The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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August 28, 2012

Webb City confident after Joplin tournament

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer

The Webb City High School softball team, although it finished just 3-2 in the annual Joplin Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Tournament, probably left the Joplin Athletic Complex in high spirits on Saturday.

The Cardinals beat Blue Springs 10-2 for third place in the 12-team tourney behind three-run home runs from Kaitlin Beason and Emily Harris and the pitching of Kyra Parker.

Yes, that Blue Springs.

“I believe we’d gone 0-7 against Roger (Lower),” Webb City coach Walter Resa said of his Blue Springs counterpart. “Two of the losses came in the semifinals of the state tournament (in St. Joseph mud in 2007 and at Springfield last season).”

Blue Springs lost 3-1 to Nevada and Christian Novak and Webb City lost 7-6 to Columbia Rock Bridge in the semifinals earlier Saturday to set up the Wildcat-Cardinal pairing.

Said Resa: “The Neal/Freeman Tournament, as always, was a great learning experience. We stepped up Saturday against two quality opponents to score 16 runs.

“Also, Parker (a senior right-hander), of course, pitched very well in relief against Rock Bridge as well as her performance against Blue Springs.”

Webb City, in Pool B, defeated McDonald County (1-0) and Bartlesville (6-4) and lost to Park Hill South (4-3).

“I think we improved in some areas in those two days,” Resa said. “We were exposed in some areas, too. We’ll be working on those areas the next few days.”

The Cardinals also will be playing games. They visit Monett at 5 p.m. today, entertain Branson on Thursday in a Central Ozark Conference Large Division opener and visit Jefferson City Helias Catholic on Friday and Saturday for junior varsity-varsity doubleheaders at 5 p.m. and 10 a.m., respectively.

Webb City lost two games in the Joplin event last season and wound up third in Class 4.

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