Baseball with Webb City isn't pretty

Nevada senior Heath Baker slides back into first base on a pick-off attempt in the second inning Thursday. Baker reached on an error and was one of two baserunners Nevada had all game in a 13-0 loss to Webb City at Lyons Stadium.

NEVADA, Mo. -- A single by Kyle Hughes with one out in the fifth inning broke up a no-hit bid by Webb City's Jerich Swarens, but that's all Nevada had in the way of offense as the Cardinals won 13-0.

The game was called after five innings because of the mercy rule, after Webb City had broken things open with a seven-run inning in the top of the fifth.

A pair of three-run homers were hit in the final frame, as Webb City's Chance Sossaman and Alan Pink each went yard to left field.

Nevada starter Dakota Bright, starting after pitching two days earlier against Clinton, looked sharp early and the Tigers kept the Cardinals close for a few innings.

Webb City led 1-0 after two innings and 3-0 after three.

The Cardinals broke through in the fourth with three runs as Bright started to show signs of tiring.

Nevada head coach Jared Brown, who was limited in relief options with the Tigers playing a fourth game in four days today against Neosho, was proud of the way Bright battled.

"I really thought Dakota threw well for quite a while," Brown said. "He just got tired."

Bright hit four Webb City batters in his final 2 1/3 innings of work, proof that he was running out of gas. The righty was taken out after Sossaman's homer made it 9-0 with one out in the fifth.

Left-hander Parker Board relieved Bright. Not having been used too often this season, Board struggled, giving up four runs on two hits, a hit batter and a walk. Pink's homer prompted Brown to make another pitching change before Board could record an out.

Baker gave up a single and a double before settling down to get the next two hitters, escaping without any further damage in the inning. Webb City finished with 12 hitters coming to the plate in the fifth.

"They're a good ballclub," Brown said.

Webb City is the defending state champions and they have two starting pitchers this season with sub-1.50 ERAs.

The Tigers don't get to think too long about the loss to Webb City as they wrap up a four-game homestand this week with the Wildcats visiting today at 4:30 p.m. It'll mark the fourth game in four days at Lyons Stadium for the Tigers.