ST JOSEPH, Mo. — St. Joe broke a 1-1 tie with four runs scoring in the fourth inning of Game 3 before pushing across four more runs in the sixth, with two more touching the plate in the seventh frame to finish off an 11-1 over Joplin to win the 2022 MINK League Championship Series 2-1 on Saturday at Welch Stadium.
The win for St. Joe is the third straight MINK League title—the first time that has been accomplished in league history—and the eighth league title the Mustangs have captured in its history.
ON THE MOUND
Tyson Hilsabeck started and earned the win for St. Joe after allowing one run on six hits, three walks and four strikeouts in six innings of work. Jay Greco pitched a scoreless relief inning with a pair of strikeouts.
Jack Kelley started and took the loss for Joplin after allowing five runs on six hits, four walks and five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Harold Baez allowed four runs on four hits, a walk and a strikeout in two relief innings. Connery O’Donnell and Justin Schrader also saw time in relief.
GAME ACTION
St. Joe took the early momentum in front of the home crowd with a single tally crossing home in the first inning. Noah Bodenhousen led off the game with a double to right field before moving to third on a fly out and scoring on a sacrifice fly to center field by Jack Wagner for a 1-0 lead.
Joplin rallied back in the top of the third inning when Max Bruff doubled down the line to right field with runners on the corners and one out to plate a run to tie the game at 1-1, with the go-ahead run being thrown out at the plate for the second out of the inning.
After the Mustangs stranded the bases loaded in the bottom half of the third, St. Joe struck for four runs in the fourth inning to build a 5-1 advantage. Jack Wagner highlighted the inning with a two-run single for St. Joe.
Wagner was also responsible for most of the damage two innings later, fueling the four-run sixth inning with a three-run home run.
The Mustangs evoked the run rule in the seventh with two more runs touching home off the bat of Wagner, who came up with a two-run single to total a game-high eight RBI.
IN THE BOX
Wagner had three hits and also scored a run to go along with his eight RBI. Bodenhousen had two hits and scored four runs, while Dylan Carry had two hits, scored a run and drove in one for St. Joe.
Caden Bressler and Matt Woodmansee each had two hits to lead Joplin at the plate.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The MINK League Championship Series is deadlocked at one game apiece.
The St. Joseph Mustangs forced a deciding third game by earning a 6-5 win over the Joplin Outlaws on Friday night in Game 2 of the series at Phil Welch Stadium.
The winner take-all-finale of the series is slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday night at Welch Stadium.
The Outlaws, who won the series opener on Thursday in Joplin, are seeking their first ever MINK League championship.
The game was scoreless until the Mustangs (36-15) plated three runs in the bottom of the third inning.
The first run scored after a walk, a single and an error. Brady Holden’s RBI single into right field and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Dylan Carey made it 3-0.
The Outlaws (25-22) got on the board in the top of the fifth when Korrey Siracusa walked and later scored from third on a wild pitch.
Joplin rallied for three runs on three walks, a single and an error in the sixth.
Matt Campbell and Carson Carpenter both walked before Tyler Davis reached on an error to load the bases with no outs.
After an out, Siracusa drew a walk to pull the Outlaws within a single tally.
Next, Caden Bressler delivered a two-run single down the right field line, giving Joplin a 4-3 advantage before the Mustangs finally got out of the inning.
The hosts answered back in the bottom half of the frame.
St. Joe’s Noah Bodenhousen hit a two-run single before an error in the field allowed another run to cross home, giving the Mustangs a 6-4 advantage.
In the seventh, Webb City product Matt Woodmansee doubled and later scored on Carpenter’s RBI single to right, cutting Joplin’s deficit to a single tally.
Joplin stranded the tying run at third in the eighth inning. In the ninth, Max Bruff walked to lead things off, with Sam Fagan pinch running. But the Mustangs retired the side.
James Yamasaki started on the mound for the Outlaws. He went 5 1/3 innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on four hits and four walks while striking out three. He was charged with the loss.
Edrian Rangel tossed 2 2/3 innings of relief, giving up one unearned run and two hits.
Garron Johnson started for St. Joseph and allowed four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out seven in five innings.
Camden Lutz picked up the win and Morichika Hama earned the save.
The Outlaws stranded 11 on-base. Lott was the lone Outlaw with two hits.
In the final home game of the 2022 season, the Joplin Outlaws defeated the St. Joseph Mustangs 7-3 on Thursday night in the opener of the MINK League Championship Series.
Below are scenes from Thursday’s game at Joe Becker Stadium. All photos by Shawn Fowler.
In search of their first MINK League Championship Series victory in program history, the Joplin Outlaws kicked off their title hopes with a 7-3 win over the St. Joe Mustangs in Game 1 on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin—the MINK League South Division Champions—took a scoreless tie into the third inning before plating four runs to take a commanding lead over the North Division winner Mustangs. Joplin added three insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to push the lead to 7-0. St. Joe threatened with three runs in the eighth inning but got no closer before the final out was made.
“This was crucial,” first-year Joplin manager Gonzalo Gonzalez said about winning the opening game at home. “St. Joe is hard to beat at home and I have to give it to them because they have a great team over there. For us, it was key to be able to take this one at our place and stay alive in this to give ourselves a chance.”
“It’s unreal,” Gonzalez added about playing in front of the home crowd at Joe Becker for the last time this season. “To be able to do this for the city of Joplin is big. It just goes to show you how much they care about us and our organization. I am just happy they came out and supported us in mass tonight.”
