From staff reports

Softball pairings set in Carthage’s classic

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Prep softball pairings have been set for the ninth annual Carthage Sports World Fast Pitch Classic scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Four fields will be used at the Fair Acres Family YMCA. The 16-team tournament starts at 3:15 p.m. on Friday with each team scheduled to play two games.

Opening games at 3:15 are Ozark vs. Purdy, Neosho vs. Miller, Carthage vs. Monett and Republic vs. Independence Fort Osage. First-round games at 6:30 are Platte County vs. El Dorado Springs, McDonald County vs. Seneca, Kearney vs. Carl Junction and Webb City vs. Strafford.

The championship game — contest No. 33 of the tourney — will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Webb City driver wins an A feature

LEBANON, Mo. — Webb City’s Terry Beckham II won the A feature in the modified support class during the MARS-MLRA Fall Shootout held Friday and Saturday nights at I-44 Speedway.

Beckham, who earned $1,200, won the 20-lapper on Saturday night by beating Johnny Bone Jr. of Pea Ridge, Ark.

Neosho’s Daniel Jessen beat Springfield’s J.C. Morton in the support-bomber main event. Monett’s Jordan Holloway won the factory-stock main event.

The late-model A features were won by Bill Frye on Saturday and Jeremy Payne on Friday.

Frye nailed down the MARS points title with his 40-lap win worth $3,000. Payne’s 30-lap victory netted $2,500. Each driver also logged a runner-up finish.

Completing the A feature winners were Rich Reynolds (rookie), Derrick Peterson (small springs B-modified) and Justin Neuman (large springs B-modified),

I-44 will hold its postseason banquet at the Mills Center in Lebanon on Nov. 3.

Welch softball team plays host to regional