capable of doing. I saw some good things over the break, but I think our application is really poor right now.”

The Bulldogs hit four treys in the opening frame en route to an 18-4 lead. But the Mustangs outscored the Bulldogs 18-12 in the second quarter, trimming their deficit to eight at the break, 30-22.

Destiny Buerge scored seven straight points during the third quarter and Kylie Scott’s coast-to-coast layup gave the Bulldogs a 41-27 cushion entering the final frame.

In a low-scoring fourth quarter, one where both teams struggled, Carl Junction outscored Mac County 8-7 for the final margin.

“We may have been a little rusty tonight, but for the first four or five minutes of the game, we looked pretty good,” Shorter said. “If we can’t carry that over to the rest of the game we have to do some soul searching and just be better at what we do. I felt like we were pretty robotic tonight. We have to be better defensively. We just have to come together as a team, just get out there and play and see what happens.”

Buerge led Carl Junction with 19 points, while Anna Burch scored 10 points. Also for the Bulldogs (8-3), Scott contributed nine points and Klohe Burk chipped in seven points.

“I thought Anna Burch was superb off the bench,” Shorter said, noting the sophomore forward had 11 rebounds.

Samara Smith scored 12 points for the Mustangs, while Anna Clarkson added seven points and Kaitlynn Townsend had five.

The CJ girls will take on Fatima at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Southwest Baptist University. McDonald County hosts Carthage on Thursday.

MCDONALD COUNTY BOYS 85, CARL JUNCTION 50

With Cross Dowd’s hot-shooting leading the way, the Mustangs came out firing on all cylinders in an impressive first quarter. McDonald County hit eight 3-pointers in the opening frame, six by Dowd, and the visitors took a commanding 34-12 lead into the second quarter.

“Our team played a great first quarter,” Mustangs coach Brandon Joines said. “Everything fed off Cross Dowd’s hot start. And 34 points in a quarter…that’s tough to come back from for anybody. That’s more points than we’ve been averaging in a half. It was a great team game overall where one guy got to stand out.”

The Mustangs led 48-26 at halftime and 78-46 at the end of the third period en route to the lopsided win.

McDonald County’s Cross Dowd scored 31 points on Monday against Carl Junction. Dowd hit nine 3-pointers. File photo by Shawn Fowler.

A junior guard, Dowd erupted for a career-high 31 points.

The 5-foot-9 sharpshooter made nine 3-pointers, a layup and two free throws.

“Cross is very capable of doing that…he’ll pull up from anywhere,” Joines said. “When someone’s doing that, hitting six 3-pointers in a quarter, everything else comes easier. We ended up with a lot of nice looks down low for Eli McClain and Teddy (Reedybacon). Pierce Harmon and Sterling Woods found driving lanes and Cole (Martin) was more than willing to distribute the ball to every one of them. Everyone got involved, including Toby Moore, Weston Gordon and Destyn Dowd off the bench. It was just a good team win.”

In addition to Cross Dowd, three others reached double figures for the Mustangs, as McClain scored 15, Harmon had 11 and Woods chipped in 10.

Kyler Perry scored 14 points to lead the Bulldogs, while Ayden Bard added 12 points and Ky Warren had 11.

Perry hit four treys, while Warren made three 3-pointers and Bard added two makes from long distance.

The Mustangs were coming off a runner-up finish at the Neosho Holiday Classic, while the Bulldogs were competing for the first time since Dec. 18.

Carl Junction (3-7) will compete at this week’s Kaminsky Gymnasium at Joplin High School, while McDonald County (7-5) is at Webb City on Tuesday night.

“Coming into the new year, we wanted to get something going and that’s a heck of a start,” Joines said of Monday’s win. “Tomorrow night will be a tough one at Webb City. We’ll have to come out and be ready to play with some grit. I know we will.”

LADY MUSTANG CLASSIC: Carl Junction opens tourney with win; Webb City and McDonald County fall

Posted on December 14, 2021December 14, 2021 by Lucas Davis

ANDERSON, Mo. — Carl Junction kicked off its third tournament of the young season with a 69-49 win over Alma on Monday at the Lady Mustang Classic hosted by McDonald County High School.

Also locally, Webb City fell 50-22 to Bentonville West, while the host Mustangs fell to Fort Smith Southside by the score of 58-37.

CARL JUNCTION OPENS THIRD TOURNAMENT WITH WIN

Carl Junction is playing in its third tournament of the season and after winning the CJ Classic as the hosts two weeks ago and finishing second at the Freeman Lady Eagle Classic last weekend, the Bulldogs started the Lady Mustang Classic on a high note—defeating Alma 69-49 in the opening round to move onto the semifinals.

“It is always our focus to prepare ourselves to be successful at the end of the year, and hopefully we can make a postseason run,” Carl Junction coach Brad Shorter said when asked how tournament play helps prepare for the postseason. “Obviously, with the state changing the rule to being able to play in as many tournaments as you want, we’re going to get into as many tournaments as we can in the next few years to prepare us for tournament play at the end of the year. I am very proud of our kids. Three tournaments in three weeks with an extra game in there, they have to be tired. I am tired and worn out. They fought really hard tonight against a really good team.”

