WEBB CITY, Mo. — With Webb City and Joplin high schools after much-need victories Tuesday in a Central Ozark Conference rivalry game, it was the Eagles that got the better of the Cardinals 2-0.

“It was just a good competitive high school baseball game,” said Joplin head coach Kyle Wolf. “We were fortunate enough to put some at-bats together in that first inning and find a way to score two runs. So, just super proud of our guys and the effort they gave throughout the course of that game.”

In the top of the first inning, with one out, the Eagles hit back-to-back singles courtesy of Peyton Swenson and Kutler Schwarting to put runners in scoring position.

A few batters later, David Bhend stepped up and hit a line drive to right field and Swenson scored from third. Due to an error by the Cardinals, Schwarting also was able to score to make it 2-0 Joplin. Bhend was credited with an RBI single on the hit.

On the mound for the Eagles, Brecken Green came out firing, striking out two of the first three batters he faced.

In the bottom of the third, Webb City was able to put two runners on, but Green, with the help of his defense, was able to get out of the jam and hold the Cardinals scoreless.

Missouri Southern State University baseball prospect Luke Beverlin was on the mound for the Cardinals, and other than the two runs in the first inning had a solid day. In the top of the fourth he picked up two strikeouts to keep the deficit at 2.

In the bottom of the seventh, with the Eagles still leading 2-0, Andrew Young and Karsen Myers found their way on base for the Cardinals, with the potential game-winning run stepping up to the plate in Brock Renfro. He hit a line drive to Swenson, who secured the ball and then tossed it over to Bhend at second, who then fired to Landry Wilson at first for a double play that gave the victory to Joplin.

Green pitched a complete game for the Eagles while striking out six batters and allowing six hits. He earned the win and the shutout.

“Didn’t have my best stuff today but just had to grind and put it in the zone,” he said. “Trusted my defense, they did a heck of a job and trusting those guys behind was big today.”

The Eagles (13-15) play the Carl Junction High School Bulldogs at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at home.

The Cardinals (17-13) welcome Hillcrest High School at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.