The Neosho Wildcats scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the first inning in Thursday’s 1-0 prep softball win over Willard.
In the first, Kaitlyn Killion singled, Lili Graue reached on an error and McKaylie Forrest was retired. But Sierra Jones lined a run-scoring double into right field.
Neither team would score the rest of the way.
The Wildcats recorded three hits, one apiece from Killion, Jones and Brittany Winchester.
Phenix Scott pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings, scattering five hits. Winchester tossed the final 2 2/3 innings, striking out two and giving up two hits.
Willard’s Sydni Fletcher suffered the tough-luck loss in the circle. She struck out four and gave up just one run.
The Tigers out-hit the Wildcats 7-3.
Kailie Crews had three hits for the Tigers, while Rylie Ritchey went 2-for-3.
Neosho is at McDonald County on Monday, with first pitch scheduled for 4:30. The Mustangs improved to 7-0 with Thursday’s 11-5 win over Aurora.
Tag: Neosho
Tennis: Neosho suffers loss to Monett
The Neosho High School girls tennis team suffered a 6-3 loss to Monett on Wednesday.
In singles play, Neosho’s Michelle Lindsay defeated Meagan Hull 8-6 at No. 1, while Emily Lemus beat Sofia Semerad 8-3 at No. 2.
Monett’s Melanie Hernandez-Salas beat Ana Ramirez 8-3 at No. 3 and Vianey Rodriguez defeated Claudia Martensen 8-3 at No. 4.
The Cubs also won at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, as Katherine Smith beat Angelica Vynyas 8-1 and Melissa Gomez defeated Mariana Anaya 8-2.
The Wildcats won the No. 1 doubles match, as Lindsay-Ramirez defeated Hull-Semerad 8-6.
Monett won the other two doubles matches, as Hernandez-Salas-Rodriguez beat Lemus-Martensen 8-6 and Smith-Gomez defeated Vynyas-Anaya 8-0.
Softball: Neosho drops slugfest to Republic
NEOSHO, Mo. — Republic scored seven runs in the top of the seventh inning, and the Tigers defeated the host Neosho Wildcats 19-15 in a prep softball slugfest on Tuesday.
The back and forth contest saw both teams put together several big innings.
Down 5-1, Neosho scored six runs in the third. After both teams scored single tallies in the fourth, the Tigers pushed across six runs in the fifth. The Wildcats then erupted for six runs in the bottom of the sixth, only to see the visitors plate seven in the seventh. Neosho scored once in the bottom half, but it wasn’t enough.
McKaylie Forrest and Sierra Jones had four hits apiece for Neosho, while Kaitlyn Killion went 3-for-5 with four RBI. Killion hit two triples. Forrest had two doubles and scored five runs, while Alivia Campbell had four RBI. Brittany Winchester took the loss in the circle.
Republic’s Mara Lakey drove in seven runs on five hits, including a grand slam, while AJ Fenske went 4-for-5 with five RBI. Ella Tattershall had three RBI, while Avery Romans scored four times.
Romans was the winning pitcher despite allowing eight earned runs. She struck out nine.
Neosho hosts Willard at 4:30 on Thursday. Republic is at Carl Junction on Thursday.
BOUNCING BACK: Webb City rolls to 45-0 win over Neosho
WEBB CITY, Mo. — Coming off a hard-fought setback in the season opener, the Webb City Cardinals needed to get well in Week 2.
There’s no doubt they did just that.
Webb City rolled from the start en route to a commanding 45-0 victory over Neosho on Friday night in Central Ozark Conference football action at Cardinal Stadium.
“Each day we’re blessed to be playing and we’re thankful for the opportunity,” Webb City coach John Roderique said after the game. “We’ve been telling our kids that they need to make the most of every day that they have playing this game because there are a lot of guys that aren’t about to do that right now.”
Roderique noted it was satisfying to see his squad rebound well from last week’s loss at Joplin.
“That’s exactly what you want to see,” Roderique said. “You want to have a dominating performance after a loss. I felt like the kids did that.”
Ignited by an early blocked punt, the Cardinals (1-1) led 31-0 at halftime.
Webb City racked up 329 yards of offense for the game, with 276 on the ground and 53 through the air.
“I felt like our guys up front played really well,” Roderique said.
Senior running back Devrin Weathers once again showed why he’s a Kansas State recruit. The speedy Weathers ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries.
Senior quarterback Cole Gayman completed one pass for 53 yards to Asa Morgan and also ran for a touchdown. In all, 10 different players had carries out of the backfield for the hosts.
Webb City’s defense limited Neosho (0-2) to just 79 total yards, with 40 rushing and 39 passing.
Jaystin Smith, Roger Carranco, Brentan Wilson and Brody German all made tackles for loss for the Cardinals.
“I feel like our defense was a week better for sure,” Roderique said.