After building an eight-point lead by the intermission, Carl Junction (6-2) started the second half on a 12-0 run to take all of the momentum on the way to building a 20-point lead. The margin pushed as high as 26 in the second half, with the Bulldogs cruising to their third opening-round tournament win of the season.

“I thought our kids probably played our best game all year as far as playing clean and efficiently,” Shorter added. “We took good shots, moved the ball extremely well and rebounded well. When you play a zone (defense) like we do, teams are going to hit 3s just like if you press you’re going to give up layups. Being able to sift through it and understand how to close out on shooters and show to non-shooters, our kids did a really good job of that tonight. They also did an excellent job of getting hands on passes and in the passing lane, and I thought that was the difference tonight.”

GAME ACTION

Carl Junction led 13-12 in the first quarter after Alma’s Kenzie Rushing converted from the perimeter with less than two and a half minutes to play. The Bulldogs responded with a quick 8-0 spurt to build a 21-12 lead. The run was fueled by a midrange bucket from Anna Burch, a second-chance 3-pointer from Klohe Burk and a 3-ball from Hali Shorter, with the assist going to Burk off the drive and kick.

“It is a confidence builder,” Coach Shorter said of the early run. “Our kids shot it well tonight, but I thought we took good shots and I thought we passed the ball so much better. When we pass the ball that well, we put kids in a position to catch and shoot.”

The Bulldogs pushed the first-half advantage to 38-24 with 1:17 to play in the second quarter when Destiny Buerge came up with seven points in a 9-2 run, including a 3-pointer in the corner off the assist from Kylie Scott.

“Kylie is a stud,” Shorter said of Scott’s ability to influence a game. “She catches the ball at the high post and there are so many things she can do. She can drag it out and hit a 3, she can drive to the basket and she can pass really well. Her presence is huge. We lost that last year about halfway through the year, so you can see what kind of an impact she has with this team.”

Alma didn’t go away easily however, switching to the press the final 60-plus seconds of the period and forcing CJ into a couple mistakes while closing the half on a 7-1 run to trim the deficit to eight, 39-31. Presli Taylor and Halyn Carmack each converted from the perimeter in the run.

Carl Junction punched back to start the second half, essentially putting the game away by opening the third quarter on a 12-0 run to build a 20-point lead, 51-31, while keeping the Airedales scoreless for the first four and a half minutes of action.

“We focus on the first five minutes of the second half,” Coach Shorter said. “We talk about the little things like that because I think it is important for our girls to understand that it is 0-0 at halftime. Whatever lead we have is a little cushion, but when we come out, it is 0-0 and we want to see what you’ve got. I challenged them and they rose to the occasion for sure.”

Scott started the run with a bucket inside before Buerge knocked down a stepback 3-ball from the wing off the assist from Scott. After two free throws by Buerge, Burk splashed home a triple from the corner with the assist going to Scott. Ellie Lawson closed out the run with a bucket.

“She took great shots,” Shorter said of Burk. “She was shot-ready when she caught it, and she can hit them from 25 feet out. She took great shots and she passed the ball well. She has been playing outstanding, and so has Ellie Lawson. She does so many important little things, being in on plays, getting tips and keeping the ball alive. I am so proud of her, and Hali, too.”

The Bulldogs added an 8-0 run early in the fourth to push the lead to a game-high 26 points, 63-37.

SCORING LEADERS

Buerge led all scorers with 31 points, 13 coming in the second quarter. Burk made three 3-pointers on the way to 15 points, while Shorter and Scott each finished with six points.

Taylor had 15 to lead Alma in the scorebook, while Jordan Gramlich finished with eight and Rushing with seven.

UP NEXT

Carl Junction takes on Fort Smith Southside in the Lady Mustang Classic semifinals at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

BIG SECOND QUARTER LEADS WOLVERINES PAST CARDINALS

Webb City trailed by four after the first eight minutes before Bentonville West went on a 15-2 run in the second period en route to the 50-22 victory in the opening round of tournament play on Monday.

The Cardinals fall to 2-4 and match up with Frontenac at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Bentonville West led 9-5 after the first quarter before outscoring Webb City by 13 in the second quarter to take a 24-7 lead into the intermission. The Wolverines added to their lead in each of the final two quarters on the way to clinching the win.

Ripley Shanks led Webb City with four points, while Izzy Lopez, Kate Brownfield and Sami Mancini each finished with three in the loss.

Laynee Tapp had 15 to lead Bentonville West, while Ivorionna Johnson had eight.

FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE PULLS AWAY FROM MUSTANGS

McDonald County went into the intermission trailing 23-20 before Fort Smith Southside outscored the Mustangs 17-7 in the third quarter to swing the momentum. The Mavericks didn’t let up down the stretch to seal the 58-37 win.

The Mustangs match up against Alma at 6 on Tuesday.

Samara Smith led McDonald County with 11 points, while Addy Leach closed in double figures with 10. KaitLynn Townsend finished with six points in the loss.

Sierra Smith and Sophia Neihouse finished with 15 points to lead Fort Smith Southside, while Addi Branham and Dylon McCord finished with five each.

CJ CLASSIC: Joplin suffers first loss of ‘21-22 to hot-shooting Nevada; Mustangs fall to Vikings

Posted on November 30, 2021 by Jason Peake

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The Joplin High School girls basketball team took the court on Monday with the goal of starting the 2021-22 season with three straight wins.

