Senior Calvin Burr threw three innings in relief for the save, allowing three hits and a run while striking out five. Starter John McDermid fanned four in four innings, but issued four walks and allowed four runs.

Joplin, 6-9 overall and 2-0 in the conference, entertains Waynesville on Thursday.

Carl Junction 18, Lamar 3

LAMAR, Mo — It didn’t take long for Zak Porath and the rest of the Carl Junction Bulldogs to break out against Lamar in the Big 8 Conference showdown.

In the top of the first, Porath turned around a Dusty Schlicting offering for a two-run homer.

The Bulldogs continued to pour on the offense with two more runs in the second, one in the third, four in the fourth and nine in the fifth as they won by run rule. Porath finished the day 3-for-4 with four RBI. Starter Jake Hale picked up the win with five strikeouts in five innings.

The Bulldogs improved to 10-2 overall and 2-0 in the Big 8. Lamar fell to 8-6, 0-2.

Lamar entertains East Newton at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Webb City 3, McDonald Co. 1

ANDERSON, Mo. — Senior right-hander Brett Richardson bested junior left-hander Bo Bergen as the Cardinals won their Southwest Conference opener.

Richardson allowed five hits, including a pair by Bergen, struck out eight, walked one batter and hit one. Bergen permitted six hits and struck out five.

Webb City (9-3 overall), which scored with the help of errors in the third and fifth innings, tallied in the first on singles by Darren Aggus, Cameron Beaver and Patrick Drake.

The Mustangs, who scored in the third, slipped to 4-7, 1-1.

GOLF

Tigers share fourth