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MINK LEAGUE: Joplin Outlaws’ season comes to an end against Sedalia in South Championship

SEDALIA, Mo. — The season for the Joplin Outlaws officially came to a close after a 9-3 loss to the Sedalia Bombers in the MINK League South Championship on Tuesday.

After three scoreless innings, Joplin landed the first blow with a run touching home in the top of the fourth inning. Sedalia answered right back with a single tally in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game before stealing the momentum for good with a six-run fifth inning to move in front 7-1. The Bombers added two more runs in the sixth on the way to the win. Joplin added a run in the eighth and ninth innings.

Sedalia moves on to play Clarinda in the MINK League Championship three-game set that starts on Thursday.

The Outlaws finish the season with a 19-22 record, with a second-place standing in the South Division in Chris Dawson’s first year as manager.

Jake McMahill started and earned the win for Sedalia after allowing one unearned run on five hits, a walk and six strikeouts in six innings.

Jake Algee took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

The six-run fifth for the Bombers (21-17) was highlighted by a three-run homer for Gideon Antel, who finished the game with three RBI and two runs scored. Kellen Williamson had three hits, two RBI and two runs scored.

Brandon Ulmer had a hit and an RBI to lead Joplin, while Drake Angeron had a hit and scored a run. Brett Wiemers and Jared Toler each had two hits and scored a run.

RALLY HATS: Joplin’s three-run 8th leads to come-from-behind win over Jeff City in wild card round

Joplin has seen its fair share of come-from-behind victories this season but none were bigger than what transpired Monday night against Jefferson City.

Trailing 3-2 heading into the last of the eighth inning, the Outlaws rallied for three runs to keep their season alive, defeating the Renegades 5-3 in the MINK League wild card game at Joe Becker Stadium.

“(The resilience) is always there,” first-year Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “They don’t want to quit. At the end of the day they say, because it’s at the end of the summer, it would be nice to go home, but you walk in here at seven o’clock and you see people in the stands and it’s go time. They are going to put their best foot forward and do what they need to do to try and win a ball game.”

ON THE MOUND

Joplin’s Christian DeJesus, who tied the Outlaws’ single-season strikeout record at 53, delivers a strike to home in the win over Jeff City on Monday. Photo by Israel Perez.

Christian DeJesus earned the start for Joplin and took a no-decision after allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits, zero walks and seven significant strikeouts. Missouri Southern’s Cale McCallister didn’t allow a run in 1 2/3 relief innings, walking one. John Kea earned the win in relief after allowing one run on two walks and a strikeout. Justin Schrader earned the save with a hit and two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

“I think I have said all of the good things I can say about this staff all summer long,” Dawson said. “Other than the one random game, everyone in our freaking bullpen steps up for us. … It just shows you the depth we’ve had.”

Austin Brewer earned the start for Jefferson City and took a no-decision after allowing two runs on three hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in six innings. Deejay Seelbach took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in one relief inning. Kolin Demel allowed one run on one hit, two walks and three strikeouts in one relief inning.

IN THE HISTORY BOOKS

DeJesus tied the single-season strikeout record for the Outlaws in the win over Jeff City. DeJesus struck out Demel in the top of the fifth for his 53rd punch-out of the season.

“The stuff has been nails all summer long,” Dawson said. “That is huge. That is one of two records we have been able to break or tie. When it is an individual record like that, you are just happy for the kid. He works his butt off. He shows up every day and is ready to pitch for us whenever his number is called.”

GAME ACTION

Joplin’s Caden Bressler throws to first for a putout in the Outlaws’ wild card win over Jeff City on Monday at Joe Becker Stadium. Photo by Israel Perez.

Joplin got on the scoreboard quickly to take the initial advantage after crossing home twice in the bottom of the first inning. Ethan Ellis put the Outlaws on the board with an RBI single to score Drake Angeron, who singled to lead off the inning, before a double steal with runners on first and third culminated in Caleb Feuerstake swiping home to push the lead to 2-0.

After a leadoff single from Brady Voss to start the top of the fourth inning for Jeff City, Carter Mize singled through the right side. Voss attempted to take third on the single by Mize, with the throw from the outfield ending up in the Outlaws’ dugout to allow Voss to score and Mize to move to third with no outs in the frame. Jeff City tied the game up at 2-2 shortly after when Hamilton Anderson doubled down the line to right with one out to plate Mize. 

The Renegades pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth when Mize, who walked with two outs, went to second on a wild pitch. He advanced to third on another wild pitch, with the throw from the plate to third heading into left field, allowing him to score and give Jeff City a 3-2 advantage.

The Outlaws roared back in the bottom of the eighth. Angeron led off the inning with a single before stealing second. Feuerstake followed with an RBI single to right-center to plate Angeron and tie the game at 3-3 and moved to second on the throw to the cutoff.

Feuerstake stole third in the next at-bat, which was followed by a Jeb Jenkins walk, who immediately stole second to put runners on second and third with no outs. Ellis followed with an RBI double to right-center to plate two runs, giving Joplin a 5-3 advantage.

“I knew he was throwing a lot of fastballs, so I went up there expecting it,” Ellis said. “It was probably going to be a little up in the zone. I got a fastball middle-away in the zone and took it the other way. It felt amazing.”

“This one meant a lot,” Ellis added about the win. “This team never quits. Whether it’s the first inning, fifth inning or ninth inning, we are always going to be there and we are always going to be competing.” 

“For our offense to come back, Drake Angeron started it off, getting the base hit and stealing second. Then Caleb coming through, and Caleb has been swinging it well the last two weeks. Jeb was able to get the walk and was smart to take second base. And I don’t know if anyone has paid attention, but Ethan Ellis has been on a different planet for the last couple of weeks. It was good for him to be up in that situation and hit that line drive.” 

Joplin’s Ethan Ellis dives back to first on a throw over during the Outlaws’ win over Jeff City on Monday. Photo by Israel Perez.

IN THE BOX

Ellis led the Outlaws with two hits, including a double, and a team-high three RBI, while Feuerstake doubled in one of his two hits, scored twice and drove in one. Angeron had two hits and scored two runs.

Anderson led the Renegades with two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Mize doubled and scored twice.

UP NEXT

Joplin travels to Sedalia to play the South Division champion Bombers (20-17) in the MINK League divisional round of the playoffs at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

“We’ve played Sedalia well all year long,” Dawson said. “We’ve split with them four games to four games. It’s going to be a grind. They are going to have their dude on the mound and we are going to have one of our dudes on the mound. It is just going to be a fun game and a fun atmosphere. Hopefully we can be on the right side of it.”

MINK LEAGUE: Outlaws beat Renegades in regular season finale; Joplin will host wild-card game Monday

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. With a home playoff game on the line, the Joplin Outlaws defeated the Jefferson City Renegades 6-0 on Saturday night in a MINK League clash at Vivion Field.

With the win, the Outlaws (18-21) earned the No. 2 seed for the South Division playoffs. Joplin also secured the right to host No. 3 Jefferson City (16-19) at 7 on Monday in a wild-card playoff game at Joe Becker Stadium.

