By Wendell Redden

sports@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Kirk Harryman’s game plan was simple.

Don’t let Nicole Hudson beat you with her bat. Joplin issued Hudson four intentional walks, but the plan backfired early as top-ranked Webb City, with Morgan Coleman driving in three runs, scored seven runs in the first two innings en route to an 8-0 victory over Harryman’s Eagles in the semifinals of the Class 4 District 12 softball tournament.

Host Carthage surprised second-seeded Neosho 9-4 in the second semifinal played at the Fair Acres Sports Complex.

“We knew our best chance (of beating Webb City) was to keep the game low scoring,” Harryman said. “We’re a young team and haven’t faced a pitcher like (Hudson). We had a plan of attack going in. It worked out a couple times and a couple times it didn’t.

“Our plan was not to let her (Hudson) beat us with her bat. That’s a double-edge sword. If you walk her, you’ve got to take your chances with the other hitters behind her. Give Webb City credit. They came up with some big hits with men on base.”

With one out in the first, Hudson drew her first free ticket to first. Kylie Jones promptly singled her to second and she scored on Coleman’s double to left center. With two out, Laney Kneib singled Jones and Coleman home.

Webb City scored four times in the second on two-out walks to Brooklyn Farrell, Hudson and K. Jones, Coleman’s two-run single to left and a two-run outfield error.

The Cardinals of Coach Walter Resa added their final run in the sixth on a two-out triple by Farrell and a wild pitch.

Hudson also received intentional walks in the fourth and sixth but didn’t score.

A senior right-hander, Hudson said she was surprised Joplin walked her all four times. “Usually I get walked a couple times, but get to swing the bat. That was a little disappointing,” she said.

Hudson, 16-2 this season, permitted only three singles and struck out 14, including eight in a row at one point.

“That was a pretty typical game for her,” Resa said. “She had 16 strikeouts in one of her losses. I was surprised she walked four times, but she’s walked a lot this season. She may be on a pace to set a state record for walks.”

The victory sends the Cardinals into the championship game against Carthage, 19-11, at 1 p.m. today.