NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada scored five runs through the first five innings on the way to a 6-0 win over Joplin on Saturday in MINK League South Division action.
Nevada broke a scoreless tie with a run in the second inning before adding a single tally in the third to go up 2-0. The Griffons plated two runs in the fourth and a run in the fifth to build a 5-0 advantage. Nevada added an insurance run in the eighth inning.
The loss drops Joplin’s record to 11-13 and into a three-way tie for first place in the South Division. Sedalia and Jefferson City both have a 12-14 record, while Nevada improves to 12-15.
GAME ACTION
Nevada’s Cameron Saso started the scoring in the second inning with an RBI single to plate Matthew Leong.
Braden Hinton picked up an RBI single in the third inning, with Jesse Fonteboa touching home on the play to put the Griffons up 2-0.
Chase Beiter scored in the bottom of the fourth after Saso’s sac bunt was compounded by a Joplin error. Saso came around to score later in the inning on a sac fly from Fonteboa to make the score 4-0.. Leong scored in the fifth on a wild pitch to put Nevada’s lead at 5-0 and Fonteboa added to his line in the eighth inning after singling home Jack Swisher to push the lead to 6-0 in favor of Nevada.
ON THE MOUND
Dustin Niles pitched a gem for the Griffons, earning the win after blanking the Outlaws over eight innings. He scattered four hits, walked one and struck out 11. Xavier Fosbenner walked one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Christitan DeJesus started and took the loss for Joplin after allowing two runs on three hits, three walks and seven strikeouts in three innings. Justin Schrader allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in five innings of relief.
AT THE PLATE
Leong and Beiter each had two hits to lead Nevada. Leon scored twice, while Beiter scored once. Fonteboa led Nevada with two RBI and a run scored to go along with one hit.
Brett Wiemers, Logan Cline, Ethan Ellis and Jared Toler each collected hits for Joplin.
UP NEXT
Jeff City travels to Joplin for a 7 p.m. contest on Sunday at Joe Becker Stadium before the Outlaws host Nevada on Monday.