The Nevada Tigers didn’t cooperate.

The 1-2 punch of Maddy Majors and Clara Swearingen combined for 43 points and led Nevada to a 50-41 victory over Joplin in an opening round contest of the 45th annual CJ Classic on Monday at Carl Junction High School.

It was Joplin’s first setback of the winter campaign after a pair of victories.

“We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, but the disappointing part is having to coach effort,” Joplin coach Luke Floyd said. “If we’re ever going to change what we are as a program, we’ve got to come with effort. Defensively, it’s too easy to stand and watch. This is our third game and it’s the third game where we were out-rebounded by a smaller team. The girls have to make the decision of what kind of team we want to be. We’re going to have to change our bad habits if we hope to become the team we want to be.”

Joplin’s Ella Hafer drives to the hoop against Nevada’s Maddy Majors during Monday’s opener of the CJ Classic. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

Backcourt mates Majors and Swearingen proved to be a dynamic duo for the Tigers, who improved to 2-0.

A 5-foot-6 junior guard, Majors scored 23 points and hit five 3-pointers to lead Nevada. A 5-8 sophomore guard, Swearingen added 20 points and knocked down three treys.

“Clara got into foul trouble early, so we had to lean on Maddy,” Nevada coach Blake Howarth said. “She finished with 23 points and that’s what she’s capable of. But it was a complete team effort. To play defense like we did, it’s a huge hats off to all of the girls. It’s a sloppy win and we have some things we can improve on.”

Senior guard Brooke Nice scored 15 points and hit a trio of 3-pointers to lead Joplin. Senior forwards Emma Floyd and Ella Hafer added nine and eight points, respectively, for the Eagles, while junior guard Brynn Driver contributed seven points.

Facing a 1-3-1 defense, the Tigers caught fire from beyond the arc in the second quarter, as two 3-pointers from Swearingen and a trey from Majors gave Nevada a 26-15 advantage with 3:38 remaining in the first half.

“Nevada did a great job of establishing the tempo early,” Coach Floyd said. “They had great ball movement and were able to get open looks for their shooters, who knocked down shots all game. I was disappointed in our effort. We were very slow on the defensive end and never really adjusted. Nevada simply out-worked us all game long.”

However, the Eagles finished the first half on a 7-2 run, as Emma Floyd and Hafer recorded field goals before Nice knocked down a 3-pointer.

Nevada’s Clara Swearingen and Joplin’s Isabella Yust battle for a rebound during Monday’s game at Carl Junction. Photos by Shawn Fowler.

Nevada was up 28-22 at halftime, but the Eagles outscored the Tigers 11-8 in the third period. With that, the Tigers were clinging to a 36-33 lead after three quarters.

Joplin pulled within two early in the final frame after a charity from Emma Floyd, but the Tigers finished strong.

Nevada outscored Joplin 17-8 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

“We had a lot of single-digit losses last year and we returned a lot of experience this year,” Howarth said. “That experience showed tonight. We bent, but didn’t break. I’m just super proud of our girls.”

The Eagles (2-1) had their chances and were within striking distance all game, but they were unable to get over the hump.

“We battled back and we moved the ball pretty well,” Coach Floyd said. “But we missed too many free throws and way too many layups. And we can’t dig ourselves a hole before we decide to play.”

Nevada meets Parkview in the semifinals at 7 on Tuesday night, while Joplin meets McDonald County at 4 in the consolation semifinals.

Joplin’s Brooke Nice hits a 3-pointer against Nevada on Monday night at the CJ Classic. All photos by Shawn Fowler.

PARKVIEW 62, MCDONALD COUNTY 49

Parkview took control early and never looked back.

McDonald County’s Reagan Myrick drives to the basket against Parkview’s Tara Masten on Monday night.

Brooklynn Masten poured in 25 points to lead the Vikings, while Tara Masten added 12.

Adasyn Leach led the Mustangs with 16 points, while Carlee Cooper added 10 and Reagan Myrick chipped in eight.

The Vikings led 15-8 at the end of the first quarter. Treys from Olivia Sutterfield and Tara Masten gave the Vikings a comfortable 27-11 advantage with just under four minutes to play in the first half.

Parkview held a 33-19 lead at intermission and a comfy 50-27 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

The Mustangs won the fourth quarter 22-12, but it was too little, too late.

The Vikings improved to 2-0, while the Mustangs slipped to 0-2.

The CJ Classic is sponsored by Freeman Sports Medicine.

McDonald County’s Roslynn Huston puts up a shot in the lane against Parkview on Monday night at the CJ Classic.

DISTRICT SOFTBALL: Webb City rallies for 3-2 win over McDonald County in the district championship

Posted on October 16, 2021October 16, 2021 by Lucas Davis

NEOSHO, Mo. — Down to their final three outs, the Webb City Cardinals rallied for three runs in the seventh inning on the way to a 3-2 win over McDonald County in the Class 4 District 6 championship game on Friday.

The Mustangs end the season with a 24-7 record and graduate seniors Madeline McCall, Melanie Gillmig, Mariana Salas, Madison Grider, Adasyn Lynch, and Zoe Parish.