Joplin starter Ethan Sally winds up before delivering a pitch to home during the Outlaws’ win over St. Joe in the opening game of the MINK League Championship Series on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
ON THE MOUND
Ethan Sally started for the Outlaws and took a no-decision after holding St. Joe scoreless over four innings without allowing a hit, walking four and striking out one. Cole White earned the win in relief after allowing three runs on three hits, four walks and four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Connery O’Donnell pitched 1/3 of an inning in relief before Justin Schrader finished the game out with a scoreless ninth inning.
“To see our pitchers come out and do what they did today was amazing,” Gonzalez said. “Especially with the lulls we have had this year. For those guys to step up and do a job for us is big.” Braden Berry started and took the loss for St. Joe after allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits, a walk and three strikeouts in three innings. Tanner Schmidt allowed three runs on two hits, two walks and two strikeouts, while Michael Infranca and Tanner Lukowski combined for three scoreless innings.
GAME ACTION
Joplin outfielder Jakob Machuca hauls in a fly ball during the Outlaws’ win over St. Joe on Thursday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
The third inning was kind to the Outlaws, who crossed home four times in the frame to take a commanding lead in Game 1. After Sam Fagan led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch, Cade Lott singled, with Korrey Siracusa reaching on an error to load the bases without an out.
Caden Bressler singled to center field in the next at-bat to plate a pair of runs and break the scoreless tie. Two batters later, Max Bruff doubled the lead with a one-out single to center to score two more runs, pushing the advantage to 4-0.
“I saw a lot of patient at-bats, guys taking pitches and hunting that fastball when it was time,” Gonzalez said of the offensive output. “That was clutch for our guys to keep their heads down, grind out at-bats and do the right thing when they were in plus-counts.”
The Outlaws added insurance to their lead in the last of the fifth inning when Fagan drew a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to force in a run and push the margin to 5-0. Cade Lott followed with a two-run single to left to extend the lead to 7-0.
“That was it right there,” Gonzalez said about the insurance runs. “They threatened there at the end, so to be able to take advantage with this couple of insurance runs was big.”
St. Joe, which didn’t record a hit until the fifth inning, got on the scoreboard in the top of the eighth inning when three runs came home via walks with the bases loaded.
ON DECK
Joplin’s Matt Campbell connects for hit in the Outlaws’ win over St. Joe in the opener on Thursday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
The Outlaws travel to St. Joseph to take on the Mustangs at 7 p.m. on Friday at Phil Welch Stadium. Game 3 is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Welsh Stadium.
“Pitching,” Gonzalez said when asked what it would take for the Outlaws to finish off this championship series with a win. “Pitching is going to be big. We are going to hit and play solid defense. It is going to come down to whether or not we show up on the mound.”
The Joplin Outlaws are headed to the MINK League’s championship series.
With the South Division championship on the line, the Outlaws upended the Jefferson City Renegades 4-2 on Tuesday night in front of a large crowd at Joe Becker Stadium.
With the win, the Outlaws (24-21) advance to the league’s championship series against the St. Joseph Mustangs (35-14), the champions of the North Division.
“To be able to do this for the city of Joplin feels phenomenal,” Outlaws manager Gonzalo Gonzalez said after his squad captured the franchise’s first-ever South Division crown. “This is just great. This city has supported us all the way through. To be able to do it for the fans really means a lot. It took a full team effort tonight. Our offense started off slow, but we adjusted to the off-speed pitches later in the game. That allowed us to come out with the win.”
The opener of the best-of-three championship series is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium. The final two games of the series (if both are necessary) will be played at St. Joseph’s Phil Welch Stadium.
Outlaws right-hander A.J. Moreno was the winning pitcher in Tuesday’s South Division championship game. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
GAME RECAP
Runs were at a premium in the win or go home contest.
The Renegades had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the third, but Outlaws starting pitcher A.J. Moreno maneuvered out of trouble by recording a pair of strikeouts before inducing an inning-ending fly ball.
After the visitors stranded two more on-base in the fifth, the hosts finally broke through in the bottom half of the inning.
Tyler Davis singled and went to second on a balk. With two outs, Carl Junction product Carson Johnson delivered an RBI single up the middle, giving the Outlaws a 1-0 cushion.
“I was just looking for a fastball in the zone,” said Johnson, a third baseman. “I wanted to jump on whatever I could get. It came in, I put a good swing in on it and it ended up being the first RBI of the night.”
Gonzalez noted the former Carl Junction Bulldog came through in the clutch.
“His ability to stay on that pitch a little longer was the difference right there,” Gonzalez said.
Joplin extended its lead with two key insurance runs in the sixth.
Carson Johnson is pictured at first base after recording an RBI single. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
Caden Bressler singled and Joe Ricchio was hit by a pitch, putting two on with no outs. Jakob Machuca followed with a three-run homer to make it 4-0.
“I’ve been watching him do that for years,” Gonzalez said, noting Machuca played for him at Fort Scott CC. “That guy is tough to get out.”
Jefferson City plated two runs in the seventh against Outlaws reliever Edrian Rangel, cutting Joplin’s lead in the half.
But the Outlaws kept the Renegades off the scoreboard in the eighth and ninth innings to secure the historic win.
“This is pretty amazing,” Johnson said. “We all had the same idea tonight. We were just going to come out and play baseball and have a good time regardless of the outcome. You can really tell how far we’ve come from the start of the season. It’s been amazing. The atmosphere here tonight was awesome.”
