ELLSINORE -- When Poplar Bluff's Morgan Courtney scored on an East Carter error at third base, the Mules looked to be in decent shape with a 4-2 lead.
But a single by Anna Willis in the fifth drove in two runs and regained the lead for the Redbirds, one they wouldn't relinquish.
East Carter (14-5) added three more runs in the sixth to pull away from Poplar Bluff (7-10) for an 8-4 win at home.
Willis led the hosts with a pair of hits and as many RBIs. Naomi and Elizabeth Crowley both paced the Redbirds with two runs scored, a hit and an RBI. Elizabeth struck out four in a complete game performance, allowing four runs -- three earned.
Savannah Hicks led the Mules with two RBIs.
Thursday's games
FALL BASEBALL
Bernie 18, Puxico 0, 3 inn
Bernie scored a dozen runs in the first inning and six more in the third to annihilate Puxico on the road. John Nimmo went 3 for 3 with three RBIs and a run scored.
Jaden McGowen tallied six RBIs, scored three runs and had two hits. He equaled Weston Zoll and Wyatt Barnett for the team lead in runs scored.
Bernie (10-4) didn't surrender a hit to Puxico (2-8).
Holcomb 12, Bloomfield 2, 5 inn
The Holcomb Hornets laid a stinger on Bloomfield (0-13) Thursday.
Holcomb gave up just two hits and recorded 14 of its own in the blowout.
Jimmie Davis and Wilson McGee combined for six strikeouts and just one earned run. McGee got the start and earned the win.
Nate Rhew led the Hornets (6-7) with three hits.
Gavin Chasteen tallied both of Bloomfield's hits, its only RBI and one of its two runs scored.
Cooter 5, Campbell 1
Cooter scored all five of its runs in the second inning to win its third game in a row as both teams went scoreless the final five.
Three walks in the second started the trouble, then two a three-RBI double, an RBI double and an error scored all five runs in three sequences for Cooter (13-1).
Gordon Todd was the only Campbell (8-4) player with multiple hits, tallying two, while Ben Barnett earned the team's only RBI.
East Carter 13, Neelyville 3, 5 inn
Jordan Douglas drove in four runs, and Dalton Rudd sent home another three as East Carter (9-3) routed Neelyville (2-11). Douglas also put up two hits and scored three runs.
Douglas, Rudd and Cody Hampton all hit homers on the day as the Redbirds ran away early, scoring at least three runs in every inning.
FALL SOFTBALL
Doniphan 6, Neelyville 0
Doniphan finally broke through against Neelyville (9-5) after the game was scoreless for three innings. The Donettes broke the tie with a run in the fourth and made their lead much more comfortable in the fifth with four more runs.
Jaylin Dutton tallied three hits and two RBIs for Doniphan (12-2). Madison Eddington matched her RBI output with two of her own to go along with a pair of hits and two runs scored. Kaylee Davis put on a pitching show, striking out 10 and allowing just one hit in the shutout.
Van Buren 20, Bakersfield 8, 6 inn
Van Buren scored in every inning, topped off by nine runs in the sixth, for a big win at Bakersfield (3-8).
Brooke Jackson drove in five runs to lead the team, while Gracie Chilton tallied a four-hit day and scored three runs. Overall, Van Buren (4-8) recorded 16 hits and allowed six.
Hailie Hampton struck out eight in a complete game performance.
VOLLEYBALL
Dexter 2, Bell City 0 (25-9, 25-13)
Dexter recorded its fifth straight win after defeating Bell City in straight sets Thursday.
The Bearcats (5-3) benefited from an all-around performance offensively. Alexa Werneck led the team with seven kills, while Maycie Martin had five and Blair Rogers and Chloe Thurmon both tallied four.
Dulcie Pullen distributed well with 12 assists, and Shelby Bishop added another 10. Werneck and Natalie Sitze were both solid behind the service line with five aces apiece.