NEVADA, Mo. — The Nevada Griffons rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn a 7-6 win over the Joplin Outlaws on Tuesday in MINK League summer collegiate baseball action at Lyons Stadium.
The Outlaws plated two runs in the first before the hosts took the lead with three runs in the fifth.
Joplin erupted for four runs in the top of the eighth, only to see the Griffons answer with two runs in the bottom half of the eighth and two more in the ninth.
In the final frame, Conner Culp walked with the bases loaded before Luke Piazza’s RBI single into left field gave Nevada a walk-off win.
Caleb Chance, Jason Schneider and Andrew Pickering all had three hits apiece for the Griffons, while Piazza added two hits.
Aaron Hassell was the winning pitcher, while Andrew Sumner took the loss.
Max Bruff and Garrett Chun recorded two hits apiece for the Outlaws, while Sam Fagan, Joe Ricchio, Jordan Sheridan and Carson Johnson had one hit apiece. Fagan drove in two runs for Joplin.
The Outlaws (4-6) are at Jefferson City on Wednesday night.
The Griffons (4-6) host Des Moines on Wednesday night.
Joplin kicked off a week full of baseball by rallying from a 4-0 deficit to defeat Jeff City 11-9 on Monday at Joe Becker Stadium in MINK League action.
The Renegades (3-4) led 4-0 after three innings before a five-run fourth inning fueled the Outlaws’ rally with Joplin leading 6-4. Joplin (4-5) added four runs in the sixth inning to push the lead to six and held off Jeff City for the win.
ON THE MOUND
Ethan Sally started and took the no-decision for Joplin after allowing four runs on five hits and three strikeouts in four innings of work. Michel Kinson earned the win in relief after allowing one run on three hits and two strikeouts in two innings. Cole White earned the save after striking out one and allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.
“Cole White, after two decent outings, was a different pitcher tonight at the end of the game,” first-year Joplin manager Gonzalo Gonzalez said. “He got after it and competed. He went out and made sure those guys were going to have to beat him. Kudos to him. We won because of him tonight.”
Ty Wilmsmeyer started for Jeff City and took a no-decision after allowing one run on two hits, a walk and three strikeouts in three innings of work. Brennan Perkins took the loss in relief after allowing five runs on one hit and three walks without recording an out in the fourth inning.
GAME ACTION
Jeff City struck first and didn’t need long to do it. Ross Lovich led off the game with a triple to the gap in right-center field before Coulton Doyle followed with an opposite-field double down the third-base line to plate a run and take the lead. Luc Fuller made it three straight hits that went for extra bases after he doubled home a run with a line drive to the corner in right before being thrown out trying to reach third.
The Renegades doubled their lead to 4-0 in the top of the third after scoring a pair of two-out runs on two hits and two Joplin errors. Doyle reached base with two outs on an error on the Outlaws before moving to third on a single by Fuller moved him to third. Doyle later scored on a wild pitch before Fuller was driven in on a single to left-center by T.J. Racherbaumer.
Joplin got on the board in the bottom of the third when Max Bruff drove home Caden Bressler, who reached base with a single to lead off the inning, to cut the lead to 4-1.
The Outlaws rallied in a big way in the bottom of the fourth, plating five runs to take their first lead of the game. Joplin scored its first run when Garrett Chun, who singled to kick off the inning, came around to score on a wild pitch to make the score 4-2. A second run came home when Korrey Siracusa drew a bases-loaded walk, the third straight free pass by Jeff City, to cut the lead to 4-3. After a pitching change, Bressler yanked a ball down the right-field line for a two-run double with the bases loaded to give the Outlaws a 5-4 advantage. Michael Long followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to push the lead to 6-4.
“I think the biggest thing today was getting a spark plug in the form of Garrett Chun,” Gonzalez said. “He joined us today from [Florida State College at Jacksonville] and made an immediate impact, not just with his bat but with his presence in the dugout, too. He is tough-nosed and it rubbed off on our guys today.”
Hunter Sherman, who singled to lead off the top of the fifth inning, cut the Outlaws’ lead to one after coming around to score later in the inning on a sac fly from Fuller to make the score 6-5.
Chun got the run back for the Outlaws in the next half inning when he launched a solo home run to right field to push the lead back to two, 7-5.
Joplin added insurance in the bottom of the sixth when Long tripled home two runs on a line drive to the gap in right-center before scoring on the play with the throw to third ending up out of play to make the score 10-5. The Outlaws distanced themselves further when a fourth run came home on a double steal for a six-run lead.
“The biggest thing was our approach at the plate has been great (against Jeff City the last two nights),” Gonzalez said. “Even last night when we lost the nail-biter, these guys are sticking to the plan and that is the biggest thing you can say about them. They are having great at-bats, and as a coach, there is nothing more that I could ask.”
Jeff City added a run in the top of the seventh after the first two batters reached via hit-by-pitch before a balk pushed a run across the plate. Two more runs came home on a Joplin throwing error with the bases loaded to trim the lead down to 11-8. After a second pitching change, Jeff City cut the lead to two with a bases-loaded walk. The Renegades grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Outlaws leading 11-9.
AT THE PLATE
Bressler had three hits, two RBI and scored twice, while Chun had two hits, an RBI and scored twice. Long had a hit, scored one and drove in three for Joplin.
Fuller had two hits, two RBI and scored twice to lead Jeff City at the plate.
ON DECK
Joplin (4-5) is on the road for a matchup at Nevada on Tuesday before traveling to Jeff City on Wednesday. The Outlaws return home in a rematch with Jeff City on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium before welcoming the Griffons on Friday.
Joplin left a handful of runners on early while St. Joseph made the most of its early RBI opportunities on the way to a 10-0 win in eight innings over the Outlaws in MINK League action on Monday at Joe Becker Stadium.
The Outlaws had the bases loaded in both the second and third innings but were unable to reach the scoreboard, stranding five runners in the process. The Mustangs made the most of their early run-scoring opportunities, plating two runs in the third, four more in the fourth and another in the fifth to build a 7-0 advantage. St. Joseph added two more runs in the sixth inning with two outs for a nine-run lead and pushed across a run in the eighth to end the scoring.