The Outlaws pushed across a single tally in the second inning on Caden Bressler’s sacrifice fly. 

Joplin added a run in the sixth on Jared Toler’s RBI double.

The Outlaws blew the game open by plating four runs in the top of the ninth. 

Caleb Feuerstake delivered a three-run double and he later scored from third on a wild pitch for a six-run cushion. 

Drake Angeron, Logan Cline and Toler had two hits apiece for the Outlaws. 

Clayton Saporito earned the pitching victory after tossing five scoreless innings. He scattered seven hits and struck out four.

Jack O’Brien, Austin Gottula, Christian DeJesus and Justin Schrader pitched one scoreless inning apiece in relief to preserve the shutout. 

The Renegades managed just seven hits against Joplin’s five pitchers. 

Jefferson City’s Xander Lovin took the loss after allowing two runs on six hits in six innings. 

Monday’s winner advances in the playoffs to play No. 1 Sedalia.

MINK LEAGUE: Outlaws suffer loss to Renegades

 

A three-run eighth inning led the Jefferson City Renegades to a 5-2 win over the Joplin Outlaws on Friday night in MINK League action at Vivion Field. 

The game was deadlocked at two when Jefferson City’s Hamilton Anderson hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The visitors failed to score in the ninth. 

The Outlaws are now 17-21, while the Renegades are 16-18.

The Renegades took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Carter Mize’s RBI double. 

Joplin tied it up in the second when Cam Pfafman delivered an RBI single.

The Outlaws took the lead in the fifth, as Brett Wiemers scored on an Ethan Ellis RBI single. 

Jefferson City’s Josef Keilholz homered in the seventh to tie the game at 2-2. 

Jared Toler, Pfafman, Wiemers and Ellis recorded two hits apiece for the Outlaws. 

Caden Bressler took the loss after allowing three runs in four innings. 

Jefferson City’s Tony Neubeck earned the win after tossing four scoreless innings in relief. He struck out six and scattered four hits. 

The Outlaws take on the Renegades again at 7 on Saturday night in the regular season finale. Saturday’s winner will earn the No. 2 seed in the South Division and will host the loser in a wild-card playoff game on Monday night. 

MINK LEAGUE: Ellis’ home run propels Outlaws past Bombers

 

SEDALIA, Mo. — Ethan Ellis hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Joplin Outlaws to a 6-4 come-from-behind victory over the Sedalia Bombers on Thursday night in MINK League action at Liberty Park Stadium.

The Outlaws hiked their record to 17-20 with the win, while the Bombers are now 20-17.

Joplin trailed 4-3 after eight innings, but the visitors plated three runs in the ninth. Drake Angeron singled and later scored on Caleb Feuerstake’s game-tying RBI double. 

Ellis then smacked a two-run home run to left-center that ended up the game-winner, as the hosts failed to score in the bottom half of the ninth. 

Feuerstake went 3-for-4 with two runs scored to lead the Outlaws’ 12-hit attack. 

Angeron and Ellis added two hits apiece. Angeron homered and drove in two runs. Logan Cline had one RBI, while Cade Lott scored one run. 

Justin Schrader was the winning pitcher. He went 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs while striking out four. 

Jake Algee picked up the save by tossing a scoreless ninth. John Kea started and went 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out five.

Sedalia’s Daniel Juarez took the loss after allowing three runs in the ninth. 

The Bombers, who have already clinched the South Division championship, hit three home runs, one apiece by Brandon Stahlman, Jacob McWhirter and Parker Serio.

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Outlaws play at Jefferson City at 7 on Friday night. 

 

MINK LEAGUE: Outlaws split pair with Bombers

 

The Joplin Outlaws split a doubleheader with the Sedalia Bombers on Wednesday night at Liberty Park Stadium.

The Outlaws won the opener 13-3 before falling 8-6 in the second game. The Bombers clinched the South Division championship by winning the nightcap.

 

JOPLIN 13, SEDALIA 3

The Outlaws plated nine runs in a huge first inning. The visitors added single tallies in both the second and fifth innings and pushed across two runs in the seventh.

The Outlaws scored their 13 runs on 10 hits. 

Logan Cline had a big day at the plate for the Outlaws, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and six RBI. 

Caleb Feuerstake and Jared Toler had two hits apiece for the Outlaws, while Caden Bressler, Calen Protaskey, Feuerstake and Toler all scored two runs apiece. 

Jack O’Brien went the distance and earned the win on the mound. O’Brien scattered six hits and allowed just two earned runs while striking out six.

 

SEDALIA 8, JOPLIN 6

This one was a back and forth affair. Both teams plated two runs in the first before the Bombers added a single tally in the second. 

Joplin pushed across four runs in the third, only to see the hosts score three times in the bottom half.

With the game tied at six, the Bombers plated two runs in the fourth.

Jeb Jenkins and Feuerstake both homered for the Outlaws. Jenkins drove in four runs on two hits, including a grand slam. Cade Lott also had two hits for Joplin.

Zach Hill started on the mound for the Outlaws and allowed five earned runs on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings. Ward Richardson took the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in one inning. Bressler tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.

Austin Droge was the winning pitcher. 

Sedalia’s Braden McGinnis went 3-for-4 for the Bombers, who recorded 14 hits in the seven inning affair. 

The Outlaws stole their 118th base of the summer, a new MINK League record. 

After the split, the Outlaws are 16-20 on the season, four games back of Sedalia (20-16) in the South Division standings. 

The Outlaws meet the Bombers again on Thursday night.

WINTER SEASON: Local athletes recognized as SoMo Sports Athletes of the Year

At SoMo Sports, we understand the importance of student-athletes competing in prep sports in terms of development, both mentally and physically, for young adults who are preparing for life after high school.

Not only does competing in prep sports help build character, but it also provides student-athletes with tools such as communication, leadership and self-drive that will benefit them as they continue on life’s journey. 

With that in mind, SoMo Sports wanted to honor the top athletes in the area who put in countless hours of hard work during practice, workouts, games/meets as well as on their own time by naming them as a SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year.

The Athlete of the Year selections go out to the top area athlete in each sport during the fall, winter and spring prep seasons. 

The standout athletes are chosen by SoMo Sports reporters Jason Peake and Lucas Davis, who tirelessly cover prep sports for Joplin and its surrounding communities during the school year. Along with nominations by area coaches, SoMo Sports used individual accomplishments during the regular season and postseason as well as team success as factors for choosing each Athlete of the Year. 

The SoMo Sports Athletes of the Year awards will be divided up in three stories—fall, winter and spring. Each sport will have an Athlete of the Year, and if warranted, there may be one or two honorable mentions per sport as well.

The SoMo Sports Athletes of the Year three-part story is sponsored by Cell Phone Medics.

SOMO SPORTS WINTER ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

 

Boys Basketball

Nickhai Howard, senior, Webb City

Nickhai Howard was a true stat-sheet stuffer for the Webb City Cardinals. A 5-foot-11 do-it-all point guard, Howard averaged 14.3 points, eight rebounds, five assists and just under three steals per game as a senior.  Howard earned first team all-COC honors after the season, which ended in a district championship game.  Howard is heading to Labette Community College in Parsons, Kansas, where he’ll be competing in one of the top JUCO basketball conferences in the nation. 