IN THE CIRCLE

Laney Taylor earned the complete-game win after allowing two runs on four hits, three walks and four strikeouts in seven innings.

McCall took the tough-luck loss after giving up three runs on five hits, four walks and 11 strikeouts.

GAME ACTION

The Mustangs used the long ball to take the lead in the bottom of the second. Jacie Frencken jumped all over the first pitch she saw and drove it over the wall for a solo home run to give McDonald County a 1-0 lead.

McDonald County added insurance in the bottom of the fifth inning. Parish drew a walk with one out in the inning and came around to score later in the frame off a deep single from Nevaeh Dodson to push the lead to 2-0.

It all came down to the team’s final three outs for Webb City after going scoreless for the first six innings of play. Kaylyn Gilbert started the top of the seventh off with a triple to right-center field. Gilbert came around to score on an Emalee Lamar single to trim the lead to 2-1.

After a lineout from Lauren Hicks for the second out and a walk to Ripley Shanks, Dawsyn Decker singled over the third baseman to load the bases. Peyton Hawkins followed with a single up the middle that got through the wickets that pushed across two runs home to give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead.

UP NEXT

Webb City hits the road for a matchup against Rolla in the quarterfinal round of the Class 4 state tournament on Oct. 21.

PREP SOFTBALL: McDonald County pulls away from Neosho in Class 4 District 6 semifinals

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Lucas Davis

NEOSHO, Mo. — Top-seeded McDonald County made the most of the miscues by fourth-seeded Neosho on the way to a 13-2 win in five innings in the Class 4 District 6 semifinals on Thursday at the Neosho Athletic Complex.

The Mustangs (24-6) plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first before the Wildcats cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the third. McDonald County hung three runs on the board in the third before scoring eight times in the fourth to build an insurmountable cushion. Of the 13 runs scored by McDonald County, just four of them were earned as Neosho committed six errors on the night.

“From the very first inning, we made adjustments up and down the lineup to put the ball in play and put pressure on them,” McDonald County coach Heath Alumbaugh said. “In playoff softball, you have to put pressure on a defense and see what happens. We were able to do that. … It was a great team win.”

Neosho finishes the season with a 14-14 record, while graduating seniors Kaitlyn Killion, Lili Graue, Alivia Campbell and Maddie Carpenter.

McDonald County advances to the district title game for the fourth straight season and takes on third-seeded Webb City at 5 p.m. in the district finals on Friday. The contest is a rematch of last season’s district championship, with Webb City walking away with a 5-0 win.

IN THE CIRCLE

Madeline McCall earned the complete-game win after allowing two runs, one earned, on one hit, four walks and 10 strikeouts in five innings of work.

“Madeline McCall is a fierce competitor and has been for four years,” Alumbaugh said. “She is going to continue to be for however long we have her for the rest of this season. That is what she came out and did tonight. She came out and fought through it.”

Chloe Patterson started and took the loss for Neosho after allowing nine runs, three earned, on six hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings, while Carleigh Kinnaird allowed four unearned runs on two walks in a third of an inning.

GAME ACTION

McDonald County got the scoring started in the bottom of the first when Reagan Myrick reached on a throwing error that allowed a run to cross home in the process for a 1-0 lead. The Mustangs added a second run later in the inning on an RBI groundout by Adasyn Leach to make the score 2-0.

“Early runs can be the difference,” Alumbaugh said. “It just ratchets up the pressure right away. If you have a chance to get those runs early, you have to take advantage.”

The Wildcats cut the lead in half in the top of the third when Graue reached on the free pass before coming around to score on an RBI single by McKaylie Forrest to make the score 2-1.

The Mustangs responded in the bottom of the third, with Carlee Cooper tripling to left-center before touching home on an infield hit by Myrick to push the lead back to two runs, 3-1. A pair of runners crossed home later in the inning on a Neosho error on a fly ball with two outs to make the score 5-1.

“We challenge our girls to win or tie every inning,” Alumbaugh said about his team’s ability to answer back after giving up a run. “At times, teams are going to get the best of you and push your back against the wall. But you have to come back fighting, and I felt like we did a good job of that today.”

Neosho added a run in the top of the fourth when Maddie Carpenter scored on a wild pitch, but McDonald County once again answered back in the bottom half when Leach singled to center with the bases loaded to plate a pair of runs and push the lead to 7-2. McDonald County put the game away later in the inning when a run scored on an error before back-to-back walks with the bases loaded forced in runs to make the score 10-2. Three more runs came around to score on another fielding error with the bases loaded pushed the lead to 13-2.

AT THE PLATE

Cooper had three hits, three RBI and scored twice to lead McDonald County. Leach had one hit, three RBI and scored a run, while Nevaeah Dodson had a hit, scored twice and drove in one.

Forrest had the lone hit and RBI for Neosho.

DISTRICT SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: McDonald County cruises in district opener; Joplin and Carl Junction seasons come to an end

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Lucas Davis

MCDONALD COUNTY BLASTS WAY PAST PARKVIEW IN DISTRICT OPENER

NEOSHO, Mo. — Top-seeded McDonald County started off Class 4 District 6 play with a bang, erupting for nine runs in each of the first two innings on the way to an 18-0 win over eight-seeded Parkview in three innings on Tuesday.