ON DECK
Joplin hits the road for five games in six days with a matchup at Nevada at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The Outlaws travel to Sedalia on Thursday before a two-game series at Chillicothe on Friday and Saturday before wrapping the week with a road game at Jefferson City on Sunday.
ON THE MOUND
Mason Holten earned the shortened complete-game win for St. Joe after pitching seven scoreless innings on four hits, eight strikeouts and four walks.
Jack Kelly took the loss for Joplin after allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits, a walk and four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.
GAME ACTION
After Joplin left the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning, St. Joe took the lead in the top of the third with a pair of runs touching the plate. The first run came home on a Joplin fielding error on a ball up the middle with runners on second and third without any outs, with Rob Butler picking up the second RBI with a sacrifice fly to right-center field for a 2-0 lead.
Joplin looked to answer back in the bottom half of the inning after loading the bases with one out for the second straight inning. Unfortunately, a 6-4-3 double play ball off the bat of Korrey Siracusa ended the threat and the inning.
The Mustangs went to work with the bats again after Joplin failed to cut into the lead with four more runs crossing home in the top of the fourth to push the lead to 6-0. Holton started the scoring with an RBI single to center with the runner in motion before Brady Holden singled to the opposite field in left to score a run and push the lead to 4-0. Jack Wagner followed with a double to the gap in left-center field to plate a run. Butler made it three straight hits that drove in a run with a single through the left side with a runner on second to wrap the scoring in the inning.
St. Joe’s seventh run came home in the fifth inning on an Outlaws’ throwing error and added two more in the sixth when Michael Paule came through with a two-out bases-loaded double to left-center to plate two more runs. Holten picked up an RBI in the eighth on a groundout with a runner on third to wrap the scoring.
The fight first-year Joplin coach Gonzalo Gonzalez saw from his Outlaws in the season opener on Thursday showed up once again in the second game of the season against Des Moines on Friday, but this time it resulted in the first win of the season in 10-4 fashion at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin Outlaws starting pitcher James Yamasaki delivers a pitch to the plate against the Des Moines Peak Prospects on Friday night at Joe Becker Stadium. Photos by Jason Peake.
The Outlaws trailed 3-1 after five innings before scoring three times in the sixth to take a 4-3 advantage. After the Peak Prospects knotted things up with a run in the top of the seventh, Joplin scored four times with two outs in the bottom of the frame to take control 8-4. Joplin added two insurance runs in the eighth.
“It just shows you that these guys have heart,” Gonzalez said after the win. “Our pitching came up clutch after (the middle innings). Our guys settled in and quit trying too hard and just let the game come to them. It allowed them to play loose.”
ON THE MOUND
James Yamasaki started and took a no-decision for Joplin after allowing two runs on one hit, four strikeouts, two walks and two hit-by-pitches in four-plus innings of work. Caden Bressler earned the win in relief.
Drew Conn started and took a no-decision for Des Moines after allowing three runs on five hits, nine strikeouts, and one walk in five-plus innings of work. Owen Brauch took the loss in relief.
GAME ACTION
Joplin broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning when Carson Carpenter got into scoring position with a one-out double down the first-base line. Max Bruff followed with an opposite-field double in the corner in right field to plate Carpenter for a 1-0 lead. The Prospects didn’t take long to respond, with the first two batters reaching after getting hit by pitches to chase Yamasaki from the game. Connor Peck entered in relief and hit his only two batters with pitches to force in the tying run. Casey Thibault entered as the second reliever in the inning and induced a double play that allowed the go-ahead run to score. Bryce Hall followed with an RBI single to center field for a 3-1 lead.
Joplin shortstop Liam Bailey fires a throw to first during Friday’s game with the Peak Prospects.
Joplin trimmed the lead down to one run in the top of the sixth when Cade Lott reached on an error, advancing to second when the throw from short reached the dugout. After Lott moved to third on a passed ball, he came around to score on an RBI groundout by Liam Bailey to make the score 3-2. Two batters later with runners on second and third, Michael Long singled up the middle to plate a pair of runs for a 4-3 lead.
“Over the last two nights, Mike has been one of the big bats for us,” Gonzalez said. “He does a great job fighting at the plate, especially with two strikes. When he gets a swing off early in the count, he is dangerous.” The Prospects tied the game up in the top of the seventh inning when Leighton Jenkins flared a ball to right field for a single that scored Kevin Javier, who led off the inning by drawing a walk.
Joplin used a two-out rally in the last of the seventh to regain the lead after Bailey singled through the left side to score Sam Fagan, who walked to lead off the frame, for a 5-4 advantage.
“For us, it was big for him to be able to come through with two outs,” Gonzalez said. “He was able to fight and make sure he wasn’t going to do too much, just passing the torch to the next guy. That was good baseball right there.”
Outlaws infielder Cade Lott attempts to turn a double play during Friday’s game at Joe Becker Stadium.
Bruff, who had three RBI in Thursday’s season opener, came up two batters later with the bases full of Outlaws and promptly smacked a ball to the opposite field deep in the gap to right-center field to clear the bases while pushing the lead to 8-4 for his seventh RBI in two games.
“He is just a tough out, man,” Gonzalez said of Bruff’s approach at the plate over the first two games. “He really is. With two strikes, he probably has the best approach on the team. He wides out, chokes up and puts it together for a good team at-bat every time. He is keeping us in games and hopefully he keeps it going.”
“At his school in Wisconsin, they said he was known for pulling the ball,” Gonzalez added about Bruff’s opposite-field approach. “To see him going the opposite way with a wood bat is awesome for us.”
Fagan added a solo home run and Carpenter added an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to make the score 10-4.
ON DECK
Joplin is back in action against Des Moines with a 7 p.m. matchup on Saturday at Joe Becker Stadium.
The 2022 MINK League baseball season officially kicked off Thursday with Joplin hosting Nevada at Joe Becker Stadium.
