JOPLIN, Mo. — The Neosho Lady Wildcats captured the Central Ozark Conference West Division championship Thursday afternoon, holding off rival Joplin 5-3 in a tense, back-and-forth rivalry battle.
Neosho leaned on sharp defense in key spots to preserve the lead, spoiling Senior Day festivities for the host Lady Eagles.
The game turned on the basepaths. In one of the afternoon's pivotal sequences, Joplin’s Jasmine Diaz attempted to score on a contested play at home, but Neosho catcher Sadee Leach applied the tag at the plate to shut down the rally and protect the Lady Wildcats' margin.
Both teams traded pressure on the dirt throughout the afternoon. Joplin runner Grace Riggs kept the pressure on by beating a throw into second base on a tight slide, while Neosho’s Kylie Tomlinson challenged the Lady Eagles' infield with aggressive baserunning of her own. In another tight play, Joplin pitcher Ella Watts ranged off the circle to field a ball and attempted to tag Tomlinson along the basepath.
Prior to first pitch, Joplin recognized its three graduating seniors in front of a home crowd: Taylor Love, Jessica Madl, and Teagan Morris.
With the victory, Neosho locks up the COC-West crown as both teams prepare for the upcoming postseason tournament schedule.