By Anvil Welch
Globe Sports Writer
WEBB CITY, Mo. —
Pitching and defense. Pitching and defense. Pitching and defense.
There’s a reason why baseball coaches constantly stress the importance of pitching and defense.
Webb City High School presented eloquent testimony in their behalf on Tuesday at Barnes Field.
The Cardinals were flawless in the field and received another strong pitching performance from junior left-hander Tyler Burgess in knocking off Branson 1-0 in eight innings in the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 4 Tournament.
Webb City (20-6) entertains Columbia Rock Bridge, a 3-2 winner against Fort Zumwalt North, at 5 p.m. in a quarterfinal on Thursday.
Central Ozark Conference Large Division champion Branson, which had swept two previous games this season against the Cardinals, finished 23-5.
The Cardinals, who outhit Branson 3-2, scored in the top of the eighth on two Pirate miscues.
Burgess, avenging his only loss of the season, made the run stand up with aplomb — two strikeouts and a grounder to the mound — in the bottom of the frame.
Said Webb City coach Shawn Mayes: “Tyler (Burgess) was very good. But defense made the difference. The defense picked us up.
“We struggled early in the season on defense,” Mayes said. “It seemed about district time we put it together.”
Said Branson coach Steve Lael: “We knew it was going to be a battle. We knew going in that Burgess was a quality pitcher and had been throwing very well. (Mike) Compton (the Pirates’ hurler) did his part.
“It was one of the better playoff games with which I’ve been associated,” Lael said. “I appreciated it. Give Webb City credit for getting the job done at the end.
“It’s unfortunate,” Lael said of the errors. “Again, though, give Webb City credit for putting those balls into play.
“Their second baseman (senior Derek Mann) made two plays in the bottom of the seventh to give them a little pickup,” Lael said.
Burgess, third baseman Breckin Williams and shortstop Patrick Drake also executed difficult plays on defense.
Mann also was a big part in producing the run.
Nathan Ervin reached on an error to open the eighth and advanced to second on Mann’s sacrifice. Ervin then scored from second on a two-out wild throw to first base.
Burgess, Williams and Scott Roderique garnered the singles for Webb City.
Timmy Townsend and Tee Helsel had one-out singles for the Pirates in the fourth and, following an advancing ground-out, they were stranded at second and third as Burgess secured a strikeout.
Those were the hits allowed by Burgess (12-1). He struck out 12 and walked one. Just one more runner reached second.
“He was able to throw three pitches — the fastball, breaking ball and change — for strikes,” Mayes said.
Added Lael: “Burgess seemed to have better control and a little more hop on his fastball than when we faced him early in the season.”
Compton, a junior right-hander, struck out six and didn’t issue a pass.
“Give Branson credit,” Mayes said. “They matched us. We matched them ... whatever.
“It’s fun to play them because of the competitiveness,” Mayes said. “It was special to be a part of such a great high school game.”