Moreno, a right-hander from Cal Poly-Pomona, was the winning pitcher. Moreno tossed six scoreless innings, limiting the Renegades to seven hits and two walks while striking out three.
“That was unreal,” Gonzalez said of Moreno’s performance. “He kept his pitch count low. When they had the bases loaded there (in the third) he was able to get two punchouts and a pop-up. That shows the maturity he has as a pitcher. He has the ability to throw everything for a strike. That guy is one to watch in the future.”
Rangel went two innings, striking out three and scattering four hits. Justin Schrader pitched a scoreless ninth, fanning two.
The Outlaws won the game despite recording just five hits. Davis was the lone Outlaws to have two hits.
Braden Maltbie took the loss for Jefferson City. He gave up four runs on five hits in six innings. Xander Lovin pitched two scoreless frames in relief.
Adonis Forte had four of Jeff City’s 11 hits. Cole Wagner had the lone RBI.
“Jeff City is a class act team,” Gonzalez said. “They’re tenacious. They’re hard to put away and there’s a reason they made it this far.”
HOME GAME THURSDAY
After surviving and advancing, the Outlaws will have one final home game of the summer—Thursday against the St. Joseph Mustangs in the opener of the league’s championship series.
Johnson noted the Outlaws are looking forward to another game inside the friendly confines of Joe Becker Stadium.
“We play really well at home,” Johnson said. “We have to protect our home territory. We just have to come out and play our best baseball.”
Gonzalez said the Outlaws hope to see another big crowd on Thursday night.
“I think being at home is big for us,” he said. “I hope the whole city of Joplin comes out and supports us. We really need to take that first win.”
Jakob Machuca hauls in a fly ball during Tuesday’s game against Jefferson City. Machuca hit a key home run during Joplin’s 4-2 win. All photos by Shawn Fowler.
After clinching the South Division championship, the Joplin Outlaws will host a MINK League playoff game on Tuesday night.
With the season on the line, the Outlaws will host either Sedalia or Jefferson City at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Joe Becker Stadium. Tuesday’s winner will advance to the MINK League championship series against the North Division winner.
Sedalia and Jeff City meet on Monday night, with the winner advancing to play the Outlaws for the division championship.
The Outlaws, who recently had a nine-game winning streak, finished the regular season with a record of 23-21.
The St. Joseph Mustangs won the North Division.
Monday’s North Division playoff game features Clarinda and Des Moines.
The MINK League championship series is scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 28 at a site to be determined. The best of three series is slated to continue on Friday, and if necessary, will conclude on Saturday.
Joplin scored in each of the first four innings to build an insurmountable lead on the way to a 13-3 win in seven innings over Carroll in the regular season home finale on Tuesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin scored a single tally in each of the first two innings before two runs crossed in the third inning to push the lead to 4-0. The Outlaws separated themselves from the Merchants with a four-run fourth inning to extend the advantage to 8-0. Carroll added two runs in the top of the fifth to get on the board but Joplin matched with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Joplin and Carroll exchanged runs in the sixth inning before Joplin ended the contest via run rule with two more runs touching in the seventh.
ON DECK
The win is also the ninth straight for the Outlaws, who hold a first-place record of 23-18 in the MINK League South Division. Joplin, which last lost on July 9 to the St. Joe Mustangs, closes out the regular season with two games against Jefferson City at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday before wrapping up the regular season with a matchup against Sealia on Saturday.
Joplin’s AJ Moreno delivers to home during the Outlaws’ win over Carroll on Tuesday in the home finale. The win was the ninth straight for Joplin. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
ON THE MOUND
AJ Moreno started and earned the win for Joplin after allowing two runs on five hits, two walks and five strikeouts in five innings of work. Connor Peck allowed one run on one hit, two walks and two strikeouts in two relief innings.
Noah Dutler took the loss after allowing eight runs, seven earned, on six hits, three walks and three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Garrett Freeman allowed five runs, three earned, on six hits, three walks and three strikeouts in 3 1/3 relief innings.
GAME ACTION
Joplin’s first run of the game came home on an error in the first inning before Carson Carpenter picked up the Outlaws’ first RBI with a solo home run in the bottom of the second.
Jordan Sheridan and Korrey Siracusa each added a sacrifice fly in the third inning to push the lead to 4-0.
Joplin’s Korrey Siracusa drives home a run in the Outlaws’ win over Carroll on Tuesday at Joe Becker Stadium. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
In the bottom of the fourth, Joplin doubled up Carroll with four runs touching the plate. Liam Bailey brought home a run with an RBI single to right field before Jakob Machuca doubled to center field to score another run. Sheridan added his second RBI of the game with a bases-loaded walk before Siracusa ended the scoring with a sac fly to right field.
Jordan Matthewson doubled to center field to plate Carroll’s first run in the fifth before Bennett Frieter brought a run home on an RBI groundout.
Bailey had a sac fly in the bottom of the fifth before Machuca tripled a run home. After each team traded runs in the seventh, Joplin pushed two more insurance runs across in the last of the seventh on a two-run single from Siracusa to end the game via run rule.
Joplin plated six runs in the second inning to fuel a 10-7 win over Carroll on Friday at Joe Becker Stadium.
The Outlaws’ victory over the Merchants (18-20) is Joplin’s eighth straight win and improves its record to 22-18—good enough for first place in the MINK League South Division.
