Eagles earn academic honors but suffer a loss on diamond

Joplin High School's baseball team fell 11-1 to the top-ranked Class 5 Willard High School Tigers on a blustery Tuesday at JHS, but the Eagles had plenty to celebrate after being named the 2026 Academic Team in Class 6 by the Missouri Baseball Coaches Association.

As a team, the Eagles hit a 3.8 grade point average, besting Kansas City Liberty High School (3.75) and Nixa High School (3.74).

Nine Joplin players were also recognized as 2026 All-State Academic Individual Award recipients for achievements in the classroom. They are David Bhend, John Jasper, Layne Royle, Brecken Green, Junior Lowery, Lake Ward, Hayden Wolf, Jensen Stout and Isaac Yust.

The Eagles were not as fortunate on the field Tuesday. Willard jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Ricky Riggs scored when Gavin Leek was hit by a pitch with bases loaded, and Matthew Burns came home on a Tyler Davis sacrifice fly to left field.

The Tigers made it a 5-0 game with three more runs in the top of the fourth frame. Davis and Easton Redd both scored on an error, and Kyler Adams came home on a sacrifice grounder.

Joplin’s lone run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth when Jacob Porter scored on a fielder’s choice after a Stout groundball.

After a scoreless fifth inning for both squads, Willard exploded for six runs in the top of the sixth inning.

Burns plated Kellen Merryman with a line drive to right field and Levi Hilton made it 7-1 when he scored on a bases-loaded walk. The lead grew to 8-1 on another bases-loaded walk and expanded to 9-1 when Evan Arnold scooted home on a passed ball. The Tigers final two runs came courtesy of a Jackson Redd single to right field that plated Kade Taylor and Davis.

Jasper finished 2 for 2 for the Eagles and Porter was 1 for 3 with a run.

Starter Brecken Green was tagged for the loss after giving up four runs (three earned) on three hits. He struck out three and walked four in three innings of work.

Jackson Redd drove in four runs for Willard after going 1 for 4. Burns was 2 for 2 with two runs and an RBI.

Tigers starter Hilton garnered the win after giving up one run on five hits. He struck out four and walked one in five innings of work.

Joplin (13-12) will look to get back in the win column when they travel to Parkview High School (1-13) for a 4:30 p.m. Thursday game.