After five scoreless frames, the Griffons broke through for five runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a commanding lead. Joplin added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth with the long ball. The Outlaws rallied for two runs in the bottom of the eight to cut the lead to one and had the tying and winning run in scoring position in the ninth before the final out was made.
“I am definitely excited for this season,” first-year Joplin manager Gonzalo Gonzalez said after the game. “It didn’t go our way in the end, but the main takeaway is these boys have a lot of fight. They didn’t give away at-bats behind in the count and did a really good job late in the game of fighting with two strikes to give ourselves a chance to win.”
Joplin Outlaws starting pitcher Edrian Rangel delivers to home plate in the season opener against Nevada on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
ON THE MOUND
Jonah Sarabia earned the win on the bump for Nevada after allowing two runs on four hits, three walks and six strikeouts in six innings of work.
Edrian Rangel took the loss for Joplin after allowing three runs on five hits, seven strikeouts and a hit-by-pitch in 5 1/3 innings.
GAME ACTION
Nevada was the first team to threaten after a single from Jason Schneider was followed by a double to right field by Seth Gray to put runners at second and third with one out in the third inning. Rangel followed with a pair of punchouts to get out of the jam without allowing a run.
The Griffons again threatened in the top of the sixth inning after loading the bases with no outs on an error, a hit-by-pitch and a single from Schneider through the right side. After Rangel struck out Gray for the first out in the inning, Andrew Sumner came on in relief. Nevada used an RBI groundout from Houston Vogelstrom followed by a two-run single up the middle from Andrew Peckering to push the lead to 3-0.
Joplin High School product Kohl Cooper came in as the second reliever in the inning, with the Griffons adding a run on a wild pitch to push the lead to 4-0. Connor Culp added an RBI with a single up the middle to extend the lead to 5-0.
“We need to come out of the bullpen and not pitch scared,” Gonzalez said of the fifth inning. “Being able to rise to the challenge, taking the ball and running with it. That was difference from the middle of that game and the end of that game. The guys who came in late made sure they were getting ahead with first-pitch strikes. If we can do that early and find our groove with our pitching staff and bullpen, I think we are going to be a hard team to beat.”
Joplin Outlaws’ Max Bruff homers to right field in the sixth inning during the season opener against Nevada on Thursday. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
Joplin got into the scoring column in the bottom of the inning when Max Bruff ripped a ball over the wall in right with a runner on for a two-run home run to trim the lead to 5-2.
“That was a shot in the arm for us,” Gonzalez said of Bruff’s home run. “Especially after giving up five runs right there. Being able to answer and put up a zero was huge. Without that, I don’t think we would have gotten back in the game.”
Bruff came through again for the Outlaws in the bottom of the eighth when he singled with runners on first and third with two outs to pick up an RBI and trim the lead down to 5-3. Korrey Siracusa came through with an infield hit in the hole at short two batters later with the bases loaded to plate a run, but the third out of the inning came when the runner rounding third was caught in a rundown and tagged out at home to end the rally with the score settling at 5-4.
Joplin put the rally caps on once again in the bottom of the ninth after a hit-by-pitch and a single from Caden Bressler put runners on first and second, with a sacrifice bunt from Sam Fagan moving both runners into scoring position with one out. A groundout to second with the infield in and a flyout ended the threat and the game.
ON DECK
Joplin hosts Des Moines at 7 p.m. on Friday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
SEDALIA, Mo. — The season for the Joplin Outlaws officially came to a close after a 9-3 loss to the Sedalia Bombers in the MINK League South Championship on Tuesday.
After three scoreless innings, Joplin landed the first blow with a run touching home in the top of the fourth inning. Sedalia answered right back with a single tally in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game before stealing the momentum for good with a six-run fifth inning to move in front 7-1. The Bombers added two more runs in the sixth on the way to the win. Joplin added a run in the eighth and ninth innings.
Sedalia moves on to play Clarinda in the MINK League Championship three-game set that starts on Thursday.
The Outlaws finish the season with a 19-22 record, with a second-place standing in the South Division in Chris Dawson’s first year as manager.
Jake McMahill started and earned the win for Sedalia after allowing one unearned run on five hits, a walk and six strikeouts in six innings.
Jake Algee took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
The six-run fifth for the Bombers (21-17) was highlighted by a three-run homer for Gideon Antel, who finished the game with three RBI and two runs scored. Kellen Williamson had three hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
Brandon Ulmer had a hit and an RBI to lead Joplin, while Drake Angeron had a hit and scored a run. Brett Wiemers and Jared Toler each had two hits and scored a run.
Joplin has seen its fair share of come-from-behind victories this season but none were bigger than what transpired Monday night against Jefferson City.
Trailing 3-2 heading into the last of the eighth inning, the Outlaws rallied for three runs to keep their season alive, defeating the Renegades 5-3 in the MINK League wild card game at Joe Becker Stadium.
“(The resilience) is always there,” first-year Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “They don’t want to quit. At the end of the day they say, because it’s at the end of the summer, it would be nice to go home, but you walk in here at seven o’clock and you see people in the stands and it’s go time. They are going to put their best foot forward and do what they need to do to try and win a ball game.”
ON THE MOUND
Joplin’s Christian DeJesus, who tied the Outlaws’ single-season strikeout record at 53, delivers a strike to home in the win over Jeff City on Monday. Photo by Israel Perez.
Christian DeJesus earned the start for Joplin and took a no-decision after allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits, zero walks and seven significant strikeouts. Missouri Southern’s Cale McCallister didn’t allow a run in 1 2/3 relief innings, walking one. John Kea earned the win in relief after allowing one run on two walks and a strikeout. Justin Schrader earned the save with a hit and two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.
“I think I have said all of the good things I can say about this staff all summer long,” Dawson said. “Other than the one random game, everyone in our freaking bullpen steps up for us. … It just shows you the depth we’ve had.”
Austin Brewer earned the start for Jefferson City and took a no-decision after allowing two runs on three hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in six innings. Deejay Seelbach took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in one relief inning. Kolin Demel allowed one run on one hit, two walks and three strikeouts in one relief inning.
