In a busy September for Nixa softball, the Eagles have competed in two different tournaments and 10 different regular-season games. The squad has posted an 11-11 record, going 7-1 in conference play heading into the Springfield Invitational Tournament. 

The Eagles started the year by dropping their home opener to Perry, Okla., in an offensive showdown, 11-7. Nixa regrouped, beating Webb City 6-4 and Republic 9-6, but fell to Smith-Cotton 7-3. Before heading into the Ozark Fall Festival (Sept. 12-13), Nixa gained momentum by defeating Willard, Branson, Carthage, and Joplin.

In the Ozark Fall Festival, Nixa dropped its first three games to Lee's Summit West, Kearney, and Marquette 9-5. However, the Eagles ended the tournament strong with victories over Locust Grove (22-9) and Excelsior Springs (7-3).

Nixa was tested during the Branson Festival, which included five different games from schools in Oklahoma, Pryor, West Moore, Washington, Silo, and Dale, dropping all five games.

After falling to Kickapoo, Nixa won three straight games against Waynesville, Lebanon, and Glendale to set the Eagles up with momentum for the Springfieldfield Tournament on Oct. 3-4.

Junior Miah Johnson has been an offensive threat each game. The first and second basemen recently broke Carlie Rose's All-Time Single-Season HR Record of 12 set in 2010. Johnson tallied HR No. 13 in Nixa's 5-1 win over Waynesville, imprinting her name atop the chart. She upped her total to 15 after smashing another HR in Nixa's most recent 10-0 and 13-0 wins vs. Lebanon and Glendale. She leads the team in hits (41), HRs (15), and RBIs (33).

Leadoff hitter, senior center fielder Grace West, has set the tone for offense with 31 hits and leads the team in runs scored (27), while homering twice and stealing eight bases. 

Juniors, shortstop Jordan Phillips, and outfielder Ossie Cooper, have been offensive powers, too. Phillips has five HRs, 23 RBIs, and 30 hits, 10 of which were doubles, which leads the team. Cooper has plated 26 hits, four HRs, 22 RBIs, and 18 runs scored.

Senior pitcher Shelby Hicks is the Eagles go-to in the circle, appearing in 16 games and throwing over 95 innings pitched. Entering the Springfield Tournament, Hicks has a record of 10-6 with 67 earned runs and 33 strikeouts. The right-hander tossed complete-game shutouts against Joplin, Waynesville, and Lebanon. Against Lebanon, she fanned six batters, marking a season-high thus far.

Nixa's regular season will conclude in mid-October, featuring two tournaments — the Springfield Invitational and the Rolla Invitational — as well as games against Springfield Central, Ozark, and Neosho.

The Class 5 District 5 tournament is scheduled for Oct. 15-22 at Ozark High School. District 5 features Branson, Glendale, Kickapoo, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Rolla, and Waynesville. 

 

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Program Season Records:
Varsity: 11-11
JV: 8-3

Click here to view the full softball schedule, box scores, and results.
 

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Softball in the News:

Christian County Headliner

• Lady Eagles' Hicks showing resilience after injury-riddled junior season
• Harper, Cooper homers power Lady Eagles to elusive victory versus Webb City

Ozark Sports Zone:

• Pictures: Kickapoo 15, Nixa 6
• Pictures: Nixa 6, Webb City 4