Honorable Mention: Always Wright, Joplin; Miller Long, College Heights 

 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Lacy Stokes, senior, Mount Vernon 

Stokes, a 5-foot-4 senior left-handed point guard who is committed to Missouri Southern, capped off a remarkable prep career with an incredible senior season. She finished the season averaging 25.8 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 6.1 steals per game on the defensive end. Along with fellow senior Ellie Johnston, Stokes helped lead Mount Vernon to a runner-up finish in the Class 4 state tournament while winning the Big 8 Conference as well as the Class 4 District 12 championship along the way. The Mountaineers finished the season with a 28-4 record and had a 15-game winning streak leading into the title game. 

Stokes was named to the Missouri Class 4 All-State team, while earning Class 4 District 12, Big 8 East and 4 State Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year honors. Stokes’ top scoring performances in a senior season that she surpassed 2,000 career points includes 42 points against McDonald County, 41 points against Springfield Catholic and 39 points against Vashon in the Class 4 state semifinals

Honorable Mention: Destiny Buerge, Carl Junction; Kayleigh Teeter, McAuley Catholic 

 

GIRLS SWIMMING

Emma Lacey, senior, Carl Junction

In a stellar end to her solid prep swimming career, Emma Lacey recorded an all-state finish in three events and played a key role as the Carl Junction Bulldogs finished sixth at the Class 1 MSHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships. The sixth-place showing was the best in program history for Carl Junction.  A senior, Lacey finished fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 7 seconds. The Bulldogs’ 200-yard medley relay team of Lacey, Skyler Sundy, Sophia Hensley and Chloe Miller finished second with a time of 1:50.  

Carl Junction’s 200 freestyle relay team of Lacey, Alanza Montez, Sundy and Miller placed third in 1:39. The Bulldogs just missed another all-state finish in the 400 freestyle relay, as Lacey, Miller, Montez and Sundy were ninth with a time of 3:46.

Lacey, a four-time state qualifier, played a crucial role as the Bulldogs won the Central Ozark Conference championship for the second straight season.  At the COC meet, Lacey won the 50 freestyle and swam a leg of two winning relays (200 freestyle, 400 freestyle). She was the runner-up in the 100 breaststroke. 

Honorable Mention: Chloe Miller, Carl Junction; Madison Riley, Carthage

 

BOYS WRESTLING

Cayden Auch, senior, Neosho

Auch, an Arkansas Little-Rock commit, made the most of his final season in what was a storied career with the Wildcats. Auch, wrestling at 160 pounds in his senior season, finished the year with a 49-0 record on the way to winning his fourth straight Class 3 state title. Auch’s 3-0 record in the state tournament came by major decision, fall and by decision in the title match over Liberty’s Wyatt Haynes. Auch, the first Neosho wrestler to go undefeated on the way to a state title since Curtis Longstreet and Blake Stauffer, was also named the Missouri Class 3 Wrestler of the Year. 

 

GIRLS WRESTLING

Annie Moore, sophomore, Cassville

Moore, wrestling at 112 pounds, finished her second prep season with a 34-1 record on the way to winning the Class 1 state title. The exclamation point at the end of the season in the form of a state title was the first in Cassville history. On her way to her first state title and second state tournament appearance, Moore finished with three falls in the Class 3 sectional tournament and went 3-0 with three falls to close out her season as champion.

MINK LEAGUE: Joplin Outlaws suffer loss at Sedalia

 

SEDALIA, Mo. — A five-run eighth inning propelled the Sedalia Bombers to an 8-3 win over the Joplin Outlaws on Tuesday night in MINK League action at Liberty Park Stadium. 

The game was deadlocked when the Bombers erupted for five runs in the game-changing eighth inning.

The Outlaws fell to 15-19, while the first-place Bombers improved to 19-15. The Outlaws are now four games back in the South Division standings.

The Outlaws, who scored twice in the fifth and once in the sixth, recorded seven hits.

Caleb Feuerstake reached base four times with two doubles and a pair of walks for the Outlaws, while Brett Wiemers and Logan Cline drove in one run apiece.

Christian DeJesus started for Joplin and went five innings. He allowed one earned run on four hits while striking out eight in a no-decision. Austin Gottula was charged with the loss. He gave up six runs, three earned, on four hits in three innings.

Bennett Brownfield was the winning pitcher. He tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, striking out three. Antonio Escano started and allowed three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Daniel Juarez recorded the final three outs. 

Spencer Nivens went 2-for-5 and hit a three-run homer in the eighth. Two runs also scored in the eighth on two Outlaw errors. 

The two teams will meet again on Wednesday night. 

 

MINK LEAGUE: Outlaws split doubleheader with Mudcats

 

The Joplin Outlaws split a MINK League doubleheader with the Chillicothe Mudcats on Monday night at Shaffer Park.

The Mudcats won the opener 3-2 in 13 innings before the Outlaws took the second game 3-1.

The Outlaws are now 15-18 on the season.

 

MUDCATS 3, OUTLAWS 2 

The opener was scoreless until the top of the 11th inning when the Outlaws plated two runs on run-scoring singles from Jeb Jenkins and Caden Bressler.

The Mudcats answered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame, as Braedyn Brewer hit an RBI triple and Josh Swinehart contributed a run-scoring single.

Chillicothe’s Greyson Barrett launched a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 13th inning. 

The Outlaws recorded 11 hits in the game, which took nearly four hours to complete. Ethan Ellis went 4-for-6, while Brett Wiemers, Caleb Feuerstake and Jenkins added two hits apiece. 

Webb City product Cale McCallister of Missouri Southern started for the Outlaws and took a no-decision after tossing six scoreless innings, striking out five. Bressler took the loss. 

Missouri Southern’s Scott Duensing started for the Mudcats and struck out eight in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Zack Cox earned the win. 

 

OUTLAWS 3, MUDCATS 1

The true nightcap, which didn’t end until 12:21 a.m. Tuesday, was a seven-inning affair. 

Joplin pushed across two runs in the third, as Logan Cline scored from third on a wild pitch before Bressler’s RBI groundout. 

The Mudcats (14-18) got a run back in the bottom half of the third on Barrett’s RBI double.

The Outlaws added an insurance run in the seventh when Ellis scored on an error. 

Carl Junction product Jeremiah Kennedy (MSSU) was the winning pitcher. He went four innings and allowed one run on four hits and struck out 11. Kennedy did not walk a batter. 

Ward Richardson pitched two scoreless innings in relief and Masayuki Maruhashi picked up the save after striking out two in a scoreless seventh. 

The Outlaws had five hits, one apiece by Drake Angeron, Logan Cline, Cade Lott, Calen Protaskey and Bressler.

Chillicothe’s Mitch Alba took the loss, but he only allowed two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings while striking out nine. However, Alba walked nine.

Joplin plays at Sedalia (18-15) on Tuesday night. 