IN THE HISTORY BOOKS
DeJesus tied the single-season strikeout record for the Outlaws in the win over Jeff City. DeJesus struck out Demel in the top of the fifth for his 53rd punch-out of the season.
“The stuff has been nails all summer long,” Dawson said. “That is huge. That is one of two records we have been able to break or tie. When it is an individual record like that, you are just happy for the kid. He works his butt off. He shows up every day and is ready to pitch for us whenever his number is called.”
GAME ACTION
Joplin’s Caden Bressler throws to first for a putout in the Outlaws’ wild card win over Jeff City on Monday at Joe Becker Stadium. Photo by Israel Perez.
Joplin got on the scoreboard quickly to take the initial advantage after crossing home twice in the bottom of the first inning. Ethan Ellis put the Outlaws on the board with an RBI single to score Drake Angeron, who singled to lead off the inning, before a double steal with runners on first and third culminated in Caleb Feuerstake swiping home to push the lead to 2-0.
After a leadoff single from Brady Voss to start the top of the fourth inning for Jeff City, Carter Mize singled through the right side. Voss attempted to take third on the single by Mize, with the throw from the outfield ending up in the Outlaws’ dugout to allow Voss to score and Mize to move to third with no outs in the frame. Jeff City tied the game up at 2-2 shortly after when Hamilton Anderson doubled down the line to right with one out to plate Mize.
The Renegades pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth when Mize, who walked with two outs, went to second on a wild pitch. He advanced to third on another wild pitch, with the throw from the plate to third heading into left field, allowing him to score and give Jeff City a 3-2 advantage.
The Outlaws roared back in the bottom of the eighth. Angeron led off the inning with a single before stealing second. Feuerstake followed with an RBI single to right-center to plate Angeron and tie the game at 3-3 and moved to second on the throw to the cutoff.
Feuerstake stole third in the next at-bat, which was followed by a Jeb Jenkins walk, who immediately stole second to put runners on second and third with no outs. Ellis followed with an RBI double to right-center to plate two runs, giving Joplin a 5-3 advantage.
“I knew he was throwing a lot of fastballs, so I went up there expecting it,” Ellis said. “It was probably going to be a little up in the zone. I got a fastball middle-away in the zone and took it the other way. It felt amazing.”
“This one meant a lot,” Ellis added about the win. “This team never quits. Whether it’s the first inning, fifth inning or ninth inning, we are always going to be there and we are always going to be competing.”
“For our offense to come back, Drake Angeron started it off, getting the base hit and stealing second. Then Caleb coming through, and Caleb has been swinging it well the last two weeks. Jeb was able to get the walk and was smart to take second base. And I don’t know if anyone has paid attention, but Ethan Ellis has been on a different planet for the last couple of weeks. It was good for him to be up in that situation and hit that line drive.”
Joplin’s Ethan Ellis dives back to first on a throw over during the Outlaws’ win over Jeff City on Monday. Photo by Israel Perez.
IN THE BOX
Ellis led the Outlaws with two hits, including a double, and a team-high three RBI, while Feuerstake doubled in one of his two hits, scored twice and drove in one. Angeron had two hits and scored two runs.
Anderson led the Renegades with two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Mize doubled and scored twice.
UP NEXT
Joplin travels to Sedalia to play the South Division champion Bombers (20-17) in the MINK League divisional round of the playoffs at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
“We’ve played Sedalia well all year long,” Dawson said. “We’ve split with them four games to four games. It’s going to be a grind. They are going to have their dude on the mound and we are going to have one of our dudes on the mound. It is just going to be a fun game and a fun atmosphere. Hopefully we can be on the right side of it.”
A three-run eighth inning led the Jefferson City Renegades to a 5-2 win over the Joplin Outlaws on Friday night in MINK League action at Vivion Field.
The game was deadlocked at two when Jefferson City’s Hamilton Anderson hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The visitors failed to score in the ninth.
The Outlaws are now 17-21, while the Renegades are 16-18.
The Renegades took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Carter Mize’s RBI double.
Joplin tied it up in the second when Cam Pfafman delivered an RBI single.
The Outlaws took the lead in the fifth, as Brett Wiemers scored on an Ethan Ellis RBI single.
Jefferson City’s Josef Keilholz homered in the seventh to tie the game at 2-2.
Jared Toler, Pfafman, Wiemers and Ellis recorded two hits apiece for the Outlaws.
Caden Bressler took the loss after allowing three runs in four innings.
Jefferson City’s Tony Neubeck earned the win after tossing four scoreless innings in relief. He struck out six and scattered four hits.
The Outlaws take on the Renegades again at 7 on Saturday night in the regular season finale. Saturday’s winner will earn the No. 2 seed in the South Division and will host the loser in a wild-card playoff game on Monday night.
SEDALIA, Mo. — Ethan Ellis hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Joplin Outlaws to a 6-4 come-from-behind victory over the Sedalia Bombers on Thursday night in MINK League action at Liberty Park Stadium.
The Outlaws hiked their record to 17-20 with the win, while the Bombers are now 20-17.
Joplin trailed 4-3 after eight innings, but the visitors plated three runs in the ninth. Drake Angeron singled and later scored on Caleb Feuerstake’s game-tying RBI double.
Ellis then smacked a two-run home run to left-center that ended up the game-winner, as the hosts failed to score in the bottom half of the ninth.
Feuerstake went 3-for-4 with two runs scored to lead the Outlaws’ 12-hit attack.
Angeron and Ellis added two hits apiece. Angeron homered and drove in two runs. Logan Cline had one RBI, while Cade Lott scored one run.
Justin Schrader was the winning pitcher. He went 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs while striking out four.
Jake Algee picked up the save by tossing a scoreless ninth. John Kea started and went 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out five.
Sedalia’s Daniel Juarez took the loss after allowing three runs in the ninth.
The Bombers, who have already clinched the South Division championship, hit three home runs, one apiece by Brandon Stahlman, Jacob McWhirter and Parker Serio.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Outlaws play at Jefferson City at 7 on Friday night.
