In an era of offensive-first and defensive-first catchers, catchers that make an impact in every phase of the game are few and far between.

Missouri Southern has reached the postseason in its best softball season in many years, and the Lions own a 10-game winning streak as the MIAA Tournament resumes.

Missouri Southern freshman Kara Amos is a second-team selection on the all-Central Region team, announced Wednesday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Preseason expectations could not have been more different, but College Heights Christian and Diamond square off in a Class 2 softball quarterfinal game at 5 p.m. Thursday at Sarcoxie High School’s softball field.

Whenever Micah Bruggeman walks across the stage at graduation, he will leave Joplin High School as one of the most decorated track and field and cross country athletes.

Nine players from the Pittsburg State baseball team earned All-MIAA honors, the league office announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Missouri Southern’s battery of pitcher Zach Parish and catcher Tommy Stevenson received individual awards to headline 10 Missouri Southern players on the MIAA all-conference baseball team, announced on Wednesday.

The greatest hitter of this era was released by the Los Angeles Angels this past week, sending shockwaves across all of Major League Baseball.

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction got off to a fast start and held on to defeat St. Mary's Colgan 6-3 on Tuesday afternoon at Bulldog Field.

Mya Johnson scored both goals as Joplin defeated Neosho 2-1 Tuesday night in a girls soccer match at the JHS Sports Complex.

ROGERS, Ark. — Carthage suffered a 7-1 setback to Rogers (Arkansas) on Tuesday afternoon.

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Nixa completed an unblemished march to the Central Ozark Conference girls soccer championship, but it didn't come easy.

AURORA, Mo. — Eric Fitch and Cooper Crouch were dicing up the opposition.

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City set another girls soccer program milestone on Tuesday night at Cardinal Stadium.

Undefeated and top-seeded Thomas Jefferson blanked Belton 5-0 on Wednesday afternoon in the semifinal round of the Class 2 District 7 tennis tournament at the Cavaliers' courts.

NEOSHO, Mo. — Behind strong pitching and hitting, Seneca topped Neosho 8-1 on Tuesday afternoon in nonconference baseball action at Roy B. Shaver Field.

Fittingly, it was a senior-led effort from the Joplin baseball team on Senior Night.

Katie Scott has been through the recruiting process more than most.

Five athletes, two coaches and one contributor comprise the first class of the Monett High School Athletics Hall of Fame, the school district has announced.

The Joplin High School football program will have one of its own playing in the national spotlight Sunday.

Joplin senior Fielding Campbell woke up just before the crack of dawn on Monday and realized Mother Nature had thrown him quite the curveball.

Thomas Jefferson and Mount Vernon received team plaques on Monday for winning boys golf district team championships.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A standout day at the plate by Bodee Carlson and a pitching gem by Ethan Guilford helped lift the Joplin baseball team to 9-2 win over Glendale in a nonconference game on Monday at Springfield Central baseball field.

INDIANAPOLIS — When the Indianapolis Colts didn’t select a left tackle in the NFL draft, they started shopping for veterans.

A decade ago, Albert Pujols won his second World Series title with the St. Louis Cardinals. That same year, Justin Verlander was the American League MVP, and Miguel Cabrera won his first of three straight batting titles — the latter two would be accompanied by MVP honors of his own.

Troy Gagan isn’t known to be an emotional guy.

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Missouri Southern’s track and field teams got off to a strong start on Saturday during the first day of the MIAA Track and Field Championships at Carnie Smith Stadium.

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carthage suffered a 6-4 setback to Lebanon to open the day before ending on a superb note with a 12-2 victory over Aurora on Saturday afternoon at Carl Lewton Stadium.

NEOSHO, Mo. — The Crowder baseball team’s hard-hitting offense showed up from the opening batter — quite literally.

PITTSBURG, Kan. — With the game deadlocked in the bottom of the eighth inning, Caleb Carr stepped to the plate.

Missouri Southern will play Central Missouri when the MIAA Postseason Softball Tournament resumes later this week at Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City's offense put together another well-rounded day at the plate.

SENECA, Mo. — Alex Baker put up perhaps a career-day at the plate for Carl Junction on Saturday.

NEOSHO, Mo. — The Crowder College baseball team opened up postseason play on Friday night against Three Rivers Community College.

Moments after a thrilling walk-off hit to finish a playoff sweep of Missouri Western, the Missouri Southern softball team converged into a team huddle full of jubilation.

WILLARD, Mo. — Jada Holloman tallied four goals as Willard upended Joplin 4-2 Thursday night in a Central Ozark Conference soccer match.

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — Ben Wardlow and Colin Vermillion teamed up to claim sixth place for Joplin High School's highest finish in the Class 3 District 6 boys district tennis tournament at Lee's Summit North High School.

BELTON, Mo. — Thomas Jefferson's Ian Ding and Noah Hamlett-Tyler Brouhard won championships in the Class 2 District 7 tennis tournament on Friday.

One would think that the completion of an NCAA career record would warrant some sort of celebration — or at least a reaction.

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Eleven was the magic number for Emporia State as the Hornets swept Pittsburg State 11-10 and 11-4 on Friday in an MIAA baseball doubleheader at Al Ortolani Field.

As usual, it’s a meet loaded with talented individuals and teams when the MIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships are contested this weekend at Pittsburg State’s Carnie Smith Stadium.

Almost daily there is a post on social media about a college athlete going into the transfer portal.

Nevada golfer Owen Swearingen and Lamar track athlete Kiersten Potter have been named the Globe’s Athletes of the Week for the week ending on May 1.

Missourians interested in hunting black bears in the state can apply during May for one of 400 permits being offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Missourians interested in hunting elk in the state this fall can apply in May for one of five available permits. At least one permit will be for approved area landowners with qualifying property and the remainder for the general public.

It’s hard to get alone time on Kansas reservoirs in early May.