Neosho’s Drayke Perry ran seven times for 32 yards, while quarterback Logan Whetzell completed 2-of-7 passes for 39 yards. Perry had one reception for 27 yards.
Playing on their home turf for the first time since last season’s semifinal win over Ladue, the Cardinals blocked Neosho’s punt attempt on the opening series, with senior defensive back Shane Noel scoring on the 16-yard return.
The Cardinals never looked back after the early game-changing play.
“That gave us the momentum and we talk about those things all the time,” Roderique said. “Those special teams plays are huge. And that play was certainly huge at that time of the game.”
Gayman’s 2-yard touchdown run and Cameron Clark’s 22-yard field goal made it 17-0 at the end of the first quarter. Eli Goddard’s interception set up the final score of the opening frame.
Weathers then scored the next three touchdowns for the Cardinals, with a pair of TDs in the second period. Weathers first scored on a 2-yard run before he broke free for a 64-yard sprint, giving the hosts a comfortable 31-point cushion at intermission.
The Cardinals got the ball to start the second half, and on the first play from scrimmage, Weathers ran past the Neosho defense for a 59-yard touchdown.
Roderique got his reserves plenty of playing time the rest of the way.
Sophomore Colton Gordon scored on a 1-yard run with 3:09 left in the third quarter, and there was no scoring in the final frame.
Webb City is at Republic in Week 3, while Neosho is at Carthage next Friday.
WEBB CITY 45, NEOSHO 0
Neosho 0 0 0 0—0
Webb City 17 14 14 0—45
Scoring summary
WC: Shane Noel 16 yard return after blocked punt. (Cameron Clark kick)
WC: Cole Gayman 2 yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Clark 22 yard field goal
WC: Devrin Weathers 2 yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Weathers 64 yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Weathers 59 yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Colton Gordon 1 yard run (Clark kick)
Records: Webb City 1-1, Neosho 0-2.
Tennis: Neosho falls short at Willard
The Neosho Wildcats suffered a 9-0 loss to Willard on Thursday in Central Ozark Conference tennis action.
In singles play, Jungeun Go defeated Michelle Lindsay 8-3, Kristen Flynn beat Emily Lemus 8-3 and Ana Chunn topped Ana Ramirez 8-0.
Kaytlen Ibarra Saucedo defeated Angelica Vynyas 8-2, Abby Wade beat Claudia Martensen 8-3 and Alyssa Flynn topped Mariana Anaya 8-1.
In doubles action, Go-Chunn defeated Lindsay-Lemus 8-3, K. Flynn-Ibarra-Saucedo beat Ramirez-Martensen 8-2 and Wade-A. Flynn defeated Anaya-Jasmine Martinez 8-0.
Neosho (0-3) meets Carl Junction on Tuesday.
Neosho tennis team falls at Republic
REPUBLIC, Mo. — The Neosho High School girls tennis team ran into a solid Republic squad on Tuesday. The Tigers topped the Wildcats 9-0.
In singles play, Republic’s Elsie Crawford beat Michelle Lindsay 8-2, Jasmine Howard defeated Emily Lemus 8-0 and Abigail McCord topped Angelica Vynyas 8-0.
Sedalia Shumaker defeated Claudia Martensen 8-1, Morgan Lewis beat Mariana Anaya 8-0 and Anna Davidson defeated Jasmine Martinez 8-1.
In doubles play, Crawford-Howard beat Lindsay-Lemus 8-0, while McCord-Shumaker topped Vynyas-Martensen 8-0 and Lauren Ueligger-Wrigley Cook beat Anaya-Martinez 8-0.
Neosho (0-2) is at Willard on Thursday.
Neosho tennis drops opener at Aurora
AURORA, Mo. — Neosho dropped its first girls tennis dual of the 2020 season, as host Aurora earned an 8-1 win over the Wildcats on Monday.
Neosho’s lone win came at No. 1 doubles, as Michelle Lindsay and Emily Lemus defeated Aurora’s Olivia Ray and Lilly Sumners 9-7.
Aurora’s Emily Gearheart-Riley Pope defeated Neosho’s Mariana Anaya-Angelica Vynyas 8-0 at No. 2 doubles, while Jasmine Lopez-Olivia Gibson beat Jasmine Martinez-Alex Olsbo 8-0 at No. 3.
The Houn’ Dawgs swept the singles matches.
At No. 1, Ray edged Lindsay 9-8 (7-3 tie-breaker), while Sumners defeated Lemus 8-4 at No. 2.
Gearheart beat Vynyas 8-5 at No. 3 singles, while Lopez topped Anaya 8-0 at No. 4. Pope beat Martinez 8-2 at No. 5 and Gibson defeated Olsbo 8-0 at No. 6 singles.
Neosho (0-1) travels to Republic on Tuesday.
