By Levi Payton
sports@joplinglobe.com
The Nevada Griffons scored ten times in the final three innings, with the help of eight Joplin errors, to beat the Outlaws 10-6 in MINK League action on Wednesday at the Joplin Athletic Complex.
The big blow, however, came in the 10th inning as the Griffons plated four runs on two Joplin errors. The Outlaws (10-17, 9-17 MINK League) made things interesting in the bottom of the inning as they sent the tying run to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. But Griffons reliever Nick Phillips got Cody Stephens to lift a pop up to the infield to end the game.
It was all Outlaws early on as they took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning, but the Griffons exploded for four runs as they batted around in the top of the seventh off Outlaws reliever Cody Allen to take a 4-3 lead. Tyler Smith walked and Matt McLaughlin was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning before John Wagle reached on an error to load the bases.
Taylor House then blooped a single down the line in right field to score a run and Jason Houston hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2 Joplin. Peter Barrows reached on an error to score Wagle and House to make it 4-3.
The Outlaws tied in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Skyler Rawlins which scored Jake Taylor to make it 4-4. Still, the Griffons wouldn’t go away.
The teams continued to trade blows as Nevada plated a pair of runs in the eighth on two hits and two more Joplin errors. Smith singled to lead off the inning and moved over to second on a McLaughlin sac bunt. He then scored when Wagle lined a single to the outfield to make it 5-4. Wagle then used the two Joplin errors to come around and make it 6-4.
Joplin again rebounded and tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Chase Barnes walked before Tyler McNeely ripped a deep drive to center. McNeely was nearly robbed on the blast when House attempted to make a basket catch while on the run at the warning track.
House couldn’t quite corral it though as the ball glanced off his mitt, allowing Barnes to move to third while McNeely coasted into second with a double. Barnes later scored on a Taylor sacrifice fly to center and McNeely crossed the dish on a Wes Starkes infield single to make it 6-6.
Things were looking much brighter for the Outlaws in the early going. They drew first blood in the third inning when Barnes, McNeely and Sean Mattson led off the inning with successive singles. Mattson’s floater into right scored Barnes with the first run of the evening.
Joplin added two more runs in the fifth as McNeely and Mattson each singled and scored. With the bases loaded, Wes Starkes was plunked by a fastball to force in McNeely, giving the Outlaws a 2-0 lead. Shayne Hoke then made it 3-0 Outlaws when he lifted a sacrifice fly into center to plate Mattson.
The Outlaws finished with 17 hits. Mattson led the charge with four hits, while McNeely and Starkes each had three and Barnes added two.
The Outlaws get set for a long road trip before returning home next Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tilt against Des Moines (Iowa) at Joplin Athletic Complex.
Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
Griffs strike in 10th to trip Outlaws 10-6
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
