Bryant Avery bode his time well as a backup infielder to the likes of former Nixa greats Brett Hammit and Payton Hannah a year ago.

"They both were amazing teammates," Avery said. "They showed me every day I have to keep working, that you have to keep grinding. Eventually, you're going to get your opportunity and when you do, you have to take it and run with it."

Avery's wait for a starting job until this, his senior season, has been rewarded. He's been an integral factor in the Eagles' 13-1 start and delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon in in their 5-4 triumph over Ozark on Tuesday.

Avery ripped a two-run double as Nixa answered Ozark's three-run first inning with a four-run second inning to take the lead for good.

"I knew I had to get the runners in," Avery said. "We needed the momentum. I knew I could come up with a big hit. But if not, I knew we would go on to the next inning and try to do it again."

The early fireworks from both sides gave way to overpowering pitching from both sides. What proved to be Nixa's game-winning run in the third was the result of an Ozark throwing error. The Tigers' lone run over the final six innings was a solo home run by Jake Skaggs.

Nixa (13-1 and 5-0 in the COC) won again with pitching. Winning pitcher Isaac Mitchell responded admirably to his early troubles by finishing with six innings of six-hit ball. Ace Akers continued his spectacular junior season by posting a save with a 1-2-3 seventh.

"I love this team," Avery said. "We work well together and are going to do amazing things."

"We're having a lot more confidence," Akers added. "Day by day, we're working harder, we're winning and we're trusting each other."

Avery has become the seventh Nixa player from this season's team to receive the chance to continue their career beyond high school. It's a list that includes two NCAA D-I commits, one NCAA D-II signee and one NCAA D-II verbal, two juco signees and one juco commit. 

Avery will sign with North Arkansas today, while designated hitter Kinson Michel will sign with Pitt State. Even before the offer to play for the  Pioneers surfaced, Avery emerged as one of Nixa's leaders.

"I think we all work well as a unit and lead together as a senior group," he said. "I like to push everybody and make sure we work hard everyday."

For the full recap, click here.

For video highlights and game photos, click here.

A video of Akers' final strikeout can be found here.

OZARK (ab-r-h-bi) — Sims cf 3-1-2-0, Hodges 2b 2-0-0-1, O'Brien 3b 3-0-0-0, Shaver 3-1-1-0, Harrell lf 3-1-1-0, Glossip dh 3-0-1-2, McAllister 1b 3-0-0-0, Sabor ss 3-0-0-0, Skaggs rf 2-1-1-1.

NIXA — Avery 3b 4-1-2-3, Long ss 2-0-0-0, Reid c 2-0-1-0, Michel dh 4-0-0-0, Crabtree rf 3-1-1-0, Scalise lf 2-2-1-0, Engelmann 1b 0-1-0-0, Chapman 2b 1-0-0-0, Cram cf 3-1-1-0, 

Ozark  300 010 0 - 4 6 2
Nixa    041 000 x - 5 6 1

WP - Mitchell. LP - Sundlie. Save - Akers.