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September 30, 2008

Joplin comeback edges Carthage 7-6

By Meagan Morrison

sports@joplinglobe.com

A seventh inning-rally lifted the Joplin Eagles past Carthage 7-6 in nonconference softball play Tuesday at Joplin High School.

With the Eagles trailing 6-5 going into the final inning, sophomore Bailey Wallace hit a single up the middle to score two runs.

“Bailey had a good at-bat,” said Joplin head coach Kirk Harryman. “She had an 0-2 count and worked it up to a full count. She did a nice job hitting hard on the ground and scoring us runs.”

After starting the game with two scoreless innings, Carthage scored first off of a double from junior Sam Bogle. Bogle’s hit was in deep center, scoring sophomore Amber Taylor and senior Addison Velton.

Junior Sheyan Irwin was knocked in by junior Talia Triplett to put the Tigers up 3-0. Carthage scored again on a home run over the left-field fence by senior Ashley Harrison to make the score 4-0.

The Eagles rallied in the fifth inning, starting with a single by junior Mary Ann Greer, which scored junior Taylor Tyrell.

“For us, scoring runs has been like pulling teeth,” Harryman said. “We’ve been having trouble getting good quality at-bats, but we did better tonight.”

Joplin (9-14) scored again on a grand slam by junior Ashlie Shimmin to put the Eagles up 5-4 going into the sixth inning.

“I was shocked,” Harryman said. “With the wind today, I didn’t expect to see any home runs. Ashlie got the bat on the ball and got just enough to get it out of the park.”

Shimmin went 2-for-2, including a double and an intentional walk in the seventh.

“Ashlie hit the ball well her first two at-bats,” Harryman said. “We were looking forward giving her a chance to score with runners on.”

Carthage had a comeback of its own in the sixth inning, when a Taylor single scored junior Jesika Chrisman. The Tigers scored for the last time on a Harrison single to the shortstop, which scored sophomore pinch-runner Kassiey Borland.

Joplin had nine hits in the game, while Carthage had 11 and two errors.

“Tonight, we were able to string five or six hits in a row, instead of one or two,” Harryman said. “Against a pitcher like Denise Taylor, that’s a big lift. We are playing our best softball right now, and this was a big win against a good ball club.”

Junior Arlisa Arwood had the win for the Eagles, while Denise Taylor had the loss for Carthage.

“We’re still making some mistakes, but we’re swinging the bats better,” Harryman said. “We’re still trying to put some things together, but we’re getting where we want to be. ”

Joplin plays today at 4:30 p.m. at Ozark.

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