The Joplin Outlaws struggled to generate much offense against the Jefferson City Renegades on Friday night.
Featuring a pair of pitchers with local ties, the Renegades limited the hosts to five hits and rode a big first inning to a 6-2 victory over the Outlaws in a MINK League clash at Joe Becker Stadium.
“It was just a tough night,” Outlaws manager Chris Dawson said. “It’s going to happen in baseball. We just couldn’t get anything going. Jefferson City had their night. It is what it is. We just have to turn the page and move on.”
Despite the loss, the Outlaws remain on top of the MINK League’s South Division standings at 10-9, a half game ahead of Sedalia (10-10).
Jefferson City left-hander Jacob Davis, a Missouri Southern Lion who hails from Cairo, Missouri, was the winning pitcher. In a stellar performance, Davis limited the Outlaws to one unearned run on three hits in six innings while striking out seven.
“He just had our number tonight,” Dawson said.
The Renegades used four other pitchers over the last three frames. One of them was Joplin product Quinn Goettel (Texas at Permian Basin), who tossed a scoreless seventh inning while striking out two.
Joplin starting pitcher Reese Weaks took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits and two walks. Jeremiah Kennedy, a Missouri Southern Lion from Carl Junction, tossed four innings in relief, allowing two runs on five hits. Clayton Saporito pitched two scoreless innings.
On Pink in the Park Night, which benefited breast cancer awareness, the Renegades (10-12 MINK) plated four runs in the top of the first on four hits, two walks, a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch. Carter Mize smacked a solo home run in the fifth to give the visitors a 5-0 cushion.
The Outlaws, who had just one hit after five innings, finally got the bats going in the bottom of the sixth. Ethan Lopez singled, Caleb Feuerstake was hit by a pitch and Jeb Jenkins singled to load the bases with no outs.
After an out, Brett Wiemers lifted a sacrifice fly to right to get the hosts on the board.
The Renegades, who totaled 10 hits in the game, got the run back in the seventh, when David Dell doubled and later scored on Mize’s RBI single.
Joplin pushed across a single tally in the bottom of the ninth when Lopez charged home from third on a Jenkins sac bunt.
Jenkins was the lone Outlaw with two hits, while Lopez scored twice.
Also of note, Dawson was ejected in the fourth inning after the home plate umpire overturned a close call at first base after Jefferson City manager Mike DeMilia protested the original safe call.
“It’s tough for me for an overturn when the first base guy is right there,” Dawson said. “He had the better angle. I just didn’t think they got it right. They thought they did.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Outlaws will host the Joplin Playmakers in an exhibition game at 7 on Saturday night.
The Outlaws will then take on the Nevada Griffons at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas, at 6 on July 4 in another exhibition.
“We have a couple days now where we’re kind of off,” Dawson said. “Tomorrow night will be fun for the fans. And it will be nice to get the guys down there at a Double-A park and watch the fireworks. We can relax the next couple of nights before turning it back on Monday.”