Joplin jumped out to a big lead with six runs touching home in the second inning before adding two more in the third for an 8-0 advantage early. Carroll scored three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to cut the lead to three before the Outlaws answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth to push the margin to 9-5. Joplin added a run in the seventh and the Merchants scored twice in the eighth to wrap the scoring.
ON THE MOUND
Ethan Sally started for Joplin and took a no-decision after allowing two runs on six hits and six strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings, while Gavin Stowell allowed one run on four walks without recording an out in relief. Cameron Hill earned the win after allowing two runs on two walks and a strikeout in 2/3 of an inning. Cole While allowed one hit in a scoreless 2/3 of an inning, striking out two. Joplin High School product Kohl Cooper pitched one scoreless relief inning, striking out the side. Connery O’Donnell allowed two runs on four walks, while Justin Schrader earned the save after pitching 1 1/3 scoreless relief innings. He walked three and struck out four.
Carroll’s Sam Hanson took the loss after starting and allowing eight runs on six hits, seven walks and two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Cannon Frazier pitched three innings of relief and allowed two runs on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Michael Alt walked one in 1/3 of a scoreless relief inning.
GAME ACTION
Joplin’s six-run second inning was highlighted by an RBI single from Tyler Davis, a two-run double to center by Garrett Chun and a two-run single from Max Bruff. Caden Bressler also picked up an RBI with a bases-loaded walk.
All three of Carroll’s runs in the fifth came home on walks with the bases loaded. The sixth scoring came from a runner scoring on a wild pitch and an RBI triple by Jordan Matthewson.
Bruff picked up another RBI in the bottom of the sixth with a run-scoring single to right field and Bressler added an insurance run an inning later with an RBI single.
Carroll drew a pair of walks with the bases loaded to score twice in the eighth.
ON DECK
Joplin hosts Carroll in the final regular home game of the season at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
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.
SOMO SPORTS FALL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
FOOTBALL
Luke Gall, running back/linebacker, Carthage, junior
Carthage RB Luke Gall is the SoMo Sports Football Athlete of the Year
Carthage’s Luke Gall pulled off a rare feat in 2021. After standing out on both sides of the ball during a stellar junior year, Gall was named not only the Central Ozark Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, but also the COC’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year. A 5-foot-11, 200-pound two-way standout at running back and linebacker, Gall has now picked up another accolade—SoMo Sports Area Football Player of the Year. Offensively, Gall compiled 1,902 rushing yards on 166 carries with 29 touchdowns last fall, averaging 11.5 yards per carry. Defensively, Gall recorded 88 tackles, with 15 tackles for loss and six sacks. Gall shared the conference’s defensive player of the year award with his teammate Micah Lindsey. With Gall leading the way, Jon Guidie’s Tigers put together an undefeated regular season en route to a Central Ozark Conference championship. Carthage went 10-1 in ’21. The Tigers’ lone loss was a 28-21 setback to eventual Class 5 state champ Webb City in the district title game. Following his stellar junior campaign, Gall was named the Class 5 Offensive Player of the Year by the Missouri Football Coaches Association. Gall, who has received a number of college offers from NCAA Division I and D-II schools, is expected to once again lead the Tigers on the gridiron this fall.
HM: Draven VanGilder, Joplin; Cooper Crouch, Webb City
SOFTBALL
Madeline McCall, pitcher, McDonald County, senior
McDonald County softball had a remarkable season in 2021-22 by finishing with a 24-7 record and senior pitcher Madeline McCall had a lot to do with it. In the circle, McCall worked to the tune of a microscopic 0.84 earned-run average (surrendering just 14 earned runs in 116 innings pitched) as well as turning in an also-dominant WHIP at 0.81. She finished with 247 strikeouts, while opponents hit .121 against her for the season, leading her to be named the Big 8 West Pitcher of the Year as well as earning first-team all-conference honors before garnering all-state honors as well. That’s not all, as McCall was just as productive in the batter’s box with a .397 batting average to go along with 27 RBI. She added four home runs, a triple and five doubles, while drawing 13 walks for a .505 OBP.
VOLLEYBALL
Logan Jones, setter, Carl Junction, junior
Carl Junction setter Logan Jones is the SoMo Sports Volleyball Athlete of the Year
Her senior season hasn’t yet arrived, but Carl Junction’s Logan Jones has already set school records and locked up a college scholarship in her standout prep career. One of the nation’s top setters, Jones is the SoMo Sports Area Volleyball Player of the Year. Jones is coming off a stellar junior campaign for Cheryl Sharples’ Bulldogs. In ’21, Jones compiled 1,003 assists, 213 digs, 128 kills and 61 aces. She averaged 10.2 assists per set, playing a key role as the Bulldogs went 24-11. With another season still to be played, Jones is Carl Junction’s record-holder for career assists (2,733), assists in a season (1,003), assists in a match (57) and assists per set average (10.2). Jones has earned numerous accolades, including all-state, first team all-conference and first team all-region honors. According to Prep Dig, Jones is the ninth-ranked setter nationally entering her senior season. Ranked 50th nationally overall, Jones is listed as the third-ranked overall player in the state of Missouri ahead of the ’22 season. Jones, who hones her skills with the MAVS KC club team, has verbally committed to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Kaden Cole, Neosho, senior
Capping his standout senior season in style, Missouri Southern recruit Kaden Cole placed sixth at the Class 5 state cross country meet in a personal-best time of 15 minutes, 33 seconds. Cole was the Central Ozark Conference champion with a time of 15:49 and also finished sixth at the district meet. At the always-competitive Missouri Southern Stampede, Cole finished fifth in 15:37. In addition to winning the COC Meet, Cole also took first at meets in Seneca, Monett and McDonald County.