The Joplin Outlaws avoided a regular season sweep at the hands of the Nevada Griffons by earning an 8-0 MINK League win over their South Division rival on Thursday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
The Griffons entered the night 7-0 against the Outlaws this summer.
“We finally got them and I’ll take it,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “It was a fun game. It was nice to finally get those guys. They had our number all summer. We were able to jump on them early and that’s what I talked about in the locker room before the game. We wanted to jump on them early and we were able to do that.”
The Outlaws, 3-7 in their last 10, are now 13-16, good for third place in the South Division.
“Hopefully with this game we can turn it around,” Dawson said. “We’ve had a tough two weeks. I’m just glad I can leave the ballpark happy tonight. It was a good win all around.”
As far as the rest of the South standings, Sedalia is 16-15 and in first place, while second place Nevada is now 14-16 and fourth place Jefferson City is 13-18.
In the final regular season meeting between the teams, the Outlaws took an early lead and never relinquished it.
Ethan Ellis delivered a two-run single to left in the bottom of the first inning, scoring Brett Wiemers and Caleb Feuerstake.
The Griffons threatened in the third. With two on and two out, Nevada’s Braeden Hinton lifted a high fly ball to deep left, but Ellis made a leaping catch at the fence to end the threat.
“That was huge,” Dawson said. “That was a great play and gave us momentum. It was just a great catch.”
The Outlaws extended their lead in the bottom of the third, as a three-run double to left off the bat of Jeb Jenkins gave the hosts a five-run cushion.
The visitors threatened in the seventh, but the Outlaws turned an inning-ending double play.
Joplin added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom half of the seventh. Jared Toler scored from third on a wild pitch before Ethan Lopez contributed a run-scoring single to right to make it 7-0.
In the eighth, Caleb Feuerstake charged home on a wild pitch for the final margin.
The Outlaws recorded 13 hits, with seven players contributing. Jenkins and Feuerstake had three hits apiece, while Wiemers and Logan Cline contributed two hits apiece.
The Griffons were limited to three hits by three Joplin pitchers.
Right-hander Gavin Heltemes started for the Outlaws and tossed four scoreless innings, striking out five and scattering three hits to earn the win.
“That’s been Gavin all summer for us,” Dawson said Heltemes, who plays for Georgia Gwinnett College. “We were finally able to get him a start. He gave us four strong and four zeroes, and that was huge. Anytime he’s on the bump we have faith we’ll at least be in the ballgame or have a chance to win it.”
Zach Hill pitched three innings in relief, while Ward Richardson went the final two innings.
Nevada’s Will Jacobson took the loss. The lefty allowed five earned runs on seven hits in four innings.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Joplin hosts the Clarinda A’s at 7 on Friday night. The two teams will play again on Saturday night.
Currently on a 10-game winning streak, Clarinda owns the best record in the MINK League, as the North Division leading A’s are 26-3.
Joplin built an early 4-2 lead before Jefferson City scored six times in the sixth inning and held off the Outlaws late for an 8-6 MINK League South Division win on Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
The game was scoreless after three innings until the Renegades plated two runs in the fourth to take the initial advantage. Joplin answered back with a three-run fourth inning and another run in the fifth to go up 4-2. Jefferson City touched home six times in the sixth inning to steal the momentum. The Outlaws scored twice in the ninth inning to trim the lead to two and had the winning run at the plate, but the Renegades staved off Joplin for the win.
DIVISION RACE
With the loss, Joplin falls to 12-16 and sits in fourth place in the South Division. Sedalia (16-15) is in first, with Nevada (14-45) in second and Jefferson City (13-16) in third.
ON THE MOUND
Jeff City’s Dylan Dunbar started and took a no-decision after allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits, a walk and three strikeouts in four innings. Shane Fontenot earned the win in relief after pitching four scoreless frames, not allowing a hit while walking one and striking out three. Kolin Demel allowed two runs on three hits and three strikeouts in one relief inning.
Carl Junction native and Missouri Southern Lion Jeremiah Kennedy started for Joplin and took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits and three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Clayton Saporito allowed two runs on one hit and two walks in 1/3 of an inning in relief. Christian DeJesus pitched 1 1/3 scoreless relief innings on a walk and two strikeouts. Justin Schrader pitched two scoreless innings in relief and struck out five.
GAME ACTION
After three scoreless innings, Jefferson City used two-out magic to take the lead when Tommy Ruether singled to left-center with runners on second and third to score both and give the Renegades a 2-0 advantage.
The Outlaws rallied back in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead. With runners at first and third and no outs. Caleb Feuerstake, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, scored from third after the throw to second on a stolen base attempt by Logan Cline ended up in center field to make the score 2-1. Cline, who reached on an error, came around to score on an RBI single from Ethan Ellis to tie the game at 2-2. Ellis scored later in the inning on a fielder’s choice groundout from Cade Lott to give Joplin the lead.
Brett Wiemers led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a single before coming around to score an insurance run later in the frame on an RBI groundout by Cline to push the Outlaws’ lead to 4-2.
Jefferson City responded in the top of the sixth when Drew Mize led off with a double before scoring on a David Dell single to trim the deficit to 4-3. Brady Voss connected for a one-out ground rule double later in the inning to plate Dell and tie the game at 4s while forcing Kennedy from the game. The Renegades took the lead later in the inning when Caden Diel drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run. Voss scored on a wild pitch moments later with the bases still loaded to push the lead to 6-4. Josef Keilholz doubled to right to plate two more runs and push the lead to 8-4.
Joplin loaded the bases with one out in the last of the ninth and clawed within two of the lead following a two-out, two-run single off the bat of Jared Toler to make the score 8-6. The rally ended there as a strikeout in the next at-bat ended the game.
IN THE BOX
Ruether, Voss and Keilholz each had two hits to lead Jefferson City. Ruether and Keilholz, who doubled twice, each drove in two and scored one, while Voss, who had a double, finished with an RBI and a run scored.
Wiemers and Toler collected three hits each, with Wiemers scoring twice and Toler driving in two to lead Joplin. Feuerstake had two hits and two runs scored, while Ellis had two hits, scored a run and drove in one.
