A stellar season that saw the Outlaws climb to the top of their division ended in defeat on Tuesday when Joplin lost to Jefferson City 9-5 in the MINK League South Division title game.
“Hats off to Jeff City, they came out swinging and put it on us early,” Outlaws manager Chris Dawson said after the game.
The Renegades scored nine runs before Joplin scored one. Joplin scored another four runs in the bottom of the ninth in front of a devoted crowd but couldn’t make up the deficit.
For the Outlaws, the 2023 season concluded with Tuesday’s loss.
Jefferson City advanced to the MINK League’s championship series against North Division champion St. Joseph.
“I wish we were on the other side,” Dawson said. “I hope one day we’ll be able to get over the hump and bring one home for Joplin. Best of luck to Jeff City, and hopefully next year will be our year.”
ON THE MOUND
Colin Shreves brought home the win for Jefferson City after a long eight-and-a-half inning stint on the mound. Shreves gave up three runs on four hits, a walk and a strikeout.
“We put ourselves behind the eight-ball quick and their guy threw a perfect game through five,” Dawson said of Shreves.
Steen Lane took the loss for Joplin after giving up seven runs in four innings on nine hits, two walks and a strikeout. Sullivan Lane, Will Islay and Eli Stoops also pitched for the Outlaws.
“We had our best arms out there and our best lineup, and we just came up short,” Dawson said.
GAME ACTION
Jefferson City seized the lead in the top of the first inning with RBIs earned by Eli Hill, Justin Rivera and Kam Durnin. Hill singled, Rivera doubled and Durnin hit a sac fly to center field.
Hill hit a homer in the next inning, tacking on two more unanswered runs for the Renegades.
The Renegades brought the score to 7-0 in the top of the fifth with an RBI by Nate McHugh and a run scored on a passed ball.
Jefferson City added another two runs in the eighth inning. Kadyn Williams scored on a balk and Aiden Bauman earned an RBI with a single to center field, bringing the score to 9-0.
Joplin scored its first run of the night after Jason Lazo hit a triple before scoring on a wild pitch in the eighth inning.
The Outlaws put together a spirited rally in the ninth. With one out, Garret Chun stepped to the plate and got things rolling for the Outlaws with a single to right field. Chun advanced to second when Nixon Brannan made it to first after being hit by a pitch. Kolton Reynolds sent Chun home with a single to left field.
Jaret Nelson walked next, loading the bases with Brannan on third and Reynolds on second. Lazo stepped up to the plate with Joplin down 9-2, one out on the board and the bases loaded. Lazo earned his second RBI of the night with a single.
After a pitching change, Landon Meyer grounded out to second base for an RBI, sending Reynolds home.
At bat after Meyer, Reynolds walked to reload the bases. Caden Bressler was hit by a pitch, earning an RBI.
Jefferson City put another fresh arm on the mound, and he retired the side.
“We gave it a good shot there in the ninth, but it was a little too late,” Dawson said. “I wish we’d put some pressure on them there earlier in the game and made them go to their bullpen, but we just didn’t do it till late.”
AT THE PLATE
Reynolds sent one home and scored once on two hits. Lazo earned an RBI and scored one on two hits. Bressler and Meyer each earned an RBI and Brannan and Nelson each scored a run.
Hill earned three RBI and scored twice on two hits. McHugh, Baumann, Durnin, and Rivera each sent one home. Williams scored once on two hits while Luke Matschiner scored three runs on two hits and two walks.
A STELLAR SEASON
The Outlaws were the regular season champs of the South Division.
“Hell of a group we have, top to bottom they just didn’t quit,” Dawson said of his team. “I can’t wait to keep in touch with these guys and I can’t wait to see what they do in the spring. We have some really special guys on this team that are going to do some pretty big things moving forward, so hats off to them.”
