Webb City wins 5-4 in Little League state tourney opener

July 30--COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Eric Fitch scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth inning as Webb City nipped Harrison County 5-4 Friday night in the opening game of the Missouri Little League Baseball State Tournament at Columbia Insurance Group Sports Park.

Webb City advances to the winners' bracket final at 5 p.m. today against DeSoto, which beat Jefferson City 5-4 in the second game. Jefferson City and Harrison County meet in an elimination game at 7.

Webb City owned a 4-0 lead after 2 1/2 innings, but Harrison County scored a run in the bottom of the third and tied the game with a three-run home run in the fifth.

Webb City's sixth inning began with two strikeouts, but Blake Kaughman belted a double to right field and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Fitch was inserted as a pinch-runner, and he dashed home on another wild pitch.

Gavin Stowell then retired Harrison County in order in the bottom of the sixth on two strikeouts and a popup to second baseman Cole Vaden.

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Webb City's pitching allowed only four hits, struck out 11 and walked two. Vaden had six strikeouts and one walk in the first 2 1/3 innings. Fitch gave up a hit in one inning, and Dante Hill fanned three in 1 1/3 innings and gave up the game-tying homer.

Cade Wilson went 3-for-3 to pace Webb City's nine-hit attack, and Caden Myers contributed two hits.

Webb City took a 1-0 lead in the second when Matt Woodmansee reached on an error, moved to third on Cooper Crouch's single and scored on Fitch's groundout to second.

The lead grew to 4-0 with a three-run third. Vaden reached on an error, advanced to third on Wilson's double to center, and scored on Myers' single to center. Brantley Carter then singled to right to score Wilson and Myers.

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