NIXA, Mo. - Coach Logan Hughes and the Nixa Eagles won their opening-day game against Kennett, the defending Class 4 state champions, 8-2.

After Kennett took an early lead in the top of the first, Nixa went on to outscore the Indians 8-1 the rest of the game.

Six of Nixa's runs came in the third inning with six hits and two walks.

The Nixa bats were hot, totaling 14 hits, four of which were doubles.

In his debut appearance, freshman Wyatt Vincent led the Eagles in hits with three, finishing 3-for-4 with an RBI, two runs, and four stolen bases. Two of Vincent's hits were doubles.

Rylan Michel, Jaret Nelson, Sam Russo, Tanner Grant, and Ryan Retone all tallied two hits.

Retone showed his tools with two hits, two runs, an RBI, and four stolen bases.

Hardy Dougan earned the win on the mound after a solid season-opening outing, surrendering one run in his four innings pitched. Dougan gave up five hits and struck out six Kennett batters while only walking one.

Following the Kennett win, Nixa traveled to Hillcrest and moved to 2-0 on the year. 

Nixa won by run rule 15-0 in four innings of play in a game which rain halted the matchup short.

Parker Bridges headlined the game with his brilliant pitching performance.

Bridges tossed a perfect three innings, striking out six-of-the-nine Hornet batters he faced.

Nixa had eleven hits in the three innings to only two strikeouts.

Russo's speed was on full display, tallying two triples in his two at-bats.

Russo also had two runs and added two RBIs of his own.

Jackson Edwards led Nixa's in hits with three, two of them being doubles.

Edwards and Retone batted in two runners a piece as well.

Russo led Nixa in total bases with six, followed by Michel and Edwards with five.

Nixa has gone on to win 12-straight games and have an undefeated record of 14-0.

The Eagles have had some marquee wins against some of the best teams in the state during their remarkable run.

Nixa has beaten six state-ranked teams in their respective class: Springfield Catholic (Class 3 No. 1), Kennett (Class 4 No. 1), Hollister (Class 4 No. 3), Glendale (Class 5 No. 3), McDonald County (Class 5 No. 8), and Rock Bridge (Class 6 No. 5).

In the game against Rock Bridge, Nixa's hard-hitting lineup and great pitching staff was on display.

Six Eagle batters recorded RBIs, with freshman Caeden Cloud and Retone having two apiece.

Keith Piepmeier threw four innings, giving up two runs and struck out four.

Brayton Tangora came out of the bullpen and threw the final three innings.

Tangora shut out the Bruins and only allowed two hits.

Nixa beat Class 3 No. 1 Catholic 9-6, behind the bat of Grant who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a stolen base, and a run scored.

Bridges started, and he threw three innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out six.

Blake Pendergrass earned the win, going 1? innings with three earned runs.

Piepmeier had his best outing of the season against Class 4 No. Hollister, throwing five innings, allowing no runs, and striking out eight en route to the 1-0 Nixa win.

The Eagle bats were quiet, but Reese Dirnberger's RBI hit was enough to get Nixa the win.

Dirnberger's hit was Nixa's only one of the day.

Nixa held off a late comeback from Class 5 No. 3 Glendale as they won 8-5.

Edwards had a great day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Michel and Vincent also had multiple hits. Michel went 2-for-4 and Vincent 2-for-3.

Bridges earned home the win, throwing five innings and allowing up four runs.

Rylan Evans threw two scoreless innings to close the game out.

Nelson's heroics led to Nixa's thrilling 16-14 win against St. Francis Borgia in extra innings.

Vincent smashed a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to give Nixa a 9-6 lead.

Nixa scored five runs in the fifth inning.

Nixa allowed seven runs in the top of the seventh and St. Francis Borgia took a two-run lead going into the bottom of the final inning.

Nelson hit a double off the left field wall, Edwards was hit by a pitch the following at-bat, then Grant drove in Nelson with an RBI single.

Pinch-runner Piepmeier scored from second on a passed ball to tie the game up, sending the game into extra innings.

With Russo at first after being walked, Nelson hit a no-doubt home run to right-center field to walk the game off.

Nixa's 14th win of the season came in a dominant 15-3 victory against Class 5 No. 8 McDonald County.

Nelson, Vincent, and Edwards all hit home runs, and the trio had eight-of-Nixa's 14 runs.

Sam Russo went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and four total bases.

Nixa clashes with Willard on Tuesday, April 12 at 4:30 p.m. in a highly-anticipated matchup against the Class 5  No. 1 and defending Class 5 state champion Tigers.