Nixa softball continued a strong late-season stretch with a 4-1 showing at the Springfield Public Schools Softball Invitational Tournament on Oct. 2-3 at Killian Softball Complex.

The Eagles earned wins over Lee's Summit North, Cassville, Marshfield, and Bolivar while dropping their lone tournament game to Rock Bridge. The weekend improved Nixa's record to 11-12.

Nixa opened the tournament with a 5-4 victory over Lee's Summit North, as Jordan Phillips' walk-off sac-fly in the bottom of the seventh secured the first of four victories for the Eagles.

The Eagles scored five runs on nine hits, with Jordan Phillips driving in two runs. Miah Johnson collected two hits and scored twice, while Abby Sloan and Aliza Zimmer each recorded a stolen base.

Peyton Clopton worked all seven innings in the circle, allowing four runs, four earned, on 13 hits with three walks and one strikeout.

Nixa followed with a 6-3 win over Cassville.

The Eagles finished with 11 hits and scored runs in four consecutive innings after being held scoreless through the first two frames. Sloan provided the biggest swing with a home run and three RBIs, while Ossie Cooper and Ella Phillips each doubled.

Jordan Phillips earned the win after allowing three runs, one earned, across 5 2/3 innings.

Nixa carried its momentum into Oct. 3 with a 7-3 victory over Marshfield.

The Eagles struck quickly with four runs in the first inning before adding three more in the fifth. Johnson homered, Cooper doubled, and Phillips collected two hits. Ella Phillips drove in two runs.

Clopton threw a six-inning complete game, allowing three runs on seven hits while walking one.

The victory marked Nixa's fifth consecutive win dating back to its Sept. 24 victory over Glendale.

Nixa's five-game winning streak ended later that morning with a 9-4 loss to Rock Bridge.

Bradey Harper provided the offensive highlight, going 3-for-3 with a home run, double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Harper also stole a base.

Cooper added a double, but Nixa was held to six hits as Rock Bridge scored nine runs on 13 hits.

Nixa closed the Springfield Invitational with a 10-9 victory over Bolivar.

The Eagles scored four runs in the second inning and carried a 9-9 tie into the sixth before pushing across the go-ahead run.

Harper went 3-for-4 and stole six bases. Phillips and Sloan each recorded two hits and two RBIs, while Cooper doubled and drove in a run.

Clopton earned the win after pitching all six innings.

The victory gave Nixa a 4-1 record at the tournament and moved the Eagles to 11-12 on the season.
 

Balanced Production

Nixa's offense has continued to receive production throughout the batting order.

Through 24 games, Cooper leads qualified hitters with a .474 batting average. Phillips leads the team with 38 hits and 14 doubles, while Johnson leads Nixa with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs.

Johnson also leads the team with 29 runs scored and a 1.442 OPS.

In the circle, Clopton has carried the majority of the pitching workload. She has thrown 103 innings, recorded 10 wins and struck out 32 batters.

Phillips and Tenley Piwko have also contributed innings during the season.
 

By the Numbers

• 11-13: Overall record through 24 games
• 4-1: Record at the Springfield Softball Invitational Tournament
• 167: Runs scored
• 240: Hits
• 24: Home runs
• 38: Team-high hits by Jordan Phillips
• 14: Team-high doubles by Phillips
• 10: Team-high home runs by Miah Johnson
• 27: Team-high RBIs by Johnson
• 103: Innings pitched by Peyton Clopton
• 10: Wins by Clopton

Following the tournament, Nixa returned to regular-season action Oct. 5 with a 7-6 defeat at Branson.

The Eagles jumped ahead with four runs in the first inning and led 5-2 before Branson scored five runs in the sixth.

Nixa scored once in the seventh but could not complete the comeback.

Phillips went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Piwko added two hits and two RBIs. Emma Dralle doubled and drove in two runs, and Johnson scored twice and stole a base.

The defeat dropped Nixa to 11-13 through 24 games.
 

Up Next

Nixa continues its regular-season schedule with a road game at Waynesville at 5 p.m. Oct. 6 before returning home to face Ozark at 5 p.m. Oct. 8.

The Eagles will then travel to Rolla for the First Consumers National Bank Rolla Invitational on Oct. 9-10 at Ber Juan Sports Complex. Finally, they close out the regular season on Oct. 13 for a make-up contest with Lebanon.

Nixa will embark on its postseason journey beginning Oct. 14.