 

Webb City boys claim top spot in COC All-Sports Standings for 2020-21

 

Four conference championships and a pair of runner-up finishes propelled Webb City’s boys to a first place finish in the Central Ozark Conference All-Sports Standings for the 2020-21 school year.

Webb City’s boys captured three COC championships in the fall, with outright titles in cross country and swimming and a co-championship in football.

In the spring, the Cardinals added a COC title in boys track, while second place finishes in baseball and golf also proved big in the standings. 

Webb City compiled 77 total points in the standings, while Nixa was second with 72 and Ozark was third with 71. 

Carthage shared the conference title with Webb City in football.

Joplin’s boys won a conference title in golf and took second in track. 

Neosho’s boys claimed conference titles in soccer and wrestling.  

As far as the girls standings, Nixa took first with 77.5 points and Ozark was second with 69.5. 

Nixa’s girls won outright conference titles in tennis, soccer and track, and the Eagles were the co-champs in volleyball. 

Webb City’s girls finished third with 65.5 points. The Cardinals claimed a COC title in softball. 

Joplin’s girls won a conference title in cross country, while Carl Junction’s girls captured a COC title in swimming.  

 

Central Ozark Conference All-Sports Standings

FINAL STANDINGS FOR 2020-21

BOYS

  1. Webb City 77; 2. Nixa 72; 3. Ozark 71; 4. Joplin 59; 5. Carthage 57; 6. Willard 48; 7. Republic 47; 8. Branson 44.5; 9. Neosho 33.5; 10. Carl Junction 31.

GIRLS 

  1. Nixa 77.5; 2. Ozark 69.5; 3. Webb City 65.5; 4. Republic 56.5; 5. Carthage 51; 6. Carl Junction 46; 7. Willard 38; 8. Joplin 33; 9. Branson 30.5; 10. Neosho 20.5.

 

COC CHAMPIONS IN 2020-21

FALL SPORTS

BOYS

Football: Webb City, Carthage (co-champs)

Cross Country: Webb City

Swimming: Webb City

Soccer: Neosho

GIRLS 

Volleyball: Nixa, Willard (co-champs)

Softball: Webb City

Cross Country: Joplin 

Tennis: Nixa

Golf: Ozark

 

WINTER SPORTS

BOYS

Basketball: Nixa

Wrestling: Neosho

 

GIRLS

Basketball: Willard, Republic (co-champs)

Swimming: Carl Junction

Note: Girls wrestling does not crown an official COC champ

 

SPRING SPORTS

BOYS

Baseball: Republic

Golf: Joplin

Tennis: Branson

Track: Webb City

GIRLS

Soccer: Nixa

Track: Nixa

 

MINK LEAGUE: Joplin’s late comeback falls short against Sedalia

 

A late comeback fell just short for the Joplin Outlaws.

The host Outlaws nearly overcame a seven-run deficit by scoring six unanswered runs, but the Sedalia Bombers held on late for a 7-6 win on Sunday night at Joe Becker Stadium.

It was the final regular season home date for the Outlaws, who are now 14-17 on the season. Sedalia, on top of the MINK League’s South Division standings, is now 18-15.

Sedalia pushed across two runs in the top of the first inning on a hit by pitch, a walk, a double steal and sacrifice flies from Braden DeSoria and Braden McGinnis.

The Bombers added four runs in the third and a single tally in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead. 

The Outlaws plated four runs in the fifth. Jeb Jenkins singled, stole second and later scored on an RBI single from Dawson Walters. 

Later in the frame, Logan Cline delivered a three-run double to right field, scoring Walters, Brandon Ulmer and Brett Wiemers. 

Joplin trimmed its deficit to one by scoring two runs in the bottom of the eighth. 

Caleb Feuerstake singled, Ethan Ellis reached on an error and Jared Toler smacked a two-run double into left-center, cutting Sedalia’s lead to 7-6. 

The hosts went down in order in the ninth. 

The Bombers scored their seven runs on just five hits. The Outlaws managed six hits in the game.  

Justin Schrader took the loss for the Outlaws after allowing five earned runs on three hits in three innings.

Austin Gottula, Drew Beyer, Caden Bressler and Christian DeJesus all pitched in relief. The four relievers held the Bombers scoreless over the final six innings. A Carl Junction native, Beyer struck out two in two innings of work. 

Tucker Nunnenkamp picked up the pitching victory for the Bombers. He went 2 2/3 innings and gave up one earned run on two hits while striking out three. Conner Wolf earned the save. 

The Outlaws are scheduled to play a doubleheader at Chillicothe on Monday, with the opener slated for 6:05 p.m.

MSSU’s Parish to sign deal with Texas Rangers

 

Missouri Southern senior left-hander Zach Parish has announced he will sign an undrafted free agent deal with the Texas Rangers.

The consensus Division II National Player of the Year will fly to Texas on Tuesday to officially sign his deal and find out where he will be sent to start his professional journey.

“I have said when one door closes, another one opens,” Parish said. “I want to thank the good Lord above for giving this old man one last hoorah. I’m excited to be where I’m at and excited to see where I go.”

Parish has racked up the awards this season. The Tahlequah, Okla. native was the MIAA Pitcher of the Year, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Region and National Pitcher of the Year, the American Baseball Coaches Association Regional and National Pitcher of the Year, as well as the D2CCA Regional and National Pitcher of the Year. He was a first-team All-MIAA, All-Region and All-American selection by each organization.

Parish became the NCAA Division II all-time leader in strikeouts this season as he ended his career with 488 strikeouts. Parish tied his MSSU single-season strikeout record with 136 this year. Parish also finished the season with the best single-season ERA for a starter in MSSU history (1.21) and the second-best career ERA for a starter (2.16).

This season, Parish led the MIAA and ranked third nationally in strikeouts. He was second in the MIAA and third nationally in wins, while ranking first in the MIAA and eighth nationally in WHIP. He ranked first in the MIAA and fifth nationally in hits allowed per nine innings, while ranking first in the MIAA and second nationally in ERA. Parish was the active career leader in all of college baseball (d1, d2, d3) in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched and starts. Parish finished the season with an 11-1 record and a 1.21 ERA. HE struck out 136 batters, while walking just 25 and held opposing batters to a .162 batting average.

Southern head coach Bryce Darnell couldn’t be any happier for Parish.

“Zach has a tremendous work ethic,” Darnell said. “He has set the tone for our pitchers in every way possible. Our baseball program is very proud of him.”

MINK LEAGUE: Joplin’s snaps Clarinda’s 10-game winning streak

 

Brett Wiemers had a big night at the plate, Drake Angeron’s late-game gamble paid off and the Joplin Outlaws earned a 6-5 win over the Clarinda A’s on Friday in front of a large crowd at Joe Becker Stadium.

The loss snapped league-leading Clarinda’s 10-game winning streak.

“That’s a great team,” Outlaws manager Chris Dawson said of the A’s. “They’re the best in our league. They don’t lose very often. So this was a great team win. That was just a great baseball game. That was a fun one.” 

Clarinda has been the top team in the MINK League all summer, as the A’s now own a record of 26-4.

