Outlaws edge Nevada 2-1, halt five-game losing streak

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Related Photos

Globe/Roger Nomer Joplin's Taylor Eaves (right) is greeted at the dugout after scoring the Outlaws' first run against Nevada on Saturday night at Wendell Redden Stadium.
Globe/Roger Nomer Joplin's Kyle Dickens hits a run-scoring double.
Globe/Roger Nomer Joplin starting pitcher Griffen Glaude allows only two hits and one run in six innings against Nevada.
Globe/Roger Nomer Joplin Outlaws players were decked out in pink gear on Saturday for their annual Pink in the Park event for Breast Cancer Awareness.

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June 23, 2012

Outlaws edge Nevada 2-1, halt five-game losing streak

By Richard Polen Globe Sports Writer The Joplin Globe Sat Jun 23, 2012, 11:23 PM CDT

Griffen Glaude and Ethan Mather held league-leading Nevada to two hits Saturday night as the Joplin Outlaws defeated the Griffons 2-1 in a MINK League game at Wendell Redden Stadium.

Glaude, a right-hander who pitched for Central Arkansas last spring, allowed both hits, walked three and struck out four. Mather picked up his second save with three innings of hitless relief.

Glaude said he had good command of his curveball most of the night to go along with his fastball.

“It felt good in the bullpen before the game, and it felt good in the game,” he said. “My arm felt really good all night and I was able to keep my command in the later innings better than I have been.”

The Outlaws, 10-12 overall and 8-12 in the league after breaking a five-game losing streak, scored both of their runs in the second inning on three hits. Taylor Eaves hit a one-out single, stole second and scored on Kyle Dickens’ double down the right-field line.

Then with two out, second baseman Jimmy Obermark hit a one-hopper that deflected off the glove of Nevada pitcher Tommy Bush and slowly rolled toward second baseman John Alenzia. Obermark beat the throw to first base.

“Once I saw it get past the pitcher, I just ran even harder,” said Obermark, who was 2-for-3. “I had a feeling I could beat it out.”

Nevada’s only run came in the fifth inning on a one-out single by Josh Samuelson, a hit batsman and back-to-back walks to Stuart Jeck and Eric Seusanes that forced in a run. Glaude ended the inning when A.J. Krist hit a one-hopper back to the pitcher.

Mather, who pitched at Crowder College last spring, walked one and struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced. He has signed to play at Drury.

“That was the Mather I saw at Crowder,” said Outlaws head coach Rob Vessell. “Griffen gave us a good start with six strong innings. The days off showed our guys were rested and ready to play tonight.”