Joplin scored a pair of early runs and kept Lamar at bay until the Eagles used a three-run sixth inning to pull away to a 5-2 win in the regular season finale on Wednesday at the JHS Athletic Complex.
“It is always good to come out in that last regular season game and get a win on your home field,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said. “Hopefully, that propels you into next week when you only have one guaranteed game left. We say all year that all of the ups and downs and everything throughout the season leads you to this point. Hopefully, we can find some renewed energy coming off this win and get after it next week.”
ON DECK
Joplin ends the regular season with a 14-14 record. The Eagles are the fifth seed as the hosts of the Class 6 District 6 Tournament and take on fourth-seeded Republic at 1:30 p.m. on Monday at the JHS Athletic Complex.
“We are so blessed to have this facility and to be able to play at this place,” Wolf said about hosting. “Anytime we can bring games to Joplin and put them on our field, we are excited to do so. Hopefully, our kids will take a little home field pride out there with them and execute the way we are capable of.”
ON THE MOUND
Brady Mails started the game and earned the win after allowing one unearned run on six hits and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Joe Jasper worked 1 1/3 innings in relief, allowing one unearned run on two hits and a strikeout.
“He struggled a little early getting his tempo and finding his balance,” Wolf said of Mails’ outing. “When he found it, he did a good job of hitting spots and getting some quick outs for us.”
Robert Lawrence took the loss after allowing two runs on eight hits, a walk and two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings of work. Ryan Davis worked 1 1/3 innings of relief, allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits, a walk and two strikeouts.
GAME ACTION
After Lamar left the bases loaded in the top of the first, Joplin swung the momentum in its favor with the game’s first run coming in the bottom of the frame. Byler Reither singled to right-center field with one out before stealing second and coming around to score on a two-out, two-strike single by Ethan Guilford to make the score 1-0.
The Eagles added to their lead an inning later with another two-out run when Reither doubled to center to score Isaac Meadows from second for a 2-0 advantage.
Lamar cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth when Lawrence doubled off the wall in left field to plate a run. The Tigers stranded the tying and go-ahead run.
Lamar threatened to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning when Alex Wilkerson singled to lead off the frame before ending up on second with two outs. Jasper entered in relief and induced a flyout to end the threat.
“That’s a tie game if he doesn’t get that out,” Wolf said of Jasper’s relief appearance. “For him to go out there and get us back in the dugout still up a run was a good job by him.”
Joplin struck for insurance in the bottom of the sixth inning after Kyler Stokes ripped a two-out single to left field to plate Bodee Carlson from second to make the score 3-1. Guilford followed with a sharp single up the middle to bring Stokes home for a second run in the inning. Landon Maples, who was courtesy running for Guilford, scored later in the inning on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 5-1.
“That was huge to be able to come out and score those three runs late in the game,” Wolf said. “Especially right after they scored when they had a little energy and were feeling good. To come out and put up those three took a little air out of their dugout and gave us some confidence.”
Lawrence singled to left field on a 3-2 pitch with one out in the top of the seventh to score a run and trim the deficit to 5-2.
AT THE PLATE
Reither had two hits, including a double, to go alone with one RBI and a run scored, while Guilford had two hits and two RBI. Justin McReynolds had two hits, while Stokes had a hit, one RBI and a run scored.