Nevaeh Dodson earned a three-inning no-hit win, striking out eight for McDonald County.

Isabelle Vergarza took the loss after allowing 18 runs, 16 earned, on seven hits and 11 walks.

After the first two batters reached on a walk, Reagan Myrick brought two runs home with a double to give the Mustangs the early advantage. Carlee Cooper added a bases-loaded, three-run double later in the inning to make the score 8-0 before scoring on an RBI single from Myrick, her second run-scoring hit of the inning.

After collecting five walks and two hit-by-pitches in the first, McDonald County walked four more times in the second. Dodson added a two-run double and Mariana Salas had an RBI single. Myrick added a two-run double as well.

Myrick had three hits, three RBI and three runs scored to lead the Mustangs. Cooper had a hit, three RBI and scored three times.

McDonald County plays the winner of fourth-seeded Neosho and fifth-seeded Branson at 6:30 on Thursday.

REPUBLIC RALLIES FOR 6-4 WIN OVER JOPLIN

NIXA, Mo — Sixth-seeded Joplin scored twice in the top of the fifth to break a 2-2 tie before third-seeded Republic rallied for four runs in the sixth inning on the way to a 6-4 win in the Class 5 District 6 opening round on Tuesday.

With the loss, Joplin ends the season with a 16-14 record.

Mara Lakey earned the win after allowing four runs, two earned, on nine hits, four walks and three strikeouts over seven innings.

Jill McDaniel took the loss after allowing six runs, two earned, on eight hits, three walks and four strikeouts in six innings.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the top of the fifth, Maria Loum came around to score on an error to give Joplin a 3-2 lead. Jadyn Pankow followed with a lineout to right field that brought a run home on the sac fly to push the lead to 4-2.

Republic cut the lead to one in the bottom of the sith when Jenna Belcher doubled home a run on a line drive to left. An RBI fielder’s choice in the next at-bat tied the game at 4-all. Following an error on Joplin and a walk, Emi Essary singled to left to plate a pair of runs to give Republic the 6-4 advantage.

Republic takes on second-seeded Ozark at 6:30 on Wednesday in the district semifinals.

WILLARD BEATS CARL JUNCTION 8-0 TO OPEN DISTRICTS

NEOSHO, Mo. — Seventh-seeded Carl Junction’s season came to an end on Tuesday when the Bulldogs fell 8-0 to second-seeded Willard in the Class 4 District 6 opening round.

The Tigers (22-7) scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead before adding two runs in each the fourth, fifth and sixth innings en route to the win.

Hannah Burks earned the complete-game win after pitching seven scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out 16.

Hannah Cole took the loss after allowing eight runs, four earned, on 12 hits, a walk and two strikeouts in six innings of work for Carl Junction (2-24).

Ryley Ritchey homered on the way to three hits, two RBI and a run scored to lead Willard at the plate. Alyson Miller doubled twice and finished with three hits, an RBI and a run scored.

Hannah Cantrell and Madi Olds picked up the only hits for Carl Junction.

Willard takes on the winner of third-seeded Webb City and sixth-seeded Hillcrest at 5 p.m. on Thursday in the district semifinals.

CARTHAGE INVITE: Carthage takes two losses, while McDonald County splits in bracket play

Posted on October 10, 2021October 10, 2021 by Lucas Davis

CARTHAGE, Mo. — The hosts Carthage Tigers dropped games against Ozark and McDonald County, while the Mustangs earned a split in Gold bracket play of the 22nd annual Carthage Invitational on Saturday.

OZARK 3, CARTHAGE 1

Both teams traded runs in the third inning before Ozark plated two in the top of the fifth on the way to a 3-1 win over Carthage.

Savannah Hughes earned the win in the circle after allowing one run on four hits in five innings. Jordyn Foley earned the save after pitching two scoreless innings in relief, striking out one and walking one.

Jensyn Elder took the loss after allowing three runs, one earned, on eight hits, four walks and 10 strikeouts in seven innings.

Hughes gave her team the lead in the top of the third when she came up with an RBI single to center with two outs.

Ashlyn Brust tied the game in the bottom of the third when she scored Ashlynn Jackson with a single to right field.

Mekaylee Linnebur gave Ozark the lead in the fifth inning when she led off the top half of the frame with a solo home run to center. Natalie Morgan picked up a bases-loaded walk later in the inning to wrap the scoring in the game.

Kenna Mayfield had three hits and scored twice, while Morgan finished with two hits for Ozark.

Mary Grace Richmond, Brooklynn Dolon-Main, Elder and Brust all had hits for Carthage. Brust had the team’s only RBI.

MCDONALD COUNTY 5, CARTHAGE 0

McDonald County scored two runs in each of the first two innings before adding insurance in the seventh inning en route to a 5-0 win over Carthage.

Madeline McCall earned the complete-game win for McDonald County after blanking Carthage over seven innings, allowing one hit, walking three and striking out 13.

Elder took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits, two walks and 10 strikeouts in seven innings.

Jacie Frencken doubled home Reagan Myrick, while McCall followed with an RBI single to right to give the Mustangs a 2-0 cushion over the Tigers.