HM: Hobbs Campbell, Joplin
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Jennalee Dunn, Joplin, senior
After overcoming some health problems early in her final prep campaign, Jennalee Dunn put together a senior season to remember. She placed 14th place at the Class 5 state meet with a school record time of 18:36. Dunn was fifth at the district meet and was the runner-up at the Central Ozark Conference Meet for the second straight season. Dunn advanced to the state cross country meet every year of high school. She also led the way as Joplin finished second in the team standings at the 2021 COC Meet after leading Dustin Dixon’s Eagles to the conference crown in ‘20. Dunn is taking her talents to Cornell University in New York, where she’ll join the cross country and track and field programs.
HM: Abi Street, Webb City; Riley Hawkins, Webb City
GIRLS GOLF
Hailey Bryant, Carthage, senior
Carthage senior Hailey Bryant is the SoMo Sports Girls Golf Athlete of the Year
Carthage senior Hailey Bryant was as consistent as you’ll find in the area in terms of putting up top scores. Bryant won the Papa John’s Classic as well as the Carl Junction Invitational and took second in the Seneca Invitational, eCarthage Invitational and Nevada Tigers Invitational. Bryant also added a third-place finish in the Joplin Invitational during the season before heading into the postseason on a high note with a first-place showing in the Central Ozark Conference Championship with a 42-41—83. Bryant took fifth place in the Class 3 District 3 meet before capping her high school career with a fourth straight trip to the state tournament and placed 10th—her second consecutive top 10 finish.
BOYS SOCCER
Gabriel Zapete, midfielder/forward, Neosho, senior
His final season at Neosho was a memorable one for senior midfielder/forward Gabriele Zapete, who earned several accolades on the way to helping lead the Wildcats to a 14-5 record this season as well as a fifth straight district title. Zapete closed the season with 22 goals to go along with seven assists. While being named as the co-offensive MVP in Class 3 District 6, Zapete also garnered first-team all-region and second-team all-state recognition.
BOYS SWIMMING
Carson Forcum, Webb City, senior
Among local athletes, Webb City senior Carson Forcum recorded the top finish at last November’s MSHSAA Class 1 Boys Swimming and Diving Championships in St. Peters. Forcum placed 14th in the 1-meter diving competition with his score of 335.4. It was a big improvement from a year earlier, where Forcum took 22nd at state. The state finish put a final exclamation point on not only a stellar senior season, but also a solid prep career. In another main highlight of his senior season, Forcum recorded a program record score of 433.65 at the Red Bird Invitational. During his senior campaign, Forcum took third at the Springfield Invitational and was fourth at the SWMO Championships. Forcum was the Central Ozark Conference champion as a junior, but he missed last fall’s conference meet due to an illness.
HM: Micah Brouwer, Webb City
GIRLS TENNIS
Astrid Cardenas and Emma Watts, Joplin
Joplin doubles team Astrid Cardenas and Emma Watts are the SoMo Sports Girls Tennis Athletes of the Year
Joplin’s Astrid Cardenas and Emma Watts were a dominant doubles team during the 2021 season. The JHS duo went 26-3 in doubles matches last fall and concluded their stellar season at the Class 3 state tournament. Cardenas and Watts won the Central Ozark Conference championship, capping an undefeated regular season with a record of 23-0. Cardenas and Watts suffered their first loss of the season at the individual district tournament, where a runner-up finish secured a second straight state trip for the pair. The Eagles concluded a memorable season at the individual state tournament. A senior, Cardenas also went 11-3 in singles matches. Cardenas missed a number of early-season matches after suffering a facial injury over the summer. Watts, a junior, went 7-2 in singles matches. She also missed time due to a nagging back injury. Watts is expected to lead the Eagles this fall.
The Joplin Outlaws hosted the Sedalia Bombers in a key MINK League clash on Saturday night at Joe Becker Stadium. The Outlaws won the game 10-4 to take over sole possession of first place in the South Division standings.
Below are scenes from Saturday’s game. All photos by Shawn Fowler.
Joplin’s Garrett Chun had three hits, including two doubles, a team-high four RBI and scored a pair of runs at the plate to lead the Outlaws past Sedalia 10-4 on Saturday at Joe Becker Stadium.
The win for the Outlaws is the team’s sixth straight and gives Joplin sole possession of first place in the MINK League South Division with a 20-18 record. The Bombers, who came into the matchup tied with the Outlaws for first, fall to 19-19.
“These guys are playing selfless baseball and really playing for each other,” Joplin manager Gonzalo Gonzalez said about his team’s six-game win streak. “That is something you don’t really see in summer baseball. They are coming together and having team at-bats while the guys on the mound are picking each other up. To see the guys buy into the process is a beautiful thing.”
“From the first day he got here with that home run and double, he has been a spark plug for this team,” Gonzalez added about Chun’s impact. “He has definitely picked it up over the last couple of games, but for him to do what he did for our team—it wasn’t just his ability to get hits, but to hold other guys accountable and really be a good teammate on and off the field—he is just a great caliber of kid. We are going to miss him. He is leaving us on the 18th and there is no way we will be able to replace his bat.”
