Cassville Democrat: Local News: Wildcats beat Seneca to open Big 8 play (03/28/12)

Back safely Chuck Nickle Photography Ben Makela, a senior at Cassville, dives back to first base during Monday night's Big 8 Conference win over Seneca.

The Cassville Wildcats opened Big 8 Conference play with an 8-4 victory over Seneca on Monday night.

"I really believe we took a step in the right direction tonight," said Cassville coach Kyle Wood. "We were solid defensively."

Seneca jumped out front 2-0 in the first inning only to witness Cassville plate five runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run by Garrett Kirk.

Keeping them close Chuck Nickle Photography Cassville's Ricky Nichols applies a tag to a Seneca base runner during Monday night's 8-4 victory.

The Indians added a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning to put the score at 4-5. The Wildcats countered with three tallies in the bottom half of the inning to earn the win.

"I told the team after the game that we have to get better hitting with runners in scoring position," said Wood. "The key to our season will be the fact that we have to improve. We can't become complacent with being who we are. We have to strive to get better."

John Cavness earned the victory on the mound for the Wildcats. The senior pitched five and two-thirds innings, scattered six hits and allowed three earned runs while striking out nine.

Josh Sexton earned a four-out save, pitching one and one-third innings and facing the minimum four batters.

The Cassville Wildcats travel to Springfield Catholic on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.