UP NEXT
Joplin hosts Nevada at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium.
NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada jumped out to an early three-run lead and held off Joplin late for a 4-3 win on Tuesday.
The Griffons and Outlaws took a scoreless game into the third inning when Nevada plated three runs to take the advantage. Joplin cut into the lead in the sixth inning with two runs touching home before the Griffons answered back in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 4-2. The Outlaws rallied with a run in the eighth but couldn’t push the tying run across before the final out.
With the win, Nevada improves to 14-15 and is in a tie for first place in the South Division standings with Sedalia (14-45). Jefferson City is tied with Joplin for third place with a 12-15 record.
Nevada’s Cameron Saso highlighted the three-run third inning with an RBI single to score Matthew Leong. Kahle Good and Jack Swisher also touched home in the inning.
Joplin’s Caleb Feuerstake tripled home Brett Wiemers to get the Outlaws on the board in the sixth inning. Ethan Ellis added a single later in the inning to score Feuerstake and trim Joplin’s deficit to 3-2.
Braeden Hinton scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to 4-2.
In the last of the eighth with two on and two out, Brandon Ulmer singled home Feuerstake, but Ellis was thrown out at the plate to preserve the lead for Nevada.
Richard Kiel started and earned the win for Nevada after allowing three runs on six hits, one walk and eight strikeouts in eight innings. Sebastian Kirchner earned the save after striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.
Reese Weaks took the loss for Joplin after giving up three runs on four hits, four walks and one strikeout in three innings. Masayuki Maruhashi allowed one run in three innings. He walked four, struck out one and didn’t allow a hit. Austin Gottula pitched two scoreless innings on two hits, a walk and a strikeout.
Good and Hinton each had two hits to lead Nevada at the plate. Good scored a run and drove in one. Leong doubled, scored a run and drove in one.
Ellis led Joplin with two hits and an RBI. Feuerstake tripled, scored twice and drove in one. Wiemers had a hit and scored a run. Ulmer had a hit and drove in one.
Joplin hosts Jefferson City at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
Nevada scored a run in each of the first three innings on the way to a 4-0 win over Joplin in MINK League South Division action on Monday at Joe Becker Stadium.
With the loss, the Outlaws fall to 12-14 on the season while the Griffons improve to 13-15. The Sedalia Bombers lead the South Division with a 14-15 record with Nevada and Joplin both a half game back. Jefferson City is in fourth place with a 12-15 record.
Joplin starting pitcher Steen Lane, a Missouri Southern Lion, delivers a pitch to the plate during Monday’s game with the Nevada Griffons.
“Another game,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “We outhit them. … You just have these teams. We found more barrels, hit balls harder but they just didn’t fall today. If we limit traffic in the first three innings things could have been different. Who knows. We will get these guys eventually.”
Joplin outhit Nevada 6-4, but couldn’t string anything together to push a run across. The advantage came in the form of free passes, with the Griffons drawing six walks and three hit-by-pitches compared to the Outlaws’ two walks drawn.
“You have to limit traffic,” Dawson said. “That is all we can do. You can’t give them free bags. … I can’t be mad at our guys tonight. They had good approaches at the plate and barreled baseballs. I couldn’t ask for anything more. It is just one of those days.”
ON THE MOUND
Missouri Southern Lion Chase Beiter started on the mound for the Nevada Griffons on Monday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Chase Beiter, a Missouri Southern Lion, started for Nevada and earned the win after pitching six shutout innings, scattering four hits, walking two and striking out four. Steve Marhefke pitched three scoreless relief innings on two hits and two strikeouts.
Steen Lane, a Missouri Southern Lion, started and took the loss for Joplin after allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits, three walks and four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. John Kea allowed one run on one hit, two walks and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 relief innings. Gavin Heltemes allowed one hit and struck out one in one relief inning, while Jake Algee struck out two and walked one in a scoreless frame.
GAME ACTION
The Griffons went to work in the top of the first inning, loading the bases with one out after two hit-by-pitches sandwiched around a walk. Matthew Leong’s fielder’s choice groundout brought home Kahle Good for a 1-0 advantage. Lane got out of the jam with a strikeout to only allow the one run.
Nevada’s Cameron Saso worked a one-out walk in the top of the second and later came around to score on a wild pitch to push the Griffons’ lead to 2-0.
Saso extended the lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning with a two-out RBI single to plate Tyler Davis.
Good walked and moved to second on an error to start the top of the seventh before advancing to third on a stolen base. Jesse Fonteboa brought him home in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly to left to make the score 4-0.
IN THE BOX
Leong had one hit and an RBI, while Saso had a hit, scored a run, drove in one and walked once to lead Nevada.
Jared Toler and Calen Protaskey each had two hits to lead the Outlaws.
UP NEXT
Joplin travels to Nevada for a 7 p.m. matchup on Tuesday.
“You just have to plug away,” Dawson said. “From here on out, it’s just finding a way.”
Joplin jumped out to a multi-run lead before Sedalia battled back in the middle innings on the way to a 9-5 win in MINK League South Division play on Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
The Outlaws (11-11), still in first place in the division standings, trailed 1-0 before crossing home three times in the third inning on a home run ball to take a two-run advantage. The Bombers (12-13) cut into the lead with a run in the top of the fourth before Joplin scored twice in the bottom half to push the lead out to 5-3. A five-run sixth inning gave Sedalia the lead and the momentum, as the Bombers added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth to seal the win.
“They just capitalized on every mistake whether it was an error or a walk,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “They capitalized when they were supposed to and we kind of let our foot off the gas when we scored five in the middle innings. After yesterday, this one kind of stings but we have to move on.”
ON THE MOUND
Jake McMahill started and earned the win for Sedalia after allowing five runs on seven hits, a walk and five strikeouts in six innings. Tucker Nunnenkamp pitched two innings in relief and didn’t allow a run on two hits. Conner Wolf worked a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit.
John Kea started and took a no-decision for the Outlaws after allowing five runs on five hits, two walks and five strikeouts in five innings. Clayton Saporito took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts in two innings. Jake Algee allowed one run on one hit and two walks, with a strikeout, in one relief inning.