Joplin’s Carson Johnson, a Carl Junction product, fires the ball across the diamond for a putout in the Outlaws’ win over Sedalia on Saturday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
ON THE MOUND
Edrian Rangel started and took a no-decision for Joplin after allowing one run on two hits, two walks and three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Brett Graham allowed two runs on two hits in 2/3 of an inning. Cole White earned the win after allowing one run on three hits and three strikeouts in two relief innings. Connery O’Donnell and Justin Schrader each pitched a scoreless relief inning, with Schrader striking out two.
Toby Scheidt started and took a no-decision for the Bombers after allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in four innings of work. Parker Wright pitched one scoreless relief inning, walking one and allowing one hit. Austin Droege took the loss after allowing four runs on three hits, two walks and a strikeout in one relief inning. Hunter Tennison allowed three runs on one hit and two walks in 1 2/3 relief innings, while Zach Hillman did not allow a run while surrendering two hits in 1/3 of an inning.
GAME ACTION
Joplin opened the game with the first run touching the plate in the last of the first inning when Chun doubled to left field to score Liam Bailey, who walked with one out before stealing second, to give the Outlaws an early 1-0 advantage.
The Bombers knotted things back up with the Outlaws in the top of the third inning when Will Menendez hit a solo home run with one out.
Joplin got the run back in the bottom half of the inning when Caden Bressler walked to lead off the third before moving to second on a wild pitch and to third on a groundout to get within 90 feet of home. Chun came through once again, this time with a one-out RBI single to center field to put the Outlaws on top 2-1.
Joplin’s Liam Bailey wears a hit-by-pitch for an RBI in the Outlaws’ win over Sedalia on Saturday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
Bailey drew a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in the last of the fourth inning to give Joplin insurance and a 3-1 advantage.
Sedalia swung the momentum in its favor with one swing of the bat in the top of the sixth. After back to back singles to start the frame, Brayden McGinnis launched a three-run home run to give the Bombers a 4-3 lead.
Joplin rallied back in the bottom half of the sixth to tie the game when Bailey doubled to left field to score Carson Johnson, who walked to lead off the inning before advancing to second on a single from Bressler. Chun followed with a go-ahead two-run double to left field to put the Outlaws back on top, 6-3. Matt Campbell brought home Chun later in the inning with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 7-4.
“Garrett’s double was huge, especially after giving up that three spot,” Gonzalez said. “Every time they scored, we were able to respond and in the next inning we were able to put up a zero. That’s good baseball right there.”
Joplin added three more insurance runs in the eighth highlighted by RBI singles from Carson Carpenter and Tyler Davis.
ON DECK
Joplin hosts Jeff City at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Joe Becker Stadium before welcoming Carrol for a two-game series on Monday and Tuesday.
The win streak is up to five for the Joplin Outlaws.
The Outlaws rolled to a 15-2 win in seven innings over the Nevada Griffons on Friday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
After a fifth straight win, the Outlaws are 19-18 overall and tied with Sedalia for first place in the South Division.
The Griffons fell to 12-24.
The Outlaws led 1-0 when they erupted for eight runs in the third inning. The Griffons plated two runs in the fourth, but the hosts added six runs in the sixth. The game ended after the top of the seventh inning due to the run-rule.
Joplin scored its 15 runs on 12 hits.
Garrett Chun went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored for the Outlaws, while Max Bruff drove in four runs on two hits, including a home run.
Korrey Siracusa and Carson Carpenter contributed two hits apiece.
Joe Ricchio and Carpenter had two RBI apiece, while Caden Bressler, Cade Lott and Siracusa each drove in one run. Ricchio and Siracusa scored three runs apiece.
Jordan Sheridan scored twice and recorded a hit.
James Yamasaki, Kohl Cooper and Connor Peck handled the pitching duties for Joplin.
Seth Gray homered for the Griffons, who managed just four hits.
The Outlaws host Sedalia (19-18) at 7 on Saturday night in a key South Division clash.
Taking advantage of a game-ending balk in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Joplin Outlaws earned a 6-5 win over the Sedalia Bombers on Thursday night in MINK League action at Joe Becker Stadium.
A fourth straight win puts the Outlaws (18-18) in first place in the South Division standings, with Sedalia (17-18) a close second.
The game was deadlocked at five in the bottom of the ninth when Carson Carpenter scored the winning run from third when Sedalia’s pitcher was called for a balk.
The clash was scoreless until the fourth, as Max Bruff hit a two-run home run to give the Outlaws the lead.
The Bombers got a run back in the fifth on a sac fly from Zach Dillman, but the Outlaws responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.
During the inning, Bruff contributed a sac fly, with Caden Bressler scoring on the play, before Tyler Davis added a two-run single to center, scoring Joe Ricchio and Matt Campbell for a 5-1 advantage.
The Bombers plated three runs in the sixth and one in the top of the ninth to tie the game.
Bruff drove in three runs on two hits for the Outlaws, while Davis had two RBI. Bressler and Bruff had two hits apiece.
A.J. Moreno started and went 4 1/3 innings for the Outlaws, striking out six. Casey Thibault, Cameron Hill, Cole White and Justin Schrader pitched in relief. Schrader picked up the win.
The Outlaws host the Nevada Griffons (12-23) at 7 on Friday night.
The Joplin Outlaws scored five unanswered runs late in the game to earn a 5-1 win over the Chillicothe Mudcats on Wednesday night in MINK League action at Joe Becker Stadium.
