From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

ANDERSON, Mo. — Carthage, which jumped ahead 10-0, captured the winners’ bracket final in the American Legion District 15 baseball tournament Wednesday night.

Carthage rolled to a 13-6 victory over Cassville.

The Neosho Nighthawks whipped Carl Junction in an elimination game.

Neosho will play Cassville at 5 p.m. today in an elimination game. The survivor faces Carthage at approximately 7:30. A Carthage loss would force a decisive game at 6 p.m. Friday.

Carthage slugged three home runs in beating Cassville, including a two-run shot off the bat of Caleb Fierro in a six-run first-inning outburst.

Josh Collins hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Dalton Coffey added a solo shot in the fifth. Dylan Samuelson, who had an RBI double in the first, and Collins finished with three hits each.

Josh Mason, who blanked Cassville until the sixth, worked eight innings for the victory.

Kason Koelsch had a triple and a home run for Cassville, driving in three runs.

Neosho jumped ahead 8-0 in the first inning against Carl Junction, in a game which was decided by the 10-run rule after seven.

Carter Marion went 5-for-6 with four runs scored for the Nighthawks. Tanner Pogue added four hits, including a pair of doubles.

Logan Deem went 4-for-4 with a pair of RBI for Carl Junction.

Defending champion Neosho remained alive late Tuesday night by eliminating Webb City 16-8 behind a 17-hit attack.

The Nighthawks spiced their win by hitting three home runs.