GAME ACTION
Sedalia reached the scoreboard first, plating a run in the top of the second inning when Braden DeSoria doubled with two outs and was driven in on a single from Zack Dillman in the next at-bat.
With runners on first and third and one out in the bottom of the third, Joplin’s Brett Wiemers fell down in an 0-2 hole before launching a ball over the wall in left field for a three-run homer to put the Outlaws on top 3-1.
“That is something we do well—we battle,” Dawson said. “Brett just kept getting pitches in the zone and kept fouling them off until he got a pitch he could handle. It was a good at-bat by him.”
Sedalia cut into the Outlaw lead in the top of the fourth when DeSoria came up with a two-out single to plate Gideon Antel to make the score 3-2.
Joplin added insurance in the bottom half of the inning, getting the run surrendered in the top half back when Brandon Ulmer tripled to right-center to score a run and push the lead to 4-2. Drake Angeron singled to right two batters later to plate Ulmer for a 5-2 lead.
“We have to take the positives out of it,” Dawson said. “With our pitching staff, five runs would normally do the job. We just had one bad inning—the sixth inning. Things happen. That’s baseball. We have to be able to find a way to rebound. … It just didn’t happen tonight.”
The Bombers tied the game up at 5-5 up in the top of the sixth when Braden McGinnis hit a three-run bomb with two on and no outs. Zack Dillman singled home a run later in the inning to put Sedalia on top 6-5. Duffin Makings added an RBI on a groundout to wrap the scoring in the inning with the Bombers in front 7-5.
DeSoria added a sac fly in the top of the seventh for insurance, extending Sedalia’s lead to 8-5. The Bombers added an unearned run in the eighth to make it a four-run cushion.
IN THE BOX
McGinnis homered and finished with three RBI and a run scored, while Spencer Nivens had three hits and scored twice. DeSoria doubled, had two RBI and scored two runs to highlight Sedalia’s night at the plate.
Wiemers homered and had a team-high three RBI while scoring a run. Ulmer led Joplin with four hits, including a triple, scored twice and drove in one. Angeron doubled, scored a run and drove in one.
UP NEXT
The Outlaws have the day off from MINK League play on Thursday, as the league’s all-star game will take place in Jefferson City. Pitchers Jack O’Brien, Justin Schrader, Christian DeJesus as well as infielder Logan Cline and outfielder Drake Angeron will represent Joplin in the Summer Classic. The Outlaws are back in action on Friday when Joplin travels to Nevada for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Griffons.
Joplin rallied multiple times en route to a 9-7 win over Jefferson City to climb back on top of the MINK League South Division standings on Tuesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
After the Renegades scored a run in the top of the first, the Outlaws rallied with a two-run bottom half of the inning thanks to a home run ball to get out in front. Jeff City added a single tally in the top of the fourth to tie the game, but a two-run fifth gave Joplin a 4-2 advantage. An error with two outs by Joplin in the top of the sixth allowed Jeff City to score five unanswered runs, but the Outlaws rallied again with a three-run sixth to tie the game at 7-7 before scoring twice more with two outs in the seventh to go ahead 9-7.
“After the way things went down the last couple of nights, this win was huge,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said. “I am going to get asked who the standout player was and I don’t know who to answer. This was a total team effort tonight. … Games like this can really turn a season around. So, hopefully, that is the case.”
SOUTH DIVISION UPDATE
With the win, the Outlaws moved back into the top spot in the division race with an 11-10 record. Jeff City is in second at 12-13. Sedalia is in third at 11-13 and Nevada is in fourth at 10-15
SUMMER CLASSIC
Joplin will be well represented at the MINK League All-Star Game, with five Outlaws earning recognition—pitchers Jack O’Brien, Justin Schrader, Christian DeJesus as well as infielder Logan Cline and outfielder Drake Angeron. The all-star game will be held in Jeff City on July 8.
“Hats off to those guys,” Dawson said about the all-star nominations. “We got to see Schrader last night and what he brings. You got to see Jack O’Brien and Christian DeJesus tonight and what they bring to this team. Logan Cline has been the rock of this lineup since Day 1. … Jake had a good start. He slowed down a little but he is getting back into it. Those five guys are all deserving and I am proud of all of them.”
ON THE MOUND
Masayuki Maruhashi earned the start and took a no-decision for the Outlaws after allowing two runs on two hits, five walks and five strikeouts in three innings. Austin Gottula gave up five unearned runs in 2.2 relief innings, allowing one hit, walking four and striking out one. DeJesus earned the win in relief after blanking the Renegades over 1 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and a walk while striking out two. O’Brien pitched a scoreless inning and struck out one, while Reese Weaks earned the save after allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Braydon Boyer started and took a no-decision for the Renegades after allowing four runs on five hits, two walks and four strikeouts in five innings. Shane Fontenot took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts in two relief innings.
GAME ACTION
Jeff City took the initial lead in the top of the first inning when David Dell crossed home on a groundout by Carter Mize, but the Outlaws wasted little time answering back in the bottom half of the frame. After Logan Cline singled to lead off the bottom of the first, Caleb Feuerstake ripped a one-out, two-run homer two batters later to put Joplin on top 2-1.
The Renegades tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the fourth after a run scored on a 5-3 double play.
Joplin rallied in the last of the fifth when Feuerstake singled home a run to give the Outlaws a 3-2 lead. Ethan Ellis followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to plate the second run of the inning, increasing the lead to 4-2.
Jeff City seemingly turned the tide after taking advantage of a crucial error by the Outlaws, who had two in the frame, in the sixth inning. On what looked to be an inning-ending 4-3 groundout with runners on second and third, the putout toss was dropped at first to allow an unearned run to score and cut the lead to 4-3. Two batters later with the bases loaded, Mize deposited the ball over the wall for a grand slam to put the Renegades in front 7-4.
