Cardinals eek out win against Joplin
Joplin starter Brecken Green gave up just one hit — an RBI double from Webb City’s Braden Strickland — but that is all the Cardinals needed as they defeated the Joplin Eagles 1-0 Thursday at JHS. Both pitchers logged quality outings in the tightly contested rivalry game. Green gave up one run on one hit while striking out eight and walking five in 6 1/3 innings.
Webb City starter Mason Young gave up no runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked two in a complete game shutout. The Eagles (17-14) sent Webb City down in order in the top of the first inning.
Joplin managed to get runners in scoring position in the bottom of the frame after a Hudson Ledford walk and a line-drive single to left field by David Bhend. Joplin loaded the bases when Daniel Rose singled to right field with one out, but all three baserunners were stranded in what turned out to be a game of missed opportunities for the Eagles. Joplin stranded another runner in the bottom of the second.
Jensen Stout drew a walk and advanced to second base on a Jaxon Landis sacrifice, but was left on base after a strikeout and a groundout by the Eagles offense. Webb City’s decisive run came in the top of the fourth when Strickland smacked a double to center field and plated Landon Johnson to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. Stout reached base in the bottom of the fourth when he hit an infield single, but once again was stranded.
After Webb City’s Karsen Myers reached base with a liner to left, the Eagles defense turned a 6-4-3 double play in the top of the seventh and went into the final frame trailing by just a run. Stout opened the bottom of the seventh with a lead-off double to left field. He was out on a fielder’s choice after a Hayden Wolf groundball.