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Ozark got stellar pitching performances from Ethan Mather and Matt Jordan, and run production up and down the lineup while posting a 15-2 non-conference baseball victory at Webb City High School's Barnes Field on Tuesday.

The Tigers trailed 2-1 entering the sixth inning, then batted around to grab the lead. Ozark sent 14 more hitters to the plate in the seventh inning, scoring 9 runs.

Ozark improved to 2-0 on the season and will be back in action Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. against Lake Zurich, Illinois. Webb City is now 2-2 on the young season.

Ethan Mather and Webb City starter Chance Sossamon were matched up in a tight pitcher’s duel through the first 5 innings.

Ethan Mather improved to 2-0 on the season with the win, working 5 innings, striking out 9, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, on 3 hits with 3 walks.

Chance Sossamon allowed just 1 run through the first 5 innings with 7 strike outs and 1 walk, scattering 5 hits.

“He’s not going to Wichita State because he can’t play,” Ozark coach Mike Essick said. “Webb City is going to win a lot of games, and this was one of the best pitchers we’re going to face this year.”

Ozark scored a run in the first when Brett Neill singled and Derek Harwell reached on a fielder’s choice. Ethan Mather singled to right center field, and Harwell raced for third. The cut off throw to third went into the dugout, and Harwell came around to score.

Webb City answered with a run in the last of the first. Lead off hitter Cameron Beaver walked and stole second. With one out, Chance Sossamon hit a slow roller up the first base line, beating the play at first, which was mishandled, a miscue which allowed Beaver to score.

In the last of the fourth, Webb City took the lead on a double by Austin Lepper and an RBI single by Cardinal catcher Jordan Hickman.

Ozark went to work in the sixth, down by a run. Ethan Mather walked to start the inning, but a Tiger courtesy runner was caught stealing for the first out. John Neill then ripped a double to the right center field fence. Chris Loveday followed with an RBI single, tying the game. Justin Johnson singled in front of an RBI double by Corey Wiley, a hit which gave Ozark the lead.

With 2 outs, Brett Neill delivered a 2-run triple, and came all the way around to score when the throw to third was wild, giving Ozark a 6-2 lead.

Matt Jordan came on in relief for Ozark in the last of the sixth, and struck out the side. Matt Jordan would earn the save by striking out 6 of the 7 Webb City batters he faced in the game.

In the seventh, every hitter in the Ozark lineup produced: Brett Neill had another 2-run triple and scored; Levi Presley had an RBI single and scored; Derek Harwell had a double and scored; Ethan Mather had 2 hits, an RBI and a run scored; John Neill scored twice and drove in a run; Chris Loveday had a sacrifice, scored and singled; Justin Johnson walked, scored, singled and drove in a run, Ryne Armstrong drove in a run and Matt Jordan singled and scored.

“Lake Zurich is down from North of Chicago,” coach Essick said. “They should be a challenge.”

Ozark will travel to Oklahoma on Friday to play Sperry and Saturday to face nationally ranked Owasso.

Against Webb City, Brett Neill finished with 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, 4 RBI and 2 runs scored. Levi Presley finished with 3 hits, including a double, with an RBI and a run scored. Derek Harwell had 2 hits, including a double with 2 runs scored. Ethan Mather had 3 singles and 2 walks in 5 plate appearances with a run and an RBI. John Neill scored 3 times, drove in a run and had 2 hits. Chris Loveday singled twice with a sacrifice and 2 runs scored. Justin Johnson singled twice, scored twice and drove in a run, going 2-for-2. Corey Wiley had an RBI double and scored. Ryne Armstrong had an RBI. Matt Jordan singled and scored.

For the Cardinals, Cameron Beaver walked twice, stole a base and scored. Chance Sossamon singled twice and stole 2 bases. Austin Lepper double, stole a base and scored. Jordan Hickman had an RBI single. Braxton Perry singled.