The Cardinals opened their conference schedule with a 5-4 victory over the Willard Tigers at home on Tuesday afternoon.

After allowing a run in the top of the first, Webb City scored three times in the bottom half of the opening inning.  Austin White led off with a single and was replaced on the bases by a fielders choice by Jay Roderique.  Seth Watkins singled and Cade Crouch drilled a triple to right center field to drive in the first two runs.  Tyler Davison drove in the final run of the inning with a base hit.

The Cardinals built upon the lead in the fourth with one hit and little help from the Tiger defense.  Kyler Crane opened the inning with a single and White reached on an error.  Roderique moved up both runnes with a sacrifice bunt and Watkins was intentionally walked to load the bases.  Crouch drove in the first run with a ground ball that was misplayed leaving the bases loaded.  Joseph Jones picked up the next run with a sacrific fly to center and the Cardinals extended their lead to 5-1.

Willard closed the gap with 2 runs in fifth and one in the sixth, but failed to score in the top of the seventh.

Crouch picked up the victory, throwing six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits.  He struck out four and walked only three.  Ben Jones, only issuing a two out walk, worked the seventh to earn the save.

White, Davison and Mason Williams each picked up two hits on the day to lead the eleven hit attack. 

The JV earned a 12-11 victory scoring four times in the bottom of the seventh.

The Cardinals travel to Ozark on Thursday afternoon