CLAREMORE, Okla. — Joplin went 1-1 at the Tiger/Zebra Classic on Friday, with a win over Claremore in the opener before falling to Fort Gibson in the second game.
The Eagles are 4-1 to start the season.
JOPLIN 12, CLAREMORE 11
Joplin built a 6-1 lead by the end of the second inning and pushed the advantage to 12-6 through five complete in the opener against Claremore. The Zebras rallied with a run in the sixth and scored four times in the seventh to trim the deficit to one, but the Eagles held on for the win before the tying run crossed home.
Fielding Campbell earned the win for the Eagles after allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits, three walks and three strikeouts. Josh Harryman allowed five runs, three earned, on three hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Byler Reihter pitched a scoreless 2/3 of an inning and allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one.
Cameron Palmer took the loss after allowing eight runs on eight hits, four walks and three strikeouts. Grant Evans allowed four runs, two earned, on four hits, three walks and two strikeouts in four innings of relief.
Campbell and Kohl Cooper led Joplin at the plate with two hits apiece. Campbell had a run-scoring triple in the second inning and finished the game with a team-high four runs scored and two RBI. Cooper doubled home a run in the first and added an RBI double in the second inning before finishing with a team-high three RBI and a run scored. Ethan Guilford had a hit, two RBI and a run scored, while David Fiscus and Alex Curry each had hits and drove in two apiece. Kirk Chandler doubled and scored a run.
FORT GIBSON 7, JOPLIN 3
Joplin suffered its first loss of the year after Fort Gibson extended a 3-2 lead to 7-2 with a four-run fifth inning on the way to the win.
Gray Edwards earned the start and no-decision after pitching two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk. Grant Edwards earned the win in relief after allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits, two walks and five strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.
Kirk Chandler took the loss after surrendering seven runs, six earned, on five hits, three walks and three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Joe Jasper pitched a scoreless 1 1/3 innings in relief, giving up two hits and striking out three.
Alex Curry, Chandler, Ethan Guilford and Byler Reither all had hits for Joplin. Guilford and Reither picked up an RBI each, while Bodee Carlson, who walked twice, Brady Mails and Fielding Campbell all scored a run.
UP NEXT
Joplin ends play in the Tiger/Zebra Classic with a 3 p.m. matchup against Pryor, Oklahoma, on Saturday.