The visitors plated a run in the first inning to take an early lead. The Outlaws were kept off the scoreboard the first five frames.
Joplin rallied for three runs in the sixth, as Matt Campbell hit a two-run home run and Carson Carpenter contributed a run-scoring triple.
Korey Siracusa’s two-run single in the seventh gave the hosts some insurance and accounted for the final score.
Caden Bressler, Campbell, Siracusa and Carpenter all had two hits apiece for the Outlaws, while Garrett Chun and Sam Fagan added one hit apiece.
Chun scored two runs, while Campbell and Siracusa drove in two runs apiece.
Ethan Sally started on the mound and went six innings for Joplin, allowing one run on four hits and two walks. Sally struck out 10.
Bressler pitched three scoreless innings in relief, giving up three hits and striking out three.
The Outlaws are now 17-18. Joplin hosts Sedalia (17-17) at 7 on Thursday, with first place in the South Division on the line.
The final homestand of the season definitely began on a positive note for the Joplin Outlaws.
In the first of nine straight home dates, the Outlaws earned a 17-7 run-rule victory over the Chillicothe Mudcats on Tuesday night in MINK League summer collegiate baseball action at Joe Becker Stadium.
The Outlaws completed the sweep by taking Tuesday’s second game with the Mudcats 8-6.
Joplin is now 16-18 on the season, good for second place in the South Division standings.
Joplin Outlaws outfielder Garrett Chun slides safely into third base during Tuesday’s first game against the Chillicothe Mudcats. All photos by Jason Peake.
OUTLAWS 17, MUDCATS 7
Outlaws right-hander Cole White delivers a pitch to the plate against the Mudcats on Tuesday night.
Completing a game that was suspended earlier this season, Tuesday’s opener picked up in the third inning with the score tied 6-6.
The Outlaws plated four runs in the game-changing fourth inning, with the Mudcats responding with a single tally in the bottom half. Joplin scored once in the fifth and three more in the sixth for a 14-7 advantage.
Joplin pushed across three runs in the seventh, and the game ended early due to the run-rule when the Mudcats failed to score in the bottom half.
The Outlaws recorded 13 hits. Caden Bressler and Jordan Sheridan both went 3-for-4, while Garrett Chun and Cade Lott added two hits apiece.
Korrey Siracusa, Grant Jones and Carson Johnson added a hit apiece. A Joplin High School product who recently joined the squad, Jones drove in three runs.
Bressler, Lott and Siracusa had two RBI apiece. Siracusa scored four runs, while Bressler, Johnson and Lott crossed home three times apiece.
Cole White was the winning pitcher.
OUTLAWS 8, MUDCATS 6
Trailing 6-4 in the nightcap, the Outlaws pushed across three runs in the bottom of the fifth. An insurance run in the sixth accounted for the final score.
The Outlaws recorded nine hits.
Bressler, Chun and Johnson contributed two hits apiece for Joplin, while Joe Ricchio and Tyler Davis had two RBI apiece.
Jones and Ricchio scored two runs apiece. Matt Woodmansee contributed an RBI.
Jack Kelley started and went 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on three hits and six walks while striking out four. Connery O’Donnell and Harold Baez pitched in relief.
FINAL HOMESTAND
Joplin’s final homestand of the regular season will continue all week.
The Outlaws host the Mudcats (10-17) again on Wednesday night before a date with Sedalia (17-17) on Thursday.
The Outlaws host Nevada on Friday, Sedalia on Saturday, Jefferson City on Sunday and Carroll on both Monday and Tuesday to wrap up the regular season home slate. All games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Caden Bressler drives in a run during the fourth inning of Tuesday’s opener against the Chillicothe Mudcats.
Nine players will represent the Joplin Outlaws at Sunday’s MINK League All-Star Game in Clarinda, Iowa.
Outlaws named to the South Division all-star team were infielders Liam Bailey, Max Bruff, Michael Long and Caden Bressler, outfielder Garrett Chun, catcher Joe Riccchio and pitchers Edrian Rangel and Cole White.
Outlaws outfielder Carson Carpenter will participate in the home run derby.
The home run derby is slated to begin at 5, with the North vs. South all-star game to follow at 7.
The Clarinda A’s scored seven late runs to earn a 13-9 come from behind win over the Joplin Outlaws on Wednesday night in MINK League action at Joe Becker Stadium.
The Outlaws led 8-6 after five innings, but the A’s plated three runs in the sixth and four in the seventh. Joplin added a single tally in the eighth, but it wasn’t enough.
The hosts got off to a great start.
The Outlaws plated four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Garrett Chun delivered a run-scoring single to center, Max Bruff drew a bases-loaded walk and Matt Woodmansee contributed a two-run single to center.
The A’s scored three runs in the top of the third, but the hosts answered with three runs in the bottom half.
During the frame, Cade Lott hit a sac fly, Carson Johnson added an RBI single and Caden Bressler hit an RBI double for a 7-3 lead.
Clarinda pushed across two runs in the fourth before both teams added single tallies in the fifth.
The A’s outscored the Outlaws 10-2 after the third inning en route to victory.
A Webb City product, Woodmansee drove in three runs on one hit. Bressler had two RBI, while Chun, Lott and Johnson drove in one run apiece.
Bressler, Bruff and Johnson had two hits apiece, while Sam Fagan doubled.
Ethan Sally started for Joplin and allowed five runs on four hits and six walks in 3 1/3 innings.
