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Junior pitcher Ethan Mather flirted with a no-hitter against state-ranked Blue Springs Friday, April 11, leading Ozark High School to a 4-0 victory in Blue & Red Baseball Tournament action at Parkview High School in Springfield.

Ethan Mather went the distance, striking out 9 with 2 walks, improving to 4-0 for the season. Ethan Mather did not give up a hit until there was one out in the seventh inning when Nate Baker looped a single to center field.

Ozark improved to 8-3 on the season, winning for the sixth consecutive time. Blue Springs fell to 7-4 for the campaign.

The Tigers Brett Neill led off the last of the first inning with a home run, blasting the round-tripper over the left field fence, an opposite field shot for the left-handed hitter. It was the second home run, and second lead-off homer, for Brett Neill this season.

Defending state champion Blue Springs starting pitcher Kyle Barbeck, a tall lefty, hit the next batter, Levi Presley, and gave up a single to the next, Derek Harwell.

Then Kyle Barbeck and Ethan Mather engaged in an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel. Barbeck was the losing pitcher, but struck out 7 and did not walk a batter.

Ozark would not score again until the sixth inning. Shortstop Chris Loveday started the Ozark sixth with a double to right center field. Matt Jackson was then hit by a pitch. With one out, Matt Jordan laid down a perfect bunt single, loading the bases with one out. Brett Neill was hit by a pitch, earning a run batted in as Chris Loveday was forced home.

Levi Presley followed with a 2-run single to put the Tigers on top 4-0.

Ethan Mather struck out 2 in the final inning, giving up a walk to Sam Guffey and the single to Nate Baker between K’s.

Ozark got production up and down the lineup against a good left handed starter:

Brett Neill finished with a homer and 2 RBI to spark the Ozark offense.

Levi Presley delivered a 2-run single and was hit by a pitch.

Derek Harwell finished with 3 hits in the game for the Gtigers, stealing a base.

John Neill had a sacrifice and Ethan Mather walked for the Ozark offense.

Chris Loveday finished with a double and a run scored.

Matt Jackson singled, was hit by a pitch and scored a run.

Corey Wiley sacrificed and singled for Ozark.

Matt Jordan singled and scored for the Tigers.

The Tigers defense got a key double play from third baseman Derek Harwell to second baseman Brett Neill to first baseman Corey Wiley in the sixth, and catcher John Neill gunned down a would-be base stealer in the second.

The Tigers will be back in action at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12 against Parkview at Parkview. The final Ozark game of the tournament will be determined by pool play at the three other sites.