Nevada scored a run in each of the first three innings on the way to a 4-0 win over Joplin in MINK League South Division action on Monday at Joe Becker Stadium.
With the loss, the Outlaws fall to 12-14 on the season while the Griffons improve to 13-15. The Sedalia Bombers lead the South Division with a 14-15 record with Nevada and Joplin both a half game back. Jefferson City is in fourth place with a 12-15 record.
“Another game,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “We outhit them. … You just have these teams. We found more barrels, hit balls harder but they just didn’t fall today. If we limit traffic in the first three innings things could have been different. Who knows. We will get these guys eventually.”
Joplin outhit Nevada 6-4, but couldn’t string anything together to push a run across. The advantage came in the form of free passes, with the Griffons drawing six walks and three hit-by-pitches compared to the Outlaws’ two walks drawn.
“You have to limit traffic,” Dawson said. “That is all we can do. You can’t give them free bags. … I can’t be mad at our guys tonight. They had good approaches at the plate and barreled baseballs. I couldn’t ask for anything more. It is just one of those days.”
ON THE MOUND
Chase Beiter, a Missouri Southern Lion, started for Nevada and earned the win after pitching six shutout innings, scattering four hits, walking two and striking out four. Steve Marhefke pitched three scoreless relief innings on two hits and two strikeouts.
Steen Lane, a Missouri Southern Lion, started and took the loss for Joplin after allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits, three walks and four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. John Kea allowed one run on one hit, two walks and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 relief innings. Gavin Heltemes allowed one hit and struck out one in one relief inning, while Jake Algee struck out two and walked one in a scoreless frame.
GAME ACTION
The Griffons went to work in the top of the first inning, loading the bases with one out after two hit-by-pitches sandwiched around a walk. Matthew Leong’s fielder’s choice groundout brought home Kahle Good for a 1-0 advantage. Lane got out of the jam with a strikeout to only allow the one run.
Nevada’s Cameron Saso worked a one-out walk in the top of the second and later came around to score on a wild pitch to push the Griffons’ lead to 2-0.
Saso extended the lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning with a two-out RBI single to plate Tyler Davis.
Good walked and moved to second on an error to start the top of the seventh before advancing to third on a stolen base. Jesse Fonteboa brought him home in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly to left to make the score 4-0.
IN THE BOX
Leong had one hit and an RBI, while Saso had a hit, scored a run, drove in one and walked once to lead Nevada.
Jared Toler and Calen Protaskey each had two hits to lead the Outlaws.
UP NEXT
Joplin travels to Nevada for a 7 p.m. matchup on Tuesday.
“You just have to plug away,” Dawson said. “From here on out, it’s just finding a way.”