2021 CARDINALS – (FRONT) Seniors Hannah Wells, Morgan Brannon, Lauren Hicks, Ripley Shanks, Emalee Lamar, Peyton Hawkins, Kaylyn Gilbert, Shelby Gardner and Emma Welch.

(MIDDLE)  Bella Burpo, Addison Brown, Sydney Strickland, Dawsyn Decker, Haley Mounce, Jensyn Pickett, Payton Hill, Laney Taylor, Tieranie Schell, Rylynn McFarland, Keyona Welch.

(BACK) Lynnlee Parrott (assistant coach), Aspen White, Kathy Harris (assistant coach), Isabella Manes, Sophia Sanchez, Lanie Ray, Emily Wood, Rilley Hanes, Emma Combs, Keyerra Wiles, Shauna Friend (head coach), and Jayse Henderson (assistant coach). (NOT PICTURED) Lydia Lortz and Brylee Klotz.

Cardinals lose 10-9 in extra-inning quarterfinal

The Webb City softball team’s season came to a heartbreaking, nine-inning prolonged conclusion Thursday at Rolla.

Webb City took a 4-3 lead in the third inning, trailed 7-6 in the fourth inning and tied it at 7-7 in the sixth inning. After the scoreless seventh and eighth innings, Rolla scored three runs in the ninth, but Webb City only managed to answer with two runs.

Peyton Hawkins homered in the third and fourth innings. Emma Welch also had a home run in the third, and Emalee Lamar hit one out in the ninth. Hawkins recorded three hits. Getting two hits each were Hannah Wells, Kaylyn Gilbert, Morgan Brannon, Lamar, Lauren Hicks and Dawsyn Decker.

Freshman pitcher Laney Taylor went the distance for Webb City, allowing 16 hits and striking out 7.

Despite the disappointing loss, coach Shauna Friend says, “We had a great season filled with great plays, great hits, and great memories with this group.”

That group, with seniors at every position besides pitcher, finished 17-13 overall and fifth in the Central Ozark Conference. The obvious highlight was the upset win for the Class 4 District 6 championship.

Friend says the seniors, who made it to the state semifinals as juniors last year, “have set the bar high for future teams with their work ethic and determination. They have been great role models and will be missed by their teammates and coaches.”

 

Central Ozark Conference

2021 Softball All-Conference

1st Team (*Denotes unanimous selection)

Madison Meierer, junior – Nixa*

Phoebe Gardner, junior – Nixa*

Jensyn Elder, senior – Carthage*

Abby Ford, senior – Ozark*

Lili Graue, senior – Neosho*

Kaylyn Gilbert, senior – Webb City

Sierra Daily, junior – Branson

Sydni Fletcher, senior – Willard

Jordyn Foley, junior – Ozark

Mara Lakey, senior – Republic

Emmalee Essary, junior – Republic

Jadyn Pankow, freshman – Joplin

Player of the Year – Abby Ford, senior – Ozark

Conference Champions – Nixa (9-0)

2nd Team

Natalie Rodriguez, senior – Carthage

Savannah Hughes, junior – Ozark

Langley Miller, senior – Branson

Peyton Hawkins, senior – Webb City

Madi Olds, freshman – Carl Junction

Alyson Miller, sophomore – Willard

McKaylie Forrest, junior – Neosho

Chloe Krans, junior – Nixa

Dakota Hale, senior – Nixa

Presley Probert, senior – Carthage

Hannah Wells, senior – Webb City

Kenna Mayfield, senior – Ozark

Honorable Mention

April Zeno, senior – Nixa

Beclynn Garrett, freshman – Neosho

Emma Welch, senior – Webb City

Ally Dicken, junior – Branson

Bailey Ledford, sophomore – Joplin

Landry Cochran, junior – Carthage

Ryley Ritchey, senior – Willard

Jenna Belcher, sophomore- Republic