ANDERSON — A walk-off single by Katelynn Townsend lifted the McDonald County softball team to a 2-1 victory over Carthage in eight innings Friday at McDonald County High School.
The Mustangs plated the final two runs of the game — one apiece in the seventh and eighth innings — to open their season with a win. An RBI single by Nevaeh Dodson in the bottom of the seventh tied the game and forced extras.
Carthage totaled two hits, with one apiece coming from Katie Crowe and Natalie Rodriguez in the first inning. Crowe ended up scoring on an error in the inning to give the Tigers a 1-0 cushion.
Mustangs starting pitcher Madeline McCall shut down the Tigers in the next seven frames to pick up the win. She tallied 15 strikeouts and one walk in eight complete innings.
Carthage pitcher Jensyn Elder limited McDonald County to five hits and two earned runs in 7 2/3 innings. She struck out eight batters and surrendered no walks.
The Tigers host Seneca on Monday at 4:30 p.m.

Carthage 1, McDonald Couny 2 (8)
Carthage         100 000 00—1 2 0
McDonald Co. 000 000 11—2 5 1

Jensyn Elder and Makayla Jennings. Madeline McCall and Reagan Myrick. W—McCall. L—Elder. 2B—MC: Carlee Cooper, Reagan Myrick.
Records: Carthage 0-1, McDonald County 1-0.
Next—Carthage plays host to Seneca on Monday at 4:30 p.m. McDonald County plays at Joplin on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
-Globe Staff Report