WEBB CITY, Mo. — The Carthage Tigers accomplished something on Tuesday that no other team from the Central Ozark Conference has been able to do over the last two seasons — hand Webb City a loss.
Carthage knocked off Webb City 3-2 in COC softball action at Webb City High School.
The Cardinals were looking to complete an undefeated run through the COC for the second straight season, but the Tigers had other plans. Webb City had won 18 straight COC games.
Stephanie Ray's Tigers improved to 13-9 overall and 6-2 in the COC. Webb City fell to 22-3 and 8-1 in the COC.
Carthage's Jensyn Elder was the winning pitcher. She limited the Cardinals to two runs on seven hits while striking out six. Haidyn Berry took the loss. She allowed one earned run, three hits and struck out 13.
The Tigers broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the fourth. A walk and an error put two runners on with no outs. Landry Cochran then bunted for a run-scoring single. A double steal allowed the second run to score before a wild pitch gave Carthage a 3-0 lead.
The hosts scored twice in the sixth, as Berry reached on an error and Alyssa Jennings homered to right field.
Later in the inning, Kaylyn Gilbert and Hannah Wells both singled and Brynna Cupp hit into a fielder's choice. With two outs, and runners on the corners, Elder struck out Bri Batson to end the threat.
In the seventh, Emma Welch doubled to right-center with one out, but Elder retired Berry and Emalee Lamar to secure the win.