Cardinals lead off the season with two wins

The Webb City Cardinals are undefeated, with two double-digit scoring efforts, as they prepare for their second home game Thursday against Springdale.

In the season-opener Monday at Bentonville West, Webb City scored 6 runs in the decisive ninth inning. Both teams had scored 5 at the end of seven and couldn’t score in the eighth.

Second baseman Sam Weller gave Webb City a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning with a 3-run home run. And short stop Cohen Epler got 3 RBIs in the ninth with a double.

Christian Brock, Drew Vonder Haar, Shaun Hunt and Andrew Young had two hits apiece.

Landon Fletcher pitched 4 2/3 innings before being relieved by Vonder Haar, and Payton Marshall pitched the last 3 2/3 innings.

The Cardinals scored in five of the six times they were at bat Tuesday against Branson’s Pirates for an 11-5 win in their first home game of the season. They scored 3 runs in the first and third innings, 2 in the fourth and sixth, and 1 in the second.

Weller, Hunt and Vonder Haar all collected 3 hits apiece, while Brock and Mason Williams contributed 2 hits each.

Luke Beverlin struck out seven Pirates before being relieved in the fourth inning by Brett Korth, who completed the game.

After the Willard tournament on Friday and Saturday, the Cardinals will be home again Tuesday against John Hersey High School (Arlington Heights, Ill.).