For the Outlaws (14-16) it was a confidence-building victory.

“Everyone in the MINK League knows what’s been going on in Clarinda,” said Wiemers, who is headed to Pittsburg State after a stint at Neosho County Community College. “To be able to beat them, especially as we get near the end of the season, is a real boost for us.” 

Wiemers had a game to remember. The Pittsburg, Kansas, native went 4-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored to lead Joplin’s offensive attack.

“I’ve been seeing the ball real well the last few games and I’m just trying to find some barrels,” said Wiemers, who played right field and hit in the leadoff spot on Friday. “I wasn’t trying to do too much at the plate. But when you find enough barrels eventually you’ll get one out.” 

A solo home run from Wiemers gave the Outlaws a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. 

Joplin went up 2-0 in the fourth when Angeron singled, stole second and later scored on a Clarinda error. Later in the same inning, Wiemers launched a two-run home run to make it 4-0. 

“Brett really got us going early with the two home runs,” Dawson noted. 

The A’s plated three runs in the top of the fifth to trim the Outlaws’ lead to a single tally. 

Clarinda (31-5 overall) tied it up in the seventh, as Dylan Bailey doubled before Isaac Lopez hit a game-tying RBI single. 

Joplin pulled back ahead in the bottom half of the frame when Logan Cline singled and later scored on Cade Lott’s ground out.

The A’s tied the game in the top of the eighth, but the visitors were unable to do any further damage, as they stranded the bases loaded.

The Outlaws took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth. Angeron walked and later sprinted home from third after a dropped third strike. 

“Drake took a chance there and was able to take home,” Dawson said. “That was big. We did what we needed to do to get the win.” 

Jack O’Brien started on the mound for the Outlaws. He went six innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out four in the no-decision. Austin Gottula, John Kea and Jake Algee pitched in relief. 

Kea, who struck out three in the eighth, was credited with the win, while Algee picked up the save after tossing a scoreless ninth. 

“Jack was awesome,” Dawson said. “He’s been that guy for us all summer long. Gottula got us out of a jam. John was able to minimize the damage in the eighth and that was huge. And Algee closed it out for us. It was a great job by those guys.” 

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Outlaws host the A’s again at 7 on Saturday night. 

 

NEVADA GRIFFONS END SEASON

Following a positive COVID-19 test in the organization, the Nevada Griffons will not play another game this season, a MINK League press release stated Friday.

“It is with great disappointment that the season for the Griffons has ended,” MINK League Commissioner Ron Rodriguez said in the press release. “We wish nothing but the best for the players, coaches, staff, fans, and the Nevada community.”

 

Outlaws starting pitcher Jack O’Brien delivers a pitch during Friday’s game with the Clarinda A’s at Joe Becker Stadium.

 

Drake Angeron hauls in a fly ball in left field. Angeron scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

MINK LEAGUE: Outlaws knock off Griffons, avoid season sweep

The Joplin Outlaws avoided a regular season sweep at the hands of the Nevada Griffons by earning an 8-0 MINK League win over their South Division rival on Thursday night at Joe Becker Stadium. 

The Griffons entered the night 7-0 against the Outlaws this summer. 

“We finally got them and I’ll take it,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “It was a fun game. It was nice to finally get those guys. They had our number all summer. We were able to jump on them early and that’s what I talked about in the locker room before the game. We wanted to jump on them early and we were able to do that.” 

The Outlaws, 3-7 in their last 10, are now 13-16, good for third place in the South Division.

“Hopefully with this game we can turn it around,” Dawson said. “We’ve had a tough two weeks. I’m just glad I can leave the ballpark happy tonight. It was a good win all around.” 

As far as the rest of the South standings, Sedalia is 16-15 and in first place, while second place Nevada is now 14-16 and fourth place Jefferson City is 13-18.

In the final regular season meeting between the teams, the Outlaws took an early lead and never relinquished it. 

Ethan Ellis delivered a two-run single to left in the bottom of the first inning, scoring Brett Wiemers and Caleb Feuerstake.

The Griffons threatened in the third. With two on and two out, Nevada’s Braeden Hinton lifted a high fly ball to deep left, but Ellis made a leaping catch at the fence to end the threat.

“That was huge,” Dawson said. “That was a great play and gave us momentum. It was just a great catch.” 

The Outlaws extended their lead in the bottom of the third, as a three-run double to left off the bat of Jeb Jenkins gave the hosts a five-run cushion. 

The visitors threatened in the seventh, but the Outlaws turned an inning-ending double play.

Joplin added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom half of the seventh. Jared Toler scored from third on a wild pitch before Ethan Lopez contributed a run-scoring single to right to make it 7-0.

In the eighth, Caleb Feuerstake charged home on a wild pitch for the final margin. 

The Outlaws recorded 13 hits, with seven players contributing. Jenkins and Feuerstake had three hits apiece, while Wiemers and Logan Cline contributed two hits apiece. 

The Griffons were limited to three hits by three Joplin pitchers. 

Right-hander Gavin Heltemes started for the Outlaws and tossed four scoreless innings, striking out five and scattering three hits to earn the win.

“That’s been Gavin all summer for us,” Dawson said Heltemes, who plays for Georgia Gwinnett College. “We were finally able to get him a start. He gave us four strong and four zeroes, and that was huge. Anytime he’s on the bump we have faith we’ll at least be in the ballgame or have a chance to win it.” 

Zach Hill pitched three innings in relief, while Ward Richardson went the final two innings. 

Nevada’s Will Jacobson took the loss. The lefty allowed five earned runs on seven hits in four innings. 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Joplin hosts the Clarinda A’s at 7 on Friday night. The two teams will play again on Saturday night. 

Currently on a 10-game winning streak, Clarinda owns the best record in the MINK League, as the North Division leading A’s are 26-3.

 

 

 

MINK LEAGUE: Renegades stave off Outlaws late for 8-6 win

Joplin built an early 4-2 lead before Jefferson City scored six times in the sixth inning and held off the Outlaws late for an 8-6 MINK League South Division win on Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium.

The game was scoreless after three innings until the Renegades plated two runs in the fourth to take the initial advantage. Joplin answered back with a three-run fourth inning and another run in the fifth to go up 4-2. Jefferson City touched home six times in the sixth inning to steal the momentum. The Outlaws scored twice in the ninth inning to trim the lead to two and had the winning run at the plate, but the Renegades staved off Joplin for the win.

DIVISION RACE

With the loss, Joplin falls to 12-16 and sits in fourth place in the South Division. Sedalia (16-15) is in first, with Nevada (14-45) in second and Jefferson City (13-16) in third.

ON THE MOUND

Jeff City’s Dylan Dunbar started and took a no-decision after allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits, a walk and three strikeouts in four innings. Shane Fontenot earned the win in relief after pitching four scoreless frames, not allowing a hit while walking one and striking out three. Kolin Demel allowed two runs on three hits and three strikeouts in one relief inning.

