By: Jason Peake
Webb City's Laney Taylor had a night to remember in the circle, as the sophomore right-hander tossed a one-hit shutout, striking out eight in a complete-game gem.
Taylor had a perfect game with one out in the seventh before Bolivar's Carly Cribbs drew a walk and Kacee Jenkins blooped a single into right. Taylor then retired the side to secure the victory.
"Laney had a great night," Friend said. "She was hitting her spots all game. She came out ready to compete and she did a great job. I wish she could have made it all the way through the seventh (without giving up a hit or a walk)… but she did a great job. And our defense was outstanding behind her."
The hosts got the bats going early in this one.
The Cardinals pushed across a single tally in the first on Lily Hall's RBI double.
Webb City added two runs in the second. Makenzie Wynn's squeeze bunt allowed Sydney Strickland to score from third before Kyley Senter came home on a throwing error.
The hosts extended their lead to 5-0 in the third after run-scoring base hits from Alex Maturino and Jensyn Pickett.
"It definitely helps your pitcher when she gets some early run support," Friend said. "Getting some runs early builds confidence. Our girls just came out and did a great job tonight."
Liz Rhuems hit an RBI single in the fourth and Kylee Sargent blasted a solo home run in the sixth for the final margin.
Webb City, which featured six freshmen in the starting lineup, recorded 10 hits. Rhuems went 3-for-3, while Sargent had two hits and scored three runs. The Cardinals did not make an error in the field.
Bolivar's Makayla Methvin took the loss after surrendering six earned runs on 10 hits and a walk in six frames.