Joplin refused to go away, as Brett Wiemers walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth before coming around to score on a Jeff City throwing error following a single from Brandon Ulmer to make the score 7-5. The Outlaws loaded the bases later in the inning with no outs and Logan Cline flew out to deep right for a sac fly to trim the margin to 7-6. Two batters later with the bases loaded again, Ellis reached on an infield hit to plate the tying run.
“That was probably the biggest inning of baseball we’ve had all summer,” Dawson said. “As soon as the top half of that inning ended, I pulled the offense over and told them we have been in scoring position all game long. They haven’t kept us off the bases, we’ve had our chances, we just have to keep it going and break through. They decided to respond right away. Top to bottom, the offense did amazing tonight.”
Joplin took the lead in the last of the seventh when Ethan Lopez, who fell in an 0-2 hole, worked the count full before singling to left field with two outs to plate Wiemers, who singled to lead off the inning, to make the score 8-7. Lopez came around to score on a wild pitch later in the inning to push the lead to 9-7.
“That was the biggest at-bat of the night,” Dawson said of Lopez’s plate appearance in the seventh. “Not in a negative way or anything, but he was a pest. Just a gnat at a barbeque that you can’t get rid of in that at-bat. It was awesome to see. I think it was an 11-pitch at-bat and it was just fastball after fastball. Ethan kept doing what he does and finally was able to time up the pitch and put it where he needed to. That was the biggest at-bat of the game by far, probably the biggest at-bat of the summer so far.”
IN THE BOX
Feuerstake led Joplin with three hits, including a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Wiemers had two hits and scored twice, while Ellis picked up two RBI on one hit. Cline had a hit, scored twice and drove in one.
Mize had a grand slam for one of his two hits and finished with a game-high five RBI as well as a run scored to lead the Renegades.
UP NEXT
Joplin hosts Sedalia for a 7 p.m. matchup on Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
The Joplin Outlaws rallied late but ultimately fell short in a 4-3 loss in 10 innings to the Nevada Griffons on Monday in MINK League South Division action at Joe Becker Stadium.
The Outlaws got the scoring starting in the first inning with a solo home run before the Griffons scored three runs in the fourth inning to take their first lead of the contest. Joplin rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game. In the top of the 10th, Nevada loaded the bases with one out after a walk and two close calls at first on infield hits before pushing across the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly from Matthew Leong.
“It was tough,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said of the loss. “We did a good job of battling back. The kids made a couple of mental mistakes, but they battled back. To have those two calls in the 10th was tough. Can’t do anything about it, but it was tough.”
ON THE MOUND
Richard Kiel earned the no-decision for the Griffons after limiting Joplin to three runs over seven innings, scattering five hits, walking two and striking out five. Sebastian Kirchner struck out four over two scoreless relief innings to earn the win and Cameron Saso earned the save with two strikeouts in a scoreless 10th inning.
Webb City native Cale McCallister earned the start and took a no-decision for the Outlaws after allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits, two walks and four strikeouts in four innings of work. Gavin Heltemes pitched three scoreless innings of relief on one hit, two walks and a strikeout. Justin Schrader took the loss after allowing one run on two hits, a walk and six strikeouts in three innings of relief work.
DIVISION GLANCE
Jeff City now leads the MINK League South Division with a 13-10 record, with the Outlaws in second at 10-10. Nevada sits in third at 10-14, while Sedalia is in fourth at 10-13.
GAME ACTION
The Outlaws jumped out in front early when Logan Cline deposited an 0-1 pitch over the wall for a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the first inning to give Joplin a 1-0 advantage.
“Logan’s home run was huge,” Dawson said. “We have been trying to get a first-inning run for a while. For him to get into that ball, I thought it was going to energize our guys. It did, we just couldn’t get anything going in the middle innings.”
Nevada had on eyes on tying the game in the top of the third inning after loading the bases with no outs. McCallister had other plans, getting a ground ball back to himself for a force at home before inducing a 6-4-3 double play in the next at-bat to end the threat without allowing a run.
The Griffons again loaded the bases with one out in the fourth, but this time Nevada cashed in on its opportunity. Chase Beiter brought the first run home after reaching on an error following a fly ball to center field to tie the game. Saso followed with an RBI single to give Nevada a 2-1 advantage and Jack Swisher added an RBI on a sacrifice fly to left to push the lead to 3-1.
The Outlaws cut the deficit to one in the last of the seventh when Jared Toler led off the inning with a solo home run. Cam Pfafman doubled in the next at-bat before moving to third on a groundout by Lott. Jeb Jenkins tied the game up shortly after with a shallow single to center to plate Pfafman and tie the game at 3-3.
“Toler was able to get the barrel on one and hit it out, and that is something we have been waiting to see,” Dawson said. “That was good to see. Cam had the double and we had the right guy up to tie it. It was a good inning.”
Nevada loaded the bases with one out in the top of the 10th following a walk and two infield hits, both of which were close calls at first. The Griffons took the lead on a sacrifice fly to deep right by Matthew Leong to break the tie at 4-3.
IN THE BOX
Tyler Davis led Nevada with two hits and a run scored, while Swisher, Leong and Saso each had one hit and one RBI. Leong also scored a run.
Cline and Toler each homered, scored a run and drove in one, while Pfafman doubled and scored to lead the Outlaws at the plate.
UP NEXT
Joplin hosts the Jeff City Renegades at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
“It’s just next-pitch mentality,” Dawson said about bouncing back. “It would have been nice to come away with a W, but we have another big one tomorrow against Jeff City.”
You couldn’t have scripted a better Canada Day for Waterdown, Ontario, native Caleb Feuerstake, who drove in the game-tying run in the sixth inning and followed with a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning to lift the Joplin Outlaws past the Sedalia Bombers 4-2 on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium.
“This is great,” Feuerstake, who was a late arrival to the Outlaws, said when asked about his time in Joplin. “The guys are really tight knit and everyone is getting along well. Our chemistry is great and that’s the thing because I don’t think I have ever been on a team with as good of chemistry. I have never played summer ball in America, so I don’t know if this is how it always is but the guys are loving each other in the clubhouse and the dugout. We are all just rooting for each other and it’s just