SEDALIA, Mo. — After starting their season with two victories at home Joplin faced Sedalia on the road Wednesday night and came home victorious, thanks in part to a first-inning grand slam.
After taking an early lead with an incredible grand slam by Landon Meyer, the Outlaws fought through five scoreless innings pitched by Sedalia Bombers pitcher Reid Plum. The Bombers seemed to pick up some momentum with a run in the fifth inning and again in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough to overtake the Outlaws’ lead. After adding an insurance run in the sixth, Joplin ended their first away game of the season with a 5-2 victory.
ON THE MOUND
Caden Bressler started and earned the no-decision for Joplin after pitching four scoreless innings on four hits, three walks and eight strikeouts. Chris Massey earned the win in relief after a scoreless inning on one hit, two walks and two strikeouts.
Sedalia starter Reid Plum took the loss for the Bombers after giving up four runs on two hits, five walks and ten strikeouts in X innings.
GAME ACTION
Joplin’s top of the first took the lead in the top of the first. The inning began with a walk for Cole Hill before he advanced to second after Jaret Nelson was hit by a pitch. The pair then stole third and second base before Kolden Howeton walked to first to load the bases. Meyer stepped up to the plate and cleared the bases with one swing to make with bases loaded. Meyer brought everybody home with a grand slam that brought the score to 4-0.
After an exciting start, the Outlaws were silent at the plate after facing four scoreless innings pitched by Sedalia’s Plum. After a tough first inning, Plum gave up only one hit for the rest of his time on the mound.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Grant Lambeth hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing the lone run home for the Bombers.
Joplin’s Byron Blaise answered with an insurance run in the top of the sixth, bringing the score to 5-1.
Sedalia’s Nic Beech hit another sacrifice fly to center field in the bottom of the sixth, but the Bombers Sedalia just couldn’t catch up with Joplin.
AT THE PLATE
Meyer had two hits, scored one run, and drove four home. Blaise had a hit and scored one run.
Beech and Lambeth each had one hit and drove one home, leading Sedalia at the plate.
ON DECK
Joplin remains on the road to face off against the St. Joseph Mustangs in a 7 p.m. game on Thursday at St. Joseph’s Phil Welch Stadium