Carl Junction native and Missouri Southern Lion Jeremiah Kennedy started for Joplin and took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits and three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Clayton Saporito allowed two runs on one hit and two walks in 1/3 of an inning in relief. Christian DeJesus pitched 1 1/3 scoreless relief innings on a walk and two strikeouts. Justin Schrader pitched two scoreless innings in relief and struck out five.

GAME ACTION

After three scoreless innings, Jefferson City used two-out magic to take the lead when Tommy Ruether singled to left-center with runners on second and third to score both and give the Renegades a 2-0 advantage.

The Outlaws rallied back in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead. With runners at first and third and no outs. Caleb Feuerstake, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, scored from third after the throw to second on a stolen base attempt by Logan Cline ended up in center field to make the score 2-1. Cline, who reached on an error, came around to score on an RBI single from Ethan Ellis to tie the game at 2-2. Ellis scored later in the inning on a fielder’s choice groundout from Cade Lott to give Joplin the lead.

Brett Wiemers led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a single before coming around to score an insurance run later in the frame on an RBI groundout by Cline to push the Outlaws’ lead to 4-2.

Jefferson City responded in the top of the sixth when Drew Mize led off with a double before scoring on a David Dell single to trim the deficit to 4-3. Brady Voss connected for a one-out ground rule double later in the inning to plate Dell and tie the game at 4s while forcing Kennedy from the game. The Renegades took the lead later in the inning when Caden Diel drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run. Voss scored on a wild pitch moments later with the bases still loaded to push the lead to 6-4. Josef Keilholz doubled to right to plate two more runs and push the lead to 8-4.

Joplin loaded the bases with one out in the last of the ninth and clawed within two of the lead following a two-out, two-run single off the bat of Jared Toler to make the score 8-6. The rally ended there as a strikeout in the next at-bat ended the game.

IN THE BOX

Ruether, Voss and Keilholz each had two hits to lead Jefferson City. Ruether and Keilholz, who doubled twice, each drove in two and scored one, while Voss, who had a double, finished with an RBI and a run scored.

Wiemers and Toler collected three hits each, with Wiemers scoring twice and Toler driving in two to lead Joplin. Feuerstake had two hits and two runs scored, while Ellis had two hits, scored a run and drove in one.

UP NEXT

Joplin hosts Nevada at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium.

MINK LEAGUE: Nevada holds off Joplin for 4-3 win

NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada jumped out to an early three-run lead and held off Joplin late for a 4-3 win on Tuesday. 

The Griffons and Outlaws took a scoreless game into the third inning when Nevada plated three runs to take the advantage. Joplin cut into the lead in the sixth inning with two runs touching home before the Griffons answered back in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 4-2. The Outlaws rallied with a run in the eighth but couldn’t push the tying run across before the final out.

With the win, Nevada improves to 14-15 and is in a tie for first place in the South Division standings with Sedalia (14-45). Jefferson City is tied with Joplin for third place with a 12-15 record. 

Nevada’s Cameron Saso highlighted the three-run third inning with an RBI single to score Matthew Leong. Kahle Good and Jack Swisher also touched home in the inning.

Joplin’s Caleb Feuerstake tripled home Brett Wiemers to get the Outlaws on the board in the sixth inning. Ethan Ellis added a single later in the inning to score Feuerstake and trim Joplin’s deficit to 3-2.

Braeden Hinton scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to 4-2.

In the last of the eighth with two on and two out, Brandon Ulmer singled home Feuerstake, but Ellis was thrown out at the plate to preserve the lead for Nevada.

Richard Kiel started and earned the win for Nevada after allowing three runs on six hits, one walk and eight strikeouts in eight innings. Sebastian Kirchner earned the save after striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Reese Weaks took the loss for Joplin after giving up three runs on four hits, four walks and one strikeout in three innings. Masayuki Maruhashi allowed one run in three innings. He walked four, struck out one and didn’t allow a hit. Austin Gottula pitched two scoreless innings on two hits, a walk and a strikeout.

Good and Hinton each had two hits to lead Nevada at the plate. Good scored a run and drove in one. Leong doubled, scored a run and drove in one. 

Ellis led Joplin with two hits and an RBI. Feuerstake tripled, scored twice and drove in one. Wiemers had a hit and scored a run. Ulmer had a hit and drove in one.

Joplin hosts Jefferson City at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium.

FALL SEASON: Local prep athletes garner SoMo Sports Athletes of the Year recognition

At SoMo Sports, we understand the importance of student-athletes competing in prep sports in terms of development, both mentally and physically, for young adults who are preparing for life after high school.

Not only does competing in prep sports help build character, but it also provides student-athletes with tools such as communication, leadership and self-drive that will benefit them as they continue on life’s journey. 

With that in mind, SoMo Sports wanted to honor the top athletes in the area who put in countless hours of hard work during practice, workouts, games/meets as well as on their own time by naming them as a SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year.

The Athlete of the Year selections go out to the top area athlete in each sport during the fall, winter and spring prep seasons. 

The standout athletes are chosen by SoMo Sports reporters Jason Peake and Lucas Davis, who tirelessly cover prep sports for Joplin and its surrounding communities during the school year. Along with nominations by area coaches, SoMo Sports used individual accomplishments during the regular season and postseason as well as team success as factors for choosing each Athlete of the Year. 

The SoMo Sports Athletes of the Year awards will be divided up in three stories—fall, winter and spring. Each sport will have an Athlete of the Year, and if warranted, there may be one or two honorable mentions per sport as well.

The SoMo Sports Athletes of the Year three-part story is sponsored by Cell Phone Medics.

 

SOMO SPORTS FALL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

FOOTBALL

Devrin Weathers, senior, Webb City

Webb City senior Devrin Weathers is the SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year in football.

Webb City’s Devrin Weathers had a remarkable high school career.  A 6-foot-1, 190-pound running back who was a three-year starter for John Roderique’s powerhouse Webb City Cardinals, Weathers earned numerous all-state, all-district, all-region and all-conference honors over the course of his standout prep career. Weathers was named the 2020 Central Ozark Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Association’s Offensive Player of the Year for Class 5 after he rushed for 1,782 yards and scored 29 total touchdowns as a senior. A Kansas State-signee who also returned kicks and caught an occasional pass, Weathers compiled 2,069 all-purpose yards in 2020. The Cardinals went 26-4 in Weathers’ last two seasons, with a Class 4 state championship in 2019 and a Class 5 semifinal appearance in 2020. Weathers compiled more than 4,100 rushing yards and 59 rushing touchdowns during his memorable high school career.

Honorable Mention: Nathan Glades, senior, Joplin; Patrick Carlton, senior, Carthage

 

SOFTBALL

Haidyn Berry, senior, Webb City

Webb City senior Haidyn Berry garnered SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year in softball.

Haidyn Berry was a dominant two-way performer for the Webb City Cardinals. As a senior, Berry led the Cardinals to a state runner-up finish by excelling in the circle and inside the batter’s box. As a pitcher, the right-handed Berry went 25-6 with 234 strikeouts and just 27 walks in 194 innings. She had a 2.23 ERA for the season. At the plate, Berry hit .444 with a .981 slugging percentage and a 1.501 OPS.  Berry recorded 48 hits with 18 home runs and 49 RBI. The 18 homers in a season not only set a school record, but also put Berry second all-time in the state of Missouri. Berry was the Central Ozark Conference’s Player of the Year for the second straight season and also garnered first team all-state, all-region and all-district honors.

