After losing to the Carroll Merchants by a single run on Monday, the Joplin Outlaws sought redemption and got it with a 12-4 victory on Tuesday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin took an early lead and kept it through the entire game while consistently denying Carroll hits. The Outlaws scored six runs in the seventh inning, putting the final nail in the Merchants’ coffin.
ON THE MOUND
Sullivan Lane earned the win for Joplin after giving up three runs in six innings on six hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Lane didn’t give up a single run until his sixth inning on the mound.
“Getting a couple zeroes early, obviously, was big,” Outlaws manager Chris Dawson said. “Sully did a great job tonight, so hats off to him.
“He gave us five strong innings. We kind of let him eat that sixth a little bit. We probably should have pulled him earlier, but he gave us a good start.”
Mark Kenney took the loss for Carroll after giving up six runs in six innings on eight hits, six walks and three strikeouts.
GAME ACTION
The Outlaws took the lead in the bottom of the second when William Kelley homered for two RBI.
“Hats off to Will Kelley for getting us started with that home run,” Dawson said.
In the third inning Karson Green sent one home with a single to center field.
Caden Bressler doubled to center field, sending one home and bringing the score to 4-0 in the fourth inning.
Carrol finally rallied in the top of the sixth. Ethan Cole delivered the Merchants’ first RBI of the night with a single to center field. Cullen McBride hit a sac fly before Jordan Brandenburg earned an RBI with a single to left field, bringing the score to 4-3.
Joplin hit back, extending their lead in the next half inning. Jason Lazo sent one home with a single to center field before Caden Myers grounded out to center field for an RBI.
The Outlaws piled on six insurance runs in the seventh inning. Brett Sarwinski tripled to right field, sending one home. Sarwinski made it home when Bressler singled to left field. Bressler scored on a double to center field that was hit by Kolton Reynolds. Landon Meyer grounded to shortstop, sending Reynolds in for a run. Lazo followed and hit a homer with bases clear. Up next, Caden Myers singled before advancing to second. William Kelley sent Myers home with a double to left field.
The Merchants broke their silent streak in the top of the eighth when Blake Tigges earned an RBI with a sac fly out to center field, but it was too little, too late.
AT THE PLATE
Kelley earned three RBI on two hits, while Lazo earned two RBI while scoring twice on three hits. Bressler scored once and sent two home on two hits and a walk. Sarwinski and Reynolds each earned an RBI and scored twice while Myers and Green each sent one home and scored once.
“Offensively we finally came through and got off to a hot start and we were able to score early and get our guys the lead,” Dawson said. “When you got guys up and down, one through nine, doing damage and having good swings, you know that’s gonna be a good thing.”
For Carroll, Cole earned an RBI and scored a run on one hit, while McBride, Brandenburg and Tigges each sent one in.
ON DECK
The Outlaws will play a twinbill against Sedalia beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
“Overall, we did great,” Dawson said of Tuesday’s performance. “We still have to clean up defensively and that’s going to be the message tonight. The magic number is down to four now to clinch the No. 1 seed, so we just got to keep at it. We’ve got a big doubleheader tomorrow against the really good Sedalia team and we’re probably going to see Sedalia’s ace, so that’s going to be tough. We’ll have our two best arms going, they’ll have their two best arms and we’re going to see how we come out. It should be a good day tomorrow.”
After Wednesday, Joplin will have just four games until the end of the regular season. The last home game of the season will be played against at 7 p.m. on Aug. 23 at Joe Becker Stadium.