Neosho softball rolls in season opener at Monett
MONETT, Mo. — The Neosho Wildcats got the bats going in a big way in their season opener.
The Wildcats recorded 15 hits in Monday’s 9-1 prep softball victory over Monett.
Neosho scored runs in four of the seven innings en route to victory.
The game was tied 1-1 when the Wildcats scored eight unanswered runs to finish the game.
Neosho plated three in the fourth, two in the fifth and three more in the seventh.
Leadoff hitter Kaitlyn Killion went 2-for-5 with four runs batted in and two runs scored to lead Neosho. She hit a triple and a double.
Brittany Winchester went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Lili Graue, Sierra Jones, Grace Johnson and Trinity Drake all added two hits apiece for the Wildcats.
Winchester was the winning pitcher. She surrendered just one run on three hits while striking out six in the complete-game effort.
Monett’s Caitlyn Calhoun took the loss after allowing seven earned runs. Calhoun fanned four.
Ashtyn Blakey went 2-for-3 for the Cubs, while Taylor Southard drove in her team’s lone run with an RBI single.
Monett (0-2) hosts Webb City (0-0) on Thursday at 4:30. Speaking of Webb City, their game at Nevada was rained out on Monday.
Neosho (1-0) will be among the teams competing at the Paige Neal/Christina Freeman tournament this weekend at the Joplin Athletic Complex.
PREP FOOTBALL WEEK 1: Neosho falls to Republic
NEOSHO, Mo. — Republic earned a 21-0 win over Neosho on Friday night in Central Ozark Conference prep football action at Bob Anderson Stadium.
The Wildcats played on their new turf field for the first time, but the visiting Tigers spoiled the celebration.
After an early Neosho turnover, Republic’s Avery Moody scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:54 remaining in the opening frame.
A pair of passes from QB Gavyn Beckner set up the score, including a 39-yard strike to Landon Porter.
The Wildcats turned the ball over on their second possession, as well, as Republic’s Connor Sandridge grabbed an interception.
The Tigers took a 14-0 lead when Moody scored on a 14-yard run.
The Wildcats threatened late in the second quarter, but the Tigers came up with a key stop, as Neosho turned the ball over on downs.
The hosts recovered a fumble in the third, resulting in good field position. But the Wildcats failed to score, as a key penalty and a tackle for loss halted the drive.
Next, Republic’s Moody scored from 6 yards out for the final score.
Neosho compiled 142 yards of offense, with 118 rushing and 24 passing. Republic had 310 yards of offense, 210 rushing and 100 passing.
Neosho travels to Webb City next Friday.
Seven seniors to lead Neosho volleyball team
Four-year starters Savannah Merriman and Brylee King are among the seven seniors who will lead the way for the Neosho High School volleyball team this fall.
Seniors Abby Jarvis, Andi Johnson, Kaylee Butler, Shelby Roberts and Melia Robertson also return with prior varsity experience.
“I am blessed to have seven seniors return this year who have had a lot of varsity experience previously,” Neosho coach Ann Landrum said.
Merriman earned honorable mention all-conference honors last year at outside hitter, while King has also been a key performer from the time she entered high school.
“Savannah and Brylee will definitely lead the way,” Landrum said. “Savannah will set and hit for us, and Brylee will hit and pass for us, as well as keep us grounded. Our other seniors bring a lot to the table.”
Butler will be a setter, Jarvis and Roberts will play the middle positions, Johnson will play outside hitter and Robertson will anchor the Wildcats defensively.
Juniors Lexi Laney (setter, outside hitter) and Rylee Amato (libero) are also expected to contribute nicely this season.
Juniors Kylee Schmidt and Lana Yang, and sophomores Meredith Baldwin and Capri Williams are other players in the mix for varsity playing time.
Landrum noted her expectations for the team never change.
“We have the same expectations from the start—stay focused, play hard and get better one ball at a time,” she said.
Landrum noted the Wildcats have been working hard in practice in preparation for the season-opener against Seneca on Sept. 1.
And the veteran coach added she’s been pleased with what she’s seen.
“First and foremost, I love my kids,” Landrum said. “I have great kids. This year, all the way around, has been exciting. We have a varsity team led by seven seniors with a wonderful support staff behind them. There is actually depth in positions, which we really haven’t had much of in the past.”
“The JV kids are stronger and more knowledgeable,” Landrum added. “And, for the first time in five years, we have a freshman team—that’s exciting! All the kids mesh really well. They genuinely like each other and it’s fun to watch them. They are more competitive at each level and things are starting to click. I believe they’re going to be fun to watch and they are going to make some wonderful memories.”
Neosho tennis team making progress
Two returning starters are expected to lead the way for the Neosho High School girls tennis team this fall.
Senior Michelle Lindsay and sophomore Emily Lemus are the team’s returning starters.
The pair should occupy the team’s top singles positions while likely forming a No. 1 doubles team.
