Outlaws blank Military All-Stars

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July 9, 2012

Outlaws blank Military All-Stars

By Richard Polen Globe Sports Writer The Joplin Globe Mon Jul 09, 2012, 11:56 PM CDT

Rob Vessell pitched an inning of hitless relief and was the winning pitcher Monday night in the Joplin Outlaws 2-0 victory against the U.S. Military All-Stars at Wendell Redden Stadium.

Vessell, head coach of the Outlaws and pitching coach at Crowder College, struck out two of the four batters he faced. He walked one, which prompted a visit to the mound by Outlaws assistant coach Patrick Deao.

“They needed to have fun and it was fun for us coaches to open up the yearbook and play again,” said Vessell, originally from Russelville, Ark., who pitched at Arkansas Tech.

“It meant a lot for our guys to have the opportunity to talk to their guys about what it’s like overseas,” Vessell said. “It was a great atmosphere tonight.”

Deao entered the game in the third inning after starting right fielder Cody Ball was hit by a pitch. Deao, who played right field at Missouri Southern, walked and was caught stealing in his only plate appearance.

“It wasn’t planned for me to play right field,” Deao said.

“It was planned for me to get one at bat, but me playing outfield definitely was not planned.”

Missouri state representatives Bill Lant, Charlies Davis and Bill Reiboldt threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Joplin resident George Carey was recognized for his military service. He said he served in the Navy from 1970-94, eight years on active duty and 16 years as a reserve. He was a P3 Orion air crewman who logged 5,300 flight hours. He retired and moved to Joplin five years ago, he said.

Joplin scored both its runs in the third inning off right-hander Joe Zringo, who pitched a six-inning complete game, allowed five hits, walked one and struck out seven.

Patrick Drake led off the third inning with a double, moved to third on an infield single by Zack Steadman and scored on Justin Treece’s sacrifice fly. A double to left-center field by Ben Smith drove in Steadman.

Outlaws starter Ethan Mather allowed three hits in two innings. Vessell was the third of six Outlaws pitchers.

Joplin is scheduled to play Wednesday at Sedalia and Thursday at Nevada before the Outlaws face Ozark on Thursday and Friday at Carthage. St. Joseph will play at Joplin in a doubleheader at 6 p.m. Monday.

Two makeup games have been added to the home schedule, general manager Mark Rains said. Chillicothe will play at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 18 and Ozark will play a doubleheader at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, he said.