Fueled by a six-run second inning, Nixa handed Joplin it’s first Central Ozark Conference loss with a 7-1 victory on Monday.
Joplin (11-6, 3-1 COC) took a 1-0 lead into the top of the second inning when Nixa (13-2, 3-0 COC) used four walks and a hit-by-pitch as a catalyst for six runs crossing the plate. Nixa added an unearned run in the sixth inning en route to the win.
“When you give a team of their caliber some extra opportunities, they’re probably going to take advantage of it,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said of Nixa’s six-run second inning. “It’s hard to overcome. At the plate, I thought we had some good at-bats against a pretty good lefty. We just couldn’t get them at the right time and couldn’t string any of them together. … We have to shake some things up, figure some things out and start playing a little better.”
Joplin took the initial lead after David Fiscus brought home a run with the bases-loaded single through the left side to score Bodee Carlson in the bottom of the first inning.
“David has had a lot better approach at the plate here the last three or four games,” Wolf said. “He came up in a big spot and got a hit for us.”
Fiscus’ single was the last of four straight base hits with one out for Joplin, which managed to score just the one tally in the first innings after consecutive strikeouts following the RBI ended the threat with the bags full.
“That was a huge inning to start off the game,” Wolf said. “You feel good getting one, but if you come up with another hit right there, you can push two or three across. That is just confidence in the situation.”
Nixa started the second inning with a hit-by-pitch before a walk allowed the first two batters to reach. Nixa tied the game two batters later when Alex Johnson singled up the middle with one out to score John Gholson. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases and forced a run home to give NHS the lead. Ryan Retone followed with a double to center field to score two runs and push the Nixa lead to 4-1. A sac fly and a Joplin error allowed two more runs to score.
Nixa added an unearned run in the sixth after Jaret Nelson doubled off the top of the concrete wall in right-center with two outs to score Retone, who reached on a dropped third strike that at-bat before.
Joplin’s offense had no problem getting runners on base, but did have shortcomings with RISP. JHS stranded the bases loaded in the first and third innings, while leaving five runners on base from the fourth inning on.
“We just have to do a better job of chipping away and putting a run up here or there and giving us a chance,” Wolf said. “I think, to some degree, we are pressing a little bit. Our guys are not making outs on purpose. They are trying to make plays, and sometimes it doesn’t work out. We may have to shake things up and do things a little differently to provide a little spark in the lineup.”
ON THE MOUND
Isaac Mitchell earned the win for Nixa after allowing one run on eight hits, five walks and five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Parker Bridges pitched 1 1/3 scoreless relief innings, allowing one hit and striking out two.
Ethan Guilford (6-1) suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering six runs, five earned, in two innings of work. He allowed two hits, walked four and struck out three.
“Ethan has been good for us all year and he will continue to be good for us,” Wolf said. “He had a bad inning in the second and that happens throughout the course of the season. There is no confidence lost in him on the mound.”
Fielding Campbell allowed one unearned run in five relief innings. He scattered three hits, struck out four and didn’t walk a batter.
“Fielding came in and did a tremendous job on the mound for us,” Wolf said. “He gave us every opportunity to come back in that game and to win it. … Him being able to go out and do what he did gave us an opportunity to save some guys for Carthage later this week. … That was a super job by him.”
IN THE BOX
Retone and Nelson each doubled and drove in two to lead Nixa. Retone also scored twice.
Carson Wampler tripled and had two hits in three at-bats to lead Joplin. Kirk Chandler went 2-for-4 with a walk.
UP NEXT
Joplin hosts Carthage at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