Neosho coach Nicholas Hays said the rest of this year’s varsity lineup will consist of players who gained junior varsity experience a year ago. Those spots are still up for grabs as the season approaches.
Hays listed junior Jasmine Martinez and sophomore Mariana Anaya as two players who could contribute at the varsity level this fall.
Hays said he’s seen steady improvements from a number of players thus far.
“Practices are going well,” Hays said. “It’s always nice to see a brand new player improve dramatically over that first couple of weeks of practice. The trick obviously is to try and develop good habits so that they continue to improve and not plateau too early.”
Hays added there’s a lot to like about the group.
“They are all great student-athletes,” he said. “They will help each other out whenever needed and will do whatever is asked of them as well. I look forward to spending the next several weeks with this group.”
The Wildcats are scheduled to begin the season on Aug. 31 at Aurora.
2020 Football Preview: Neosho brings back experience on both sides of the ball
Bob Anderson Stadium is going to have a new look for the upcoming 2020 season and beyond.
Neosho will no longer be playing games on natural grass, as new turf was brought in and laid out over the offseason.
“It’s especially exciting for the players,” Neosho coach Leon Miller said. “We go to other facilities and see what they have, and now our kids are excited they get to have some of the same things. We are practicing across the street right now, but they can’t wait to get on the new turf. It was a much-needed upgrade.”
Of course, the turf isn’t the only upgrade to Bob Anderson Stadium.
“Our maintenance staff has also done a lot of painting and cleaning that has made a world of improvement,” continued Miller. “This, along with future projects, will make Bob Anderson Stadium a first-rate facility that our community can be proud of for years. Our kids deserve quality facilities to train and prepare in, and this lets them know the hard work is appreciated. This also allows us to have a consistently great playing surface year-round for multiple uses.”
As far as the product on the field is concerned, Neosho returns 27 players with varsity experience, including a trio of two-way players who contributed greatly to the team over the past several seasons.
“It’s very important to return a lot of kids who have seen the field on Friday nights and have that experience,” Miller said. “Those kids know what to expect. We are really excited about our group of kids. They’re a good group, and they work hard. We are excited about the potential there.”
Running back and linebacker Drayke Perry, offensive and defensive lineman Kaden Decker and tight end/linebacker Sam Sullivan headline the list of returners for the Wildcats. And with each senior playing both ways, they will be looked at as leaders for both units.
“We will rely very heavily on them, particularly for leadership,” Miller said. “Those three (have been tested at the varsity level) and they are a known quantity, so they will be key for us.”
Joining Perry in the backfield, which figures to be one of the strengths for Neosho, will be junior Talon Mitchell.
Along the offensive line, joining Decker and Sullivan, will be juniors OL/DL Seth Green, Pete Houk, Nico Olivares and Grant Campbell. Miller noted there will be competition along the trenches as well for some playing time.
“We feel like we have some depth, and some kids who are capable of stepping in and doing a great job,” Miller said. “We got some kids pushing (for starting opportunities) hard, and that’s exactly what we want.”
After graduating multi-year starter Gage Kelley, the Wildcats will be looking at a quarterback competition this preseason. Juniors Evan Haskins and Logan Whetzell, among others, will be competing for the starting position.
“I am looking for someone who can take charge, not only in the huddle, but of the situation and provide some leadership,” Miller said. “I want somebody who makes good decisions but isn’t afraid to take chances when need be. … We need someone solid back there who understands he doesn’t have to do it all himself and will take care of business.”
Miller is excited about the prospects for his group of wide receivers. Isaiah Green, Landon Werneke, Lane Yost and Aiden Howell, with others in the mix, figure to play a large role out wide.
“We have a receiving corps that is probably as deep as we have ever had, as far as being equal in talent and effort,” Miller said. “We are really excited about that, and hopefully we can utilize them in the right way.”
Senior linebacker Jacob Fry and junior linebacker Tristen Linders join a large returning group on defense, with the defensive line and linebackers considered to be the Wildcats’ biggest strength.
A meaningful new addition to the defense will be three-time state champion wrestler Cayden Auch, who figues to be a key contributor in the secondary.
“We have a lot of the same kids playing on the defensive side of the ball,” Miller said. “But there are some other kids who will figure in the mix. We still have some questions (in the secondary), but the good thing is it’s been very competitive, and that is something we haven’t had in the past. We are excited to see how that will shake out.”
Neosho is projected to open the season in a home game with Republic on Aug. 28 and the newly-madeover Bob Anderson Stadium.
“It has been awesome,” Miller said about getting back out on the field to practice in preparation for the upcoming season while dealing with the pandemic. “The frustrating part about the whole thing is the uncertainty. The one thing we know is we are going to go out there to play a normal season, and that’s what we hope to do. So, it’s some return to normalcy and you just keep building towards that.”
