Payton Ward made Nixa's softball season opener a memorable one by blasting a seventh-inning, game-winning three-run home run in the Lady Eagles' 4-3 triumph over Kickapoo on Friday.

With Nixa trailing 3-1 and one out in the seventh, Sam Aring singled and Morgan Jones doubles to bring up Ward. She ended the contest with her first hit of her senior season.

The teams were tied 1-all through six innings, before both scored three runs in the seventh.

The Lady Eagles' first run came on a solo home run by Aring.

Jones was 2-for-3.

Jones was the winning pitcher. She threw a complete game, striking out six and walking one. Of her 110 pitches, 74 were strikes.