With her standout prep career concluded, Berry will play college softball at the University of Central Missouri. 

 

 

 

BOYS SOCCER

Alberto Robledo, senior, Neosho

Robledo, a forward, had a memorable senior season for the Wildcats, who finished with a 19-2 record on the way to a trip to the Class 3 quarterfinals. Robledo finished his final season in Neosho with 31 goals and two assists on the way to earning Class 3 Offensive Player of the Year honors. In addition, Robledo earned first-team all-region and district recognition.

 

BOYS SWIMMING

Ben Wardlow, senior, Joplin

Wardlow, a William Jewell commit, saw his strong senior season culminate with four events at the Class 2 state meet. Wardlow placed 21st in the 100-yard freestyle in a time of 50.54 while taking 22nd place in the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 22.65. Wardlow was also the lead leg in Joplin’s 200 freestyle relay team which took 20th at the state meet. Wardlow also won the 50 free at the Central Ozark Conference meet in a time of 23.21 seconds and received all-conference in that event as well as the 100 breaststroke. At SWMO, Wardlow got his personal best in the 100 freestyle and placed sixth in a time of 50.67. 

 

VOLLEYBALL

Salma Lewis, senior, Carl Junction

Carl Junction senior Salma Lewis earned SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year in volleyball. Photo by Israel Perez.

With her stellar play at the net, Salma Lewis led the Carl Junction Bulldogs to a 24-7 record and a district championship in 2020. A 5-foot-10 outside hitter, Lewis recorded 412 kills as a senior. Lewis finished her prep career with 1,229 career kills, a school record. According to the MSHSAA website, Lewis is just the 19th player in state history to record 1,000 career kills. A force at the net throughout her four-year prep career, Lewis has earned multiple all-state, all-district and all-conference honors. After capturing a district championship, the Bulldogs ended the season with a five-set loss to eventual state champion Willard. Lewis, who was also a standout in track and field, will play college volleyball at Drury University.

Honorable Mention: Maddy Peeples, senior, Webb City 

 

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Joe Kremp, senior, Lamar

Kremp capped off his senior season with the Tigers with a third-place finish at the Class 3 state meet. He recorded a PR in his final cross country event, crossing the line in 16 minutes, 2.8 seconds. Kremp was also the Big 8 Conference champion with a time of 16:12.61, earning three total wins and finished in the top three eight times in his final season with Lamar. In nine of the 10 meets in which Kremp competed, he ran a time of 16:31 or better.

Honorable Mention: Joseph Dawson, senior, Webb City

 

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Jennalee Dunn, junior, Joplin

Jennalee Dunn is the SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year for girls cross country.

In a stellar junior season, Jennalee Dunn became Joplin High School’s first female state medalist in cross country. Dunn was the runner-up in the girls race at the Central Ozark Conference Meet (19 minutes, 16 seconds) and then finished second at the Class 5 District 6 meet (19:20). Competing alongside the state’s best at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia last November, Dunn finished 18th at the Class 5 state meet with a time of 19:11. Dunn, who attended Thomas Jefferson Independent as a freshman, has advanced to the state cross country meet in every year of high school.

Also a standout in track, Dunn holds the school record in three of the four distance events19 minutes even in the 5K, a 5:08 in the 1600 and a 2:22 in the 800. 

Honorable Mention: Kiersten Potter, sophomore, Lamar; Riley Hawkins, junior, Webb City; Grace Bishop, senior, College Heights

 

GIRLS TENNIS

Astrid Cardenas, junior, Joplin

For the second straight year, Astrid Cardenas represented Joplin High School at the state tennis tournament. After advancing to state in singles and going 22-3 as a sophomore in 2019, Cardenas and Emma Watts were the top doubles team in the region during the fall of 2020. The JHS duo won the No. 1 doubles crown at the Central Ozark Conference tournament, took second at the Class 3 District 6 tournament and then advanced to the consolation quarterfinals of the Class 3 state tournament. Cardenas and Watts went 15-7 on the season, but were 14-3 after both players returned to action from injury or illness. A back injury plagued Cardenas throughout her junior season. Both Cardenas and Watts will return for the Eagles this fall.

Astrid Cardenas is the SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year for girls tennis.

GIRLS GOLF

Lily Allman, senior, McDonald County

Allman, a Missouri Southern commit, capped her incredible high school career with a third-place finish at the Class 3 state meet with a 81-82—163 at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club for the Mustangs, finishing just four strokes back of first place. Among her many accomplishments during her senior season, Allman, a founding member of the McDonald County girls golf program, garnered all-Big 8 honors while winning the Class 3 District 3 tournament with a six-over-par 76. Other notable wins for Allman during her senior year were the Joplin Lady Eagle Invitational, Carl Junction Tournament and the eCarthage Invitational.

Honorable Mention: Hailey Bryant, junior, Carthage

McDonald County’s Lily Allman garnered SoMo Sports Athlete of the Year for girls golf following her senior season. Photo by Peter Edwards.

MINK LEAGUE: Nevada scores three early runs on the way to win over Joplin

Nevada scored a run in each of the first three innings on the way to a 4-0 win over Joplin in MINK League South Division action on Monday at Joe Becker Stadium. 

With the loss, the Outlaws fall to 12-14 on the season while the Griffons improve to 13-15. The Sedalia Bombers lead the South Division with a 14-15 record with Nevada and Joplin both a half game back. Jefferson City is in fourth place with a 12-15 record.

Joplin starting pitcher Steen Lane, a Missouri Southern Lion, delivers a pitch to the plate during Monday’s game with the Nevada Griffons.

“Another game,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “We outhit them. … You just have these teams. We found more barrels, hit balls harder but they just didn’t fall today. If we limit traffic in the first three innings things could have been different. Who knows. We will get these guys eventually.”

Joplin outhit Nevada 6-4, but couldn’t string anything together to push a run across. The advantage came in the form of free passes, with the Griffons drawing six walks and three hit-by-pitches compared to the Outlaws’ two walks drawn. 

“You have to limit traffic,” Dawson said. “That is all we can do. You can’t give them free bags. … I can’t be mad at our guys tonight. They had good approaches at the plate and barreled baseballs. I couldn’t ask for anything more. It is just one of those days.”

ON THE MOUND

Missouri Southern Lion Chase Beiter started on the mound for the Nevada Griffons on Monday night at Joe Becker Stadium.

Chase Beiter, a Missouri Southern Lion, started for Nevada and earned the win after pitching six shutout innings, scattering four hits, walking two and striking out four. Steve Marhefke pitched three scoreless relief innings on two hits and two strikeouts.

Steen Lane, a Missouri Southern Lion, started and took the loss for Joplin after allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits, three walks and four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. John Kea allowed one run on one hit, two walks and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 relief innings. Gavin Heltemes allowed one hit and struck out one in one relief inning, while Jake Algee struck out two and walked one in a scoreless frame.

