ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — After a three-game winning streak to start the season, Joplin suffered its first loss of the season, 9-6, against St. Joseph on Thursday night at Phil Welch Stadium.
Joplin trailed early but took the lead back in the fifth inning and held it until the seventh inning when St. Joe scored five to take control for good.
ON THE MOUND
Luke Shmedding earned the no-decision for Joplin after pitching four innings with two runs on two hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Logan Rains took the loss in relief after pitching one inning with two runs on no hits, three walks and no strikeouts.
Frank Gall earned the win for St. Joseph after giving up four runs on five hits, five walks, and five strikeouts in five innings of work.
GAME ACTION
The Mustangs took the lead in the bottom of the second after Noah Bodenhousen walked with the bases loaded to bring home a run. Trevor McCollum stepped up to the plate with bases still loaded and drove one home after being hit by a pitch, bringing the score to 2-0 for St. Joseph.
Joplin rallied with a strong fifth inning. Cole Hill flied out to center field and brought one home, bringing the score to 2-1. Jaret Nelson stepped up to the plate with runners on second and third andsent both home with a double to left field that pushed Joplin into the lead, 3-2. William Kelley brought Nelson home with a single to left field, pushing the Outlaws’ lead to 4-2.
Hill brought another run home for the Outlaws with a grounder to third base in the top of the sixth, bolstering Joplin’s leadtot 5-2.
St. Joseph scored in the bottom of the sixth after Dakota Spicer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and McCollum singled to center field.
Kolden Howerton added an insurance run for the Outlaws with a sacrifice fly to left field, with Joplin ending the top of the seventh in a 6-4 advantage.
In the bottom of the seventh, William Dryburg was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and pushed one home. Michael Paule then scored on a wild pitch. Aron Harrington reached on a fielder’s choice, pushing another runhome for St. Joseph. The Mustangs wrapped up their scoring in the inning when Bodenhousen brought two home with a single to second base.
AT THE PLATE
Hill had two hits and sent two home. Nelson had one hit, drove two home, and scored twice for Joplin.
Bodenhousen led St. Joseph with one hit and three RBI.
ON DECK
Joplin plays the Mustangs again at 7 p.m. Friday night at Phil Welch Stadium in St. Joseph.
