Webb City Softball Honors Seniors With 10-3 Victory Over Joplin
The short version
- Webb City beat Joplin 10-3 in the COC West opener for both teams on senior night
- Chasney Brown homered, tripled and drove in three runs for the Cardinals (13-8-1)
- Addy Burns threw a complete game, allowing three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts
- Jessica Madl homered for Joplin (11-11) in the loss
- Webb City plays in the University of Central Missouri tournament next; Joplin visits Monett on Monday
Five seniors were recognized before the Cardinals opened COC West play with a home win against the rival Eagles on Thursday night.
WEBB CITY, Mo. — Behind a balanced attack and a five-run late-inning outburst, the Webb City Cardinals defeated the Joplin Eagles 10-3 on Thursday at Webb City High School in a game that carried extra meaning. The contest doubled as the program's senior night, with the Cardinals honoring five players before the win: Abby Sargent, Addy Burns, Addy Crane, Alivia Nieburg and Laekyn Smotherman.
The matchup also served as the first Central Ozark Conference West division game for both squads, meaning Webb City grabbed an early advantage in the league standings.
Head coach Kathy Harris said the occasion carried special weight. "Senior night is always a special night, but to be able to celebrate our seniors with a win makes it even more meaningful," Harris said. "I'm incredibly proud of this group and the leadership, passion and heart they have poured into our program."
Joplin (11-11) struck first. Bella Munn, playing on her 17th birthday, came home on a Mariah Hagans double into left field in the opening frame. Webb City (13-8-1) answered in the home half of the inning when Jayden Houston's bunt brought Abby Sargent across to knot the score at 1-1.
The Cardinals moved ahead for good in the third. Brecklyn Sargent's sacrifice fly plated Abby Sargent to make it 2-1, and Chasney Brown followed in the fourth with a line-drive home run over the left-center wall, extending the margin to 3-1. An error by the Eagles' outfield allowed Smotherman to score in the fifth, and a Joplin infield miscue later let Brecklyn Sargent cross home for a 5-1 cushion.
Joplin narrowed the deficit in the top of the sixth. Jessica Madl launched a home run to left, and Jasmine Diaz also scored, pulling the Eagles within 5-3. Webb City broke the game open in its half of the inning with a five-run rally keyed by Brown's triple down the right-field line that drove in both Brecklyn Sargent and Houston, pushing the lead to 10-3.
Brown ended the night 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Abby Sargent reached base in both at-bats, going 2-for-2 while scoring three times, and Brecklyn Sargent finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs. Addy Burns handled all seven innings in the circle, surrendering three runs on seven hits while striking out six and issuing four walks.
Joplin's Grace Riggs went 2-for-3 at the plate, and Madl contributed a 2-for-3 line that included two RBIs and a run. Starter Ella Watts worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing 10 runs (four earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Eagles coach Jaren Hulette noted the positives while pointing to a recurring issue. "Offensively, we had some good ABs (at-bats) and hit several balls hard," Hulette said. "We have to find a way to eliminate some of the bigger innings we are giving up on defense. Ella did a nice job competing in the circle."
Looking ahead, Webb City heads to Warrensburg this weekend for the University of Central Missouri tournament, while Joplin travels to Monett for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch on Monday.
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