GAME ACTION

The Griffons went to work in the top of the first inning, loading the bases with one out after two hit-by-pitches sandwiched around a walk. Matthew Leong’s fielder’s choice groundout brought home Kahle Good for a 1-0 advantage. Lane got out of the jam with a strikeout to only allow the one run.

Nevada’s Cameron Saso worked a one-out walk in the top of the second and later came around to score on a wild pitch to push the Griffons’ lead to 2-0.

Saso extended the lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning with a two-out RBI single to plate Tyler Davis.

Good walked and moved to second on an error to start the top of the seventh before advancing to third on a stolen base. Jesse Fonteboa brought him home in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly to left to make the score 4-0.

IN THE BOX

Leong had one hit and an RBI, while Saso had a hit, scored a run, drove in one and walked once to lead Nevada.

Jared Toler and Calen Protaskey each had two hits to lead the Outlaws.

UP NEXT

Joplin travels to Nevada for a 7 p.m. matchup on Tuesday.

“You just have to plug away,” Dawson said. “From here on out, it’s just finding a way.”

MINK LEAGUE: Nevada’s Niles pitches eight scoreless; Griffons beat Outlaws 6-0

NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada scored five runs through the first five innings on the way to a 6-0 win over Joplin on Saturday in MINK League South Division action.

Nevada broke a scoreless tie with a run in the second inning before adding a single tally in the third to go up 2-0. The Griffons plated two runs in the fourth and a run in the fifth to build a 5-0 advantage. Nevada added an insurance run in the eighth inning.

The loss drops Joplin’s record to 11-13 and into a three-way tie for first place in the South Division. Sedalia and Jefferson City both have a 12-14 record, while Nevada improves to 12-15.

GAME ACTION

Nevada’s Cameron Saso started the scoring in the second inning with an RBI single to plate Matthew Leong.

Braden Hinton picked up an RBI single in the third inning, with Jesse Fonteboa touching home on the play to put the Griffons up 2-0.

Chase Beiter scored in the bottom of the fourth after Saso’s sac bunt was compounded by a Joplin error. Saso came around to score later in the inning on a sac fly from Fonteboa to make the score 4-0.. Leong scored in the fifth on a wild pitch to put Nevada’s lead at 5-0 and Fonteboa added to his line in the eighth inning after singling home Jack Swisher to push the lead to 6-0 in favor of Nevada.

ON THE MOUND

Dustin Niles pitched a gem for the Griffons, earning the win after blanking the Outlaws over eight innings. He scattered four hits, walked one and struck out 11. Xavier Fosbenner walked one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Christitan DeJesus started and took the loss for Joplin after allowing two runs on three hits, three walks and seven strikeouts in three innings. Justin Schrader allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in five innings of relief.

AT THE PLATE

Leong and Beiter each had two hits to lead Nevada. Leon scored twice, while Beiter scored once. Fonteboa led Nevada with two RBI and a run scored to go along with one hit.

Brett Wiemers, Logan Cline, Ethan Ellis and Jared Toler each collected hits for Joplin.

UP NEXT

Jeff City travels to Joplin for a 7 p.m. contest on Sunday at Joe Becker Stadium before the Outlaws host Nevada on Monday.

MINK LEAGUE: Sedalia uses five-run 6th inning to rally past Joplin heading into all-star break

Joplin jumped out to a multi-run lead before Sedalia battled back in the middle innings on the way to a 9-5 win in MINK League South Division play on Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium. 

The Outlaws (11-11), still in first place in the division standings, trailed 1-0 before crossing home three times in the third inning on a home run ball to take a two-run advantage. The Bombers (12-13) cut into the lead with a run in the top of the fourth before Joplin scored twice in the bottom half to push the lead out to 5-3. A five-run sixth inning gave Sedalia the lead and the momentum, as the Bombers added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth to seal the win.

“They just capitalized on every mistake whether it was an error or a walk,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “They capitalized when they were supposed to and we kind of let our foot off the gas when we scored five in the middle innings. After yesterday, this one kind of stings but we have to move on.”

ON THE MOUND

Jake McMahill started and earned the win for Sedalia after allowing five runs on seven hits, a walk and five strikeouts in six innings. Tucker Nunnenkamp pitched two innings in relief and didn’t allow a run on two hits. Conner Wolf worked a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit.

John Kea started and took a no-decision for the Outlaws after allowing five runs on five hits, two walks and five strikeouts in five innings. Clayton Saporito took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts in two innings. Jake Algee allowed one run on one hit and two walks, with a strikeout, in one relief inning.

GAME ACTION

Sedalia reached the scoreboard first, plating a run in the top of the second inning when Braden DeSoria doubled with two outs and was driven in on a single from Zack Dillman in the next at-bat.

With runners on first and third and one out in the bottom of the third, Joplin’s Brett Wiemers fell down in an 0-2 hole before launching a ball over the wall in left field for a three-run homer to put the Outlaws on top 3-1.

“That is something we do well—we battle,” Dawson said. “Brett just kept getting pitches in the zone and kept fouling them off until he got a pitch he could handle. It was a good at-bat by him.”

Sedalia cut into the Outlaw lead in the top of the fourth when DeSoria came up with a two-out single to plate Gideon Antel to make the score 3-2.

Joplin added insurance in the bottom half of the inning, getting the run surrendered in the top half back when Brandon Ulmer tripled to right-center to score a run and push the lead to 4-2. Drake Angeron singled to right two batters later to plate Ulmer for a 5-2 lead.

“We have to take the positives out of it,” Dawson said. “With our pitching staff, five runs would normally do the job. We just had one bad inning—the sixth inning. Things happen. That’s baseball. We have to be able to find a way to rebound. … It just didn’t happen tonight.”

The Bombers tied the game up at 5-5 up in the top of the sixth when Braden McGinnis hit a three-run bomb with two on and no outs. Zack Dillman singled home a run later in the inning to put Sedalia on top 6-5. Duffin Makings added an RBI on a groundout to wrap the scoring in the inning with the Bombers in front 7-5.

DeSoria added a sac fly in the top of the seventh for insurance, extending Sedalia’s lead to 8-5. The Bombers added an unearned run in the eighth to make it a four-run cushion.

IN THE BOX

McGinnis homered and finished with three RBI and a run scored, while Spencer Nivens had three hits and scored twice. DeSoria doubled, had two RBI and scored two runs to highlight Sedalia’s night at the plate. 

Wiemers homered and had a team-high three RBI while scoring a run. Ulmer led Joplin with four hits, including a triple, scored twice and drove in one. Angeron doubled, scored a run and drove in one.

UP NEXT

The Outlaws have the day off from MINK League play on Thursday, as the league’s all-star game will take place in Jefferson City. Pitchers Jack O’Brien, Justin Schrader, Christian DeJesus as well as infielder Logan Cline and outfielder Drake Angeron will represent Joplin in the Summer Classic. The Outlaws are back in action on Friday when Joplin travels to Nevada for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Griffons.