BY JASON PEAKE
After suffering a pair of disappointing setbacks over the weekend, the Webb City Cardinals needed a win. Cole Gayman helped deliverone. Gayman earned a complete- game victory as Webb City defeated Carl Junction 6-1 Tuesday night in a Central Ozark Conference baseball clash.
The Cardinals had dropped three of their last four outings.
"We really needed a win, so that was just a good team win for us," Webb City coach Garry Highfill said.
Simply put, Gayman dazzled on the mound, as the 5-foot-11 sophomore right-hander struck out 10 and surrendered just two hits.
"In the bullpen before the game I felt like my control was pretty good," Gayman said. "I was just throwing a lot of strikes. My fastball control was pretty good, and I just wanted to keep them off balance with the curve."
In control from the start, Gayman recorded five 1-2-3 innings and threw just 78 pitches, with 61 strikes. Gayman tossed a first-pitch strike to 19 of the 24 batters he faced.
"He was doing a great job of hitting spots and changing speeds," Highfill said. "I know at one point, 81 percent of his pitches were strikes. He was throwing three pitches for strikes."
Gayman was able to throw his fastball and curve for strikes consistently, while also mixing in a changeup on occasion.
"He commanded the zone, and he didn't get behind much," Bulldogs coach Jake Stevenson said. "We allowed him to settle in, and he kind of cruised."
Sophomore second baseman Treghan Parker drove in two runs on three hits for the Cardinals (11-9, 4-2 COC), while Cade Beason and Gayman contributed two hits apiece.
Carl Junction senior right-hander Jeremiah Kennedy was charged with the loss. A Missouri Southern recruit, Kennedy gave up three earned runs on seven hits and struck out five in five innings. Carson Johnson allowed two runs in two innings of relief.
The Bulldogs (5-11, 0-6 COC) committed six errors in the field.
The Cardinals scored once in the first, as Parker singled, stole second and later scored on an error.
Webb City pushed across another run in the second, as Gayman doubled to left and pinch runner Shane Noel came home after a miscue in the field.
The Cardinals added a pair of runs in the fourth. Gayman and Zach Biastock both singled before Parker lined an RBI single into right and Beason delivered a run-scoring single through the left side.
"Webb City was pretty disciplined at the plate, and they set the tone early," Stevenson said. "They put the ball in play and were tough to strike out. Things went their way."
The Bulldogs got on the board in the bottom half of the fourth, as Johnson and Cooper Cook both singled before a throwing error on a stolen base attempt allowed a run to cross the plate.
Webb City added an insurance run in the sixth when Devrin Weathers singled to left, stole second, took third on an error and charged home when Parker hooked an RBI single into right.
The visitors added another run one inning later, as Jacob Monroe smacked a line drive to the right side and just kept on running.
The ball went all the way to the wall and Monroe was on his way to third base when a throwing error allowed the senior right fielder to score on the play.
Gayman retired the side 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh.
Highfill noted he was pleased with his team's performance.
"We were patient in the box, we got some runners on and we were able to execute and get some runs across," Highfill said. "And we wanted to be aggressive on the bases and put some pressure on them. Our guys did a great job of that. Our focus has been on building toward districts. I feel like we're getting better every day."
The Bulldogs have dropped seven straight games, but Stevenson is confident his team has the ability to right the ship.
"We've got great kids, and we have great senior leadership on this team," Stevenson said. "There's no doubt in my mind we can get out of this rut we're in."
Both teams return to action on Thursday, as Webb City is at Nixa (181) and Carl Junction travels to Ozark (11-9).
Joplin Globe 04/24/2019 (Used by permission)