Kinson Michel, Andrew Sumner, Casey Thibault and Harold Baez pitched in relief.
Clarinda’s Aidan Garrett drove in six runs on two hits, a double and a triple. Will Walsh was the winning pitcher after allowing just one run in three innings of relief.
The Outlaws are now 14-15, still good for first place in the South Division.
Clarinda is 21-9 on the season, second in the North Division behind St. Joseph (21-8).
The Outlaws are at Sedalia on Thursday and Friday before a date at St. Joseph on Saturday.
Joplin’s next home game will be on July 12 against Chillicothe.
Caden Bressler hit a walk-off home run and the Joplin Outlaws overcame an eight-run deficit to earn a thrilling 14-12 win over the Clarinda A’s on Tuesday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
The visitors led 8-0 after the top of the fourth inning, but the Outlaws plated four runs in the bottom half to cut their deficit in half.
The hosts plated single tallies in both the fifth and sixth before a four-run seventh trimmed Clarinda’s lead to 11-10.
The A’s scored once in the top of the eighth, but the Outlaws tied it up with two in the bottom half before the late heroics completed an improbable come from behind win.
Garrett Chun drove in four runs on two hits, a double and a triple. Carson Carpenter, Tyler Davis and Bressler added two RBI apiece.
Korrey Siracusa scored three runs for the hosts, while Joe Ricchio and Davis each scored two runs apiece. Davis homered and Carson Johnson tripled for the Outlaws, who used seven pitchers in the game.
In the ninth, Johnson walked before Bressler homered.
Joplin hosts Clarinda again at 7 on Wednesday night.
For the second straight night, the Joplin Outlaws recorded a run-rule victory over the Nevada Griffons.
On Independence Day, the Outlaws rolled to a 13-2 win over the Griffons at Joe Becker Stadium.
One night earlier, Joplin blasted Nevada 12-1 in seven innings at Lyons Stadium. Both MINK League contests ended after the seventh inning due to the run-rule.
On Monday, the Outlaws scored six runs in the third, five in the fourth and two more in the fifth to plate 13 runs. The Griffons scored twice in the sixth, but the game concluded after the top of the seventh.
Joplin pounded out 13 hits. Carson Johnson went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Garrett Chun drove in five runs on two hits. Both players homered.
Liam Bailey and Korrey Siracusa had two hits apiece, Caden Bressler scored three runs from the leadoff spot, Michael Long crossed the plate twice and Matt Woodmansee contributed two RBI.
On the mound, Edrian Rangel tossed five scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out three.
Jordan Sheridan, Gavin Stowell and George Fisher also pitched for the Outlaws.
Nevada’s Grant Miller gave up six earned runs on five hits and five walks in three frames. Richard Tomlinson allowed five earned runs on three hits in one inning.
Recording hits for the Griffons were Maximo DeLeon, Seth Gray and Andrew Pickering.
In Sunday’s win, the Outlaws pushed across seven runs in the third and five more in the fourth.
Johnson drove in three runs on two hits, while Chun, Joe Ricchio and Sam Fagan all contributed two RBI apiece.
James Yamasaki gave up just one run on one hit in 3 1/3 innings, striking out four.
Kohl Cooper, Connor Peck and Brett Graham pitched in relief.
The Outlaws are now 13-14 overall, good for first place in the South Division.
Joplin hosts Clarinda at 7 on Tuesday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Sedalia scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning and added insurance in the ninth on the way to a 4-1 win in a pitcher’s duel over Joplin on Thursday in MINK League action at Joe Becker Stadium.
“I think for me, the best thing I saw today was just better baseball,” Joplin manager Gonzalo Gonzalez said. “Top to bottom, 1 through 9. We played better baseball, clean baseball. The game didn’t go our way, but the process of getting there was better.”
ON THE MOUND
Peyton Messer earned the win after allowing one run on four hits, four walks and six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Carter Degonia allowed one hit, walked one and struck out four in 3 1/3 scoreless relief innings.
Ethan Sally started and took the loss for Joplin after allowing two runs on six hits, a walk and three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Gavin Stowell and Andrew Sumner combined for three scoreless relief innings, while Brett Graham and Cole White each allowed a run in a combined one inning of work.
“It goes back a couple of days, our pitching has been keeping us in games,” Gonzalez said. “Our offense needs to pick it up a little bit. We need to make sure our approach is there, and today it was. It was better than it has been. If we keep getting this from our pitching, and our offense comes back around, we’re going to be alright.”
The Bombers and Outlaws took a scoreless game into the fifth before Sedalia’s Kayden Williams singled to right field with one out and runners at the corners to plate the first run of the inning. Cade Shupe followed with a pinch-hit RBI single to right to bring home the second run for a 2-0 lead.
Joplin cut the lead in half in the bottom of the sixth inning when Sam Fagan singled to left field to score Liam Bailey, who walked earlier in the frame.
The Bombers added two insurance runs in the ninth inning an RBI double from Williams and four walks in the inning, the last of which forced in a run.
AT THE PLATE
Williams had three hits, two RBI and scored a run to lead Sedalia in the box. Duffin Makings and Brayden McGinnis each had two hits.
Caden Bressler, Carson Johnson, Carson Carpenter and Michael Long all had hits for the Outlaws.
ON DECK
Joplin gets a chance for instant revenge as the Outlaws host Sedalia once again for a 7 p.m. matchup on Friday at Joe Becker Stadium.