Mariana Salas drew a bases-loaded walk in the second to force home a run, with Carlee Cooper singling home a run to center two batters later to make the score 4-0. Katelynn Townsend scored on a wild pitch in the seventh to cap the scoring.

OZARK 14, MCDONALD COUNTY 4

Ozark scored in each of the first five innings and capped the game with a four-run seventh inning on the way to the win.

The Tigers scored twice in the first and second innings, once in the third, two more times in the fourth and three times in the fifth to build a 10-3 lead. After Ozark scored four in the seventh, McDonald County scored once in the seventh but the rally stopped there.

Foley earned the win after allowing three runs, four earned, on nine hits, two walks and four strikeouts in seven innings.

Nevaeh Dodson took the loss after allowing 14 runs, six earned, on 17 hits and six strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Abby Ford had three hits, scored four times and drove in one, while Courtney Merrell had three hits and an RBI. Brooklyn Hasler and Linnebur also had three hits. Linnebur finished with two RBI and two runs scored.

Dodson had three hits and scored twice to lead the Mustangs.

PREP SOFTBALL: McDonald County blasts Monett, Mustangs improve to 19-5

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Jason Peake

Madeline McCall tossed a three-inning no-hitter as the McDonald County softball team recorded a 15-0 win over Monett on Tuesday.

The Mustangs used a 12-run third inning to blow the game open.

McDonald County’s Nevaeh Dodson and Adasyn Leach had two hits apiece, while McCall drove in three runs. Dodson, Jacie Frencken and Melanie Gilming had two RBI apiece.

Reagan Myrick scored three runs for the Mustangs, while Dodson, Frencken and Leach all scored two runs apiece.

McCall was the winning pitcher. She struck out eight, walked two and did not allow a hit in three innings of work.

Monett’s Kendra Parsons took the loss.

McDonald County is now 19-5. The Mustangs will be among the teams competing at the Carthage Invitational this weekend.

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Joplin rallies for 3-1 win over McDonald County

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Lucas Davis

ANDERSON, Mo. — After dropping the opening set, Joplin rallied back to earn a 3-1 win over McDonald County on Monday.

The Mustangs started off with the momentum after winning the first game 25-20. The Eagles turned their fortunes around quickly after winning the final three sets 25-20, 25-14 and 25-14 to seal the victory.

Angelina Schramm led Joplin with 20 kills and five digs, while Abby Edwards had 11 kills, and six digs. Emma Floyd had eight kills and Allie Lawrence finished with six kills and four aces. Kaya Cooper had 23 assists, while Abby Hembree finished with 20 assists. Paisley Parker had 22 digs.

Megan Elwood had 11 kills and 17 digs to lead McDonald County. Samara Smith had 10 kills and Kloe Myers finished with seven. Abby Wiseman finished with 33 assists, while Kirklyn Kasischke had 18 digs.

Joplin is at Ozark on Tuesday.

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Carl Junction wins Dr. Jeffrey Knutzen CJ Classic; Hylton sets Bulldog ace record

Posted on September 26, 2021 by Lucas Davis

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — After a long day of volleyball that started at 8:30 in the morning, the Carl Junction Bulldogs wrapped up the Dr. Jeffrey Knutzen CJ Classic volleyball tournament with a 25-16, 25-21 win in the Gold Bracket championship over Rogers on Saturday.

“We started off a little bit slow this morning, but I don’t think you want to start off hot,” Carl Junction coach Cheryl Sharples said. “You kind of want to build on your day and that is what we did. We continued to get better and by the end of the day, we were playing our best volleyball we could have played today. I don’t think it’s our best volleyball, but the best we could play today.”

History was also made on Saturday, as Carl Junction senior Jessa Hylton etched her name in the record books during CJ’s 25-10, 25-16 win over Neosho in pool play. Hylton had three aces against Hollister in the opening pool play match to tie the Bulldog career record of 135 held by Katelyn Joyner (2008-10). Hylton added an ace in service against the Wildcats to stand alone in the record books. She finished with 12 total aces throughout the tournament and currently sits at 144.

“It is really awesome,” Hylton said about having her name in the CJ record books. “I just feel like my teammates push me every time I serve. I always hear them support me, pushing me to get better. I feel like they’re the ones who allowed me to set this record. I am thankful for that.”

“Jess has always been a great server,” Sharples said. “She is very effective and when she goes after it, it is a hard ball to pass. I am really excited for her to get that record.”

TIDBITS

This was the second straight season the Bulldogs won the CJ Classic. Even more impressive, the Bulldogs didn’t lose a single set in the six matches they won on Saturday.

“I think we have an opportunity to do some really great things this year,” Sharples said of her team. “If we stay healthy and everybody is playing at the level they can play, I think we can compete with anybody.”

“This is our first time going back-to-back, so I am hoping they continue it next year,” Hylton said. “This is a big deal for us and I am very proud of our team. If we can keep continuing to get better, we are going to keep progressing towards big things in the future.”

QUEENS OF THE COURT

Carl Junction advanced to the championship of the Gold Bracket after starting the day with pool play wins over Hollister (25-14, 25-10), Neosho and Pittsburg (25-7, 25-16) before earning a 25-20, 25-12 win over Heritage in the quarterfinals and a 25-19, 25-12 win over Springfield Central in the semifinals.

