POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - Three Rivers' offense continued to shine with a four-game sweep to open Region XVI play.
The Raiders beat Metropolitan 14-0 and 14-4 on Sunday before winning Monday's opener 9-0 in five innings and the nightcap 13-6.
"It was good for our kids. The two super sophomores (Jenny Morey and Zoe Bisby) are the only two who have played a region game. Last year's group didn't get to," Three Rivers coach Jeff Null said.
The Raiders (15-0, 4-0 Region XVI) have now scored at least 10 runs in 12 of their 15 games and lead the nation in team batting average (.476) and team on-base percentage (.526).
Lauren Joyner hit three home runs Monday to give her seven for the season.
She had a 2-run walk-off home run in the fifth inning of the opener. It was the Raiders' fourth home run in the game, with Molly Spangler, Brianna Everett, and Makayla Bryant also sending one over the fence.
In a come-from-behind win in the nightcap, Joyner was 3 for 4 with two home runs and five RBIs. Her 3-run homer in the sixth inning capped a five-run inning for the Raiders.
Three Rivers had a chance to end the game early but stranded the walk-off run at second base. Everett and Jamie Lee also had home runs in the nightcap.
"We cruised the first three games and came out (in Monday's nightcap) a little sloppy," Null said. "That's when we dug done. They did a great job of bouncing back."
Lee, Spangler and Fayth Rakes all had home runs in Sunday's opener. Lee scored four times while Spangler and Rakes each had four RBIs.
Three Rivers put together 20 hits in the nightcap, with Lee going 4 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs. She had a 2-run homer, and Kyla Puckett had a pinch-hit home run, as well.
Lee, the Raiders' leadoff hitter, is second on the team with six home runs to go with 13 stolen bases.
"The offense is explosive. That's why it was so frustrating the first 3-4 innings. We were popping up a lot, reaching, just trying to do too much," Null said.
Metropolitan (6-12, 0-4) led for 1 1/2 innings total between all four games.
Scott Borkgren - Daily American Republic