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MINK LEAGUE: Joplin’s snaps Clarinda’s 10-game winning streak

By:
Jason Peake

 

Brett Wiemers had a big night at the plate, Drake Angeron’s late-game gamble paid off and the Joplin Outlaws earned a 6-5 win over the Clarinda A’s on Friday in front of a large crowd at Joe Becker Stadium.

The loss snapped league-leading Clarinda’s 10-game winning streak.

“That’s a great team,” Outlaws manager Chris Dawson said of the A’s. “They’re the best in our league. They don’t lose very often. So this was a great team win. That was just a great baseball game. That was a fun one.” 

Clarinda has been the top team in the MINK League all summer, as the A’s now own a record of 26-4.

For the Outlaws (14-16) it was a confidence-building victory.

“Everyone in the MINK League knows what’s been going on in Clarinda,” said Wiemers, who is headed to Pittsburg State after a stint at Neosho County Community College. “To be able to beat them, especially as we get near the end of the season, is a real boost for us.” 

Wiemers had a game to remember. The Pittsburg, Kansas, native went 4-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored to lead Joplin’s offensive attack.

“I’ve been seeing the ball real well the last few games and I’m just trying to find some barrels,” said Wiemers, who played right field and hit in the leadoff spot on Friday. “I wasn’t trying to do too much at the plate. But when you find enough barrels eventually you’ll get one out.” 

A solo home run from Wiemers gave the Outlaws a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. 

Joplin went up 2-0 in the fourth when Angeron singled, stole second and later scored on a Clarinda error. Later in the same inning, Wiemers launched a two-run home run to make it 4-0. 

“Brett really got us going early with the two home runs,” Dawson noted. 

The A’s plated three runs in the top of the fifth to trim the Outlaws’ lead to a single tally. 

Clarinda (31-5 overall) tied it up in the seventh, as Dylan Bailey doubled before Isaac Lopez hit a game-tying RBI single. 

Joplin pulled back ahead in the bottom half of the frame when Logan Cline singled and later scored on Cade Lott’s ground out.

The A’s tied the game in the top of the eighth, but the visitors were unable to do any further damage, as they stranded the bases loaded.

The Outlaws took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth. Angeron walked and later sprinted home from third after a dropped third strike. 

“Drake took a chance there and was able to take home,” Dawson said. “That was big. We did what we needed to do to get the win.” 

Jack O’Brien started on the mound for the Outlaws. He went six innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out four in the no-decision. Austin Gottula, John Kea and Jake Algee pitched in relief. 

Kea, who struck out three in the eighth, was credited with the win, while Algee picked up the save after tossing a scoreless ninth. 

“Jack was awesome,” Dawson said. “He’s been that guy for us all summer long. Gottula got us out of a jam. John was able to minimize the damage in the eighth and that was huge. And Algee closed it out for us. It was a great job by those guys.” 

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Outlaws host the A’s again at 7 on Saturday night. 

 

NEVADA GRIFFONS END SEASON

Following a positive COVID-19 test in the organization, the Nevada Griffons will not play another game this season, a MINK League press release stated Friday.

“It is with great disappointment that the season for the Griffons has ended,” MINK League Commissioner Ron Rodriguez said in the press release. “We wish nothing but the best for the players, coaches, staff, fans, and the Nevada community.”

 

Outlaws starting pitcher Jack O’Brien delivers a pitch during Friday’s game with the Clarinda A’s at Joe Becker Stadium.

 

Drake Angeron hauls in a fly ball in left field. Angeron scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

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