The Bulldogs played neck and neck with the Mountaineers in the first game of the championship before a three-point service run from Destiny Buerge gave CJ a 13-8 advantage. Hylton added a kill moments later that was followed by an ace from Kylie Scott to push the lead to 16-8.

The lead improved to 18-10 on a kill from Maggie Brown before Carl Junction used a four-point service run by Hylton that included two aces to build a 24-14 lead. Logan Jones finished off the first game with a kill.

Rogers jumped out in front 6-1 to start the second set before Carl Junction cut the lead to 8-7 on two aces from Hylton and a kill from Buerge. The Bulldogs took their first lead of the second set, 11-10, on an ace from Ellie Lawson.

With the Mountaineers up 17-16, a kill from Buerge, Hylton and Buerge again gave Carl Junction a 19-17 lead they’d never relinquish. Hylton added two more kills in the waning stages, while Scott, Jones and Karissa Chase also added kills on the way to the Bulldogs clinching the title game.

“That was key,” Sharples said about the Bulldogs ability to win the championship in two games. “We need to take control of matches and make sure we don’t get ourselves in situations we don’t want to be in.”

Hylton finished the CJ Classic with 44 kills, 12 aces, 12 digs and five blocks, while Jones added 120 assists, 12 aces, 22 kills, 14 digs and three blocks. Buerge had 47 digs and 25 kills, with Scott adding 21 kills and eight blocks. Olivia Vediz had 45 digs in the libero spot.

TIGERS FALL IN THE GOLD SEMIFINALS

Carthage clinched a berth to the Gold Bracket after earning wins over Nevada (25-16, 25-16) and McDonald County (25-6, 25-12) and splitting with Central (25-13, 14-25) in pool play. Taking on Webb City to open bracket play, Carthage earned a straight-set win (26-24, 25-22) to advance to the semifinals against Rogers, where the Tigers fell in three sets to the Mountaineers 17-25, 25-13 and 22-21.

“I thought that we played great,” Carthage coach Bradyn Webb said. “I thought that we competed every single game, and that is really what I ask of them—give 100 percent because you don’t want to finish a game and regret how you played.”

“I think that was a big confidence booster for us,” Webb added about the Tigers’ win over Webb City. “We do need to win a big game in order to get better, and that was a big game for us. Our girls were fired up about it, and we had the mindset of going in that it was not an option to lose. We played like that and it paid off for us.”

Sydnee Dudolski led Carthage with 45 kills, 11 aces and 26 digs to go along with three blocks in the tournament. Mia Camarillo added 31 kills, two digs and two sets, while Sophie Shannon had 20 kills and six blocks. Raven Probert finished with 141 assists and 22 digs and eight aces, with Olivia Bourgault added 41 digs and seven assists at the libero spot.

WEBB CITY AND JOPLIN FALL IN QUARTERFINALS

After qualifying for the Gold Bracket, Webb City and Joplin both fell in the tournament quarterfinals.

Webb City earned wins over Aurora (25-23, 25-13), Carl Junction Black (25-17, 25-15) and Heritage (25-19, 25-15) in pool play before squaring off against Carthage in the opening round of bracket play. The Tigers walked away with a win in two sets to end the Cardinals’ tournament appearance.

“We played well a lot of times in the morning,” Webb City coach Rhonda Lawrence said. “It took us a while to get started, but then we got going in pool play. We just went out (against Carthage) and tried to play with them. When you play not to lose, you’re going to lose. They know that, but we didn’t have the energy. That is on us and this is something we will have to work on.”

Kate Brownfield led Webb City with 31 kills, 16 digs, five aces and a block, while Kenzie Storm added 26 kills, 20 digs and five blocks. Kyah Sanborn had 75 assists and 20 digs, with five aces. Sophia Crane had 40 digs.

“I thought Kate Brownfield made a lot of plays consistently,” Lawrence said. “Defensively and offensively, she was our most go-to player. … She had to step up, and her serve receive looked better than it normally does. She is carving her own little path.”

Joplin finished pool play with a win over Hillcrest (25-17, 25-19) before splitting with Rogers (23-25, 25-11) and West Plains (25-23, 14-25). The Eagles matched up against Central in the quarterfinals, with the Bulldogs earning a 25-19, 25-13 victory.

“We are growing a little bit every time we play,” Joplin coach Desiree Felker said. “Central is a good team and they do some things very well. I wish things could have gone the other way, but we played hard. We are slowly putting things together. I keep challenging them every day to get better, and I think we are.”

Allie Lawrence led Joplin with 20 kills, 19 digs and a block, while Abby Edwards and Angelina Schramm each added 15 kills. Edwards finished with 19 digs, while Schramm closed with 10 aces, two blocks and 17 digs. Bailey Owens added 12 kills and five blocks. Paisley Parker had 54 digs to Joplin. Abby Hembree had 36 assists and nine digs, with Kaya Cooper adding 28 assists and 12 digs.

NEOSHO TAKES SECOND IN BRONZE BRACKET; MCDONALD COUNTY FALLS IN SEMIFINALS

Neosho split with Pittsburg (25-19, 24-26) and Hollister (20-25, 25-16) and lost to Carl Junction 25-10, 25-16) and played in the Bronze Bracket. The Wildcats opened with a 25-18, 18-25 and 25-21 win over McDonald County in the quarterfinals before falling to Aurora in the Bronze finals 25-18, 24-26 and 25-17.

The Mustangs lost to Central (25-12, 25-16) and Carthage (25-6, 25-12) before earning a 25-9, 27-26 win over Nevada in pool play

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

MVP; Jessa Hylton, Carl Junction

Logan Jones, Carl Junction

Destiny Buerge, Carl Junction

Kylie Scott, Carl Junction

Ryley Martin, Rogers

Madison Rhea, Rogers

Sydnee Dudolski, Carthage

Olivia Bourgault, Carthage

Coco Buschhorn, Central

Mili Sylvester, Central

Angelina Schramm, Joplin

Emily Young, Hollister

Malia Fossee, Heritage

Ashton Judd, West Plains

Faith McGowin, Pittsburg

PREP SOFTBALL: Fast start leads McDonald County to 12-1 win over Cassville

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Lucas Davis

CASSVILLE, Mo. — McDonald County pushed across five runs in the first inning on the way to a 12-1 win in six innings over Cassville on Thursday.

After the five-run first frame, the Mustangs (9-2) added a run in the second before scoring twice in the fourth to push the lead to 8-1. McDonald County closed the game out early after scoring four runs in the sixth inning.

Madeline McCall earned the complete-game win after allowing one unearned run on three hits, a walk and 15 strikeouts over six innings.

Alyssa Whisenhunt took the loss after allowing 12 runs, eight earned, on 10 hits, three walks and four strikeouts over six innings.

Reagan Myrick led McDonald County at the plate with two hits, including a double, and tied for a team-high in RBI with three to go along with a run scored. Katelynn Townsend had one hit and three RBI, while Nevaeh Dodson had a team-high three hits, including a double, and scored a team-high four runs. Adasyn Leach also had a hit and scored a run, while driving in two.

McDonald County is at Nixa on Monday.

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MCDONALD COUNTY BASEBALL 8, CASSVILLE 0

REPUBLIC BASEBALL 5, CARTHAGE 3

OZARK 12, NEOSHO 0 (5 INNINGS)

LIBERAL BASEBALL 6, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 5

COLLEGE HEIGHTS SOFTBALL 6, LIBERAL 3

WEBB CITY 4, OZARK 3

COLLEGE HEIGHTS 8, VERONA 3

WILLARD BASEBALL 7, NEOSHO 4

REPUBLIC BASEBALL 8, CARL JUNCTION 3

MCDONALD COUNTY 6, MONETT 0

NIXA 17, CARTHAGE 4

CARTHAGE BASEBALL 11, CARL JUNCTION 2

REPUBLIC BASEBALL 4, NEOSHO 3

MCDONALD COUNTY BASEBALL 6, LAMAR 1

CARTHAGE 7, MOUNT VERNON 5

CARL JUNCTION 6, SENECA 4

MCDONALD COUNTY 10, JAY (OKLA.) 0

WHEATON 10, MCAULEY 9

NEOSHO WINS TWO IN MICKEY MANTLE CLASSIC

ON THE MOUND

GAME ACTION

IN THE BOX

ON DECK

MCDONALD COUNTY 5, SHILOH CHRISTIAN 2 SPRINGDALE, Ark. — McDonald County built a three-run lead through the first three innings on the way to a win at Shiloh Christian on Monday.

MCAULEY 7, VERONA 1

CARTHAGE GIRLS 53, MCDONALD COUNTY 32

CARTHAGE BOYS 66, MCDONALD COUNTY 43

CARL JUNCTION GIRLS 49, MCDONALD COUNTY 34

MCDONALD COUNTY BOYS 85, CARL JUNCTION 50

CARL JUNCTION OPENS THIRD TOURNAMENT WITH WIN

BIG SECOND QUARTER LEADS WOLVERINES PAST CARDINALS

FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE PULLS AWAY FROM MUSTANGS

PARKVIEW 62, MCDONALD COUNTY 49

MCDONALD COUNTY BLASTS WAY PAST PARKVIEW IN DISTRICT OPENER

REPUBLIC RALLIES FOR 6-4 WIN OVER JOPLIN

WILLARD BEATS CARL JUNCTION 8-0 TO OPEN DISTRICTS

OZARK 3, CARTHAGE 1

MCDONALD COUNTY 5, CARTHAGE 0

Mariana Salas drew a bases-loaded walk in the second to force home a run, with Carlee Cooper singling home a run to center two batters later to make the score 4-0. Katelynn Townsend scored on a wild pitch in the seventh to cap the scoring.

OZARK 14, MCDONALD COUNTY 4

TIGERS FALL IN THE GOLD SEMIFINALS

WEBB CITY AND JOPLIN FALL IN QUARTERFINALS

NEOSHO TAKES SECOND IN BRONZE BRACKET; MCDONALD COUNTY FALLS IN SEMIFINALS

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Schools

SOMO Sports

SOMO Sports

MCDONALD COUNTY 5, SHILOH CHRISTIAN 2
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — McDonald County built a three-run lead through the first three innings on the way to a win at Shiloh Christian on Monday.