By Anvil Welch
Globe Sports Writer
Bolivar was a real spoiler for the Joplin Miners American Legion baseball team on Saturday night.
But there is hope for the Miners and it starts with cheering for the Andover Trojans.
Bolivar beat the Miners 7-5 to drop Joplin to 2-1 in Pool A in the JSA/Roper Classic at Joe Becker Stadium.
But if Andover knocks off Bolivar today in a pool game the Liberators slip to 1-2 and Joplin, thanks to head-to-head results as the No. 1 criteria, advances into the 3 p.m. championship game against Wagoner Three Rivers.
Amazingly, Bolivar will be playing for the opportunity to finish first or seventh, according to classic director Kirk Harryman.
Right-hander Gage Jacobs, who will be a junior at Bolivar High School, limited Joplin to six hits and two earned runs.
Said Bolivar coach Eric Briggs: “Gage was in the strike zone a lot and effectively changed speeds. He’s a competitor, too, which makes it more fun for a coach.”
Jacobs did have trouble with swift leadoff hitter Dane Kolkmeyer.
Shortstop Kolkmeyer, who’s signed with Missouri Southern, tripled twice and singled and scored four runs.
Second baseman Taylor Byrd drove in three runs for the Miners.
Bolivar, trailing 3-2, scored three times in the third and added single tallies in the fourth and fifth.
Shortstop Jason Myers walked to open the third. He scored on singles by left fielder Weston Welch and center fielder Tyler Welch.
Jody Fisher drew a pass before Joplin secured a force at second on right fielder Josh Chamberlain’s roller. But that scored Weston Welch.
Drew Douthitt threw out Chamberlain trying to steal second for the second out. But third baseman Seth Hopwood singled home Tyler Welch.
Jacobs singled and wound up scoring on an error in the fourth. Chamberlain was hit by a pitch in the fifth and eventually scored on second baseman Phillip Davolt’s single.
Jacobs allowed only Kolkmeyer’s two triples over the last five innings.
Sports
June 21, 2009
Bolivar upends Miners
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Heat take 2-0 lead into Boston in East finals
- McIlroy recovers from rugged start for 71
- Former equipment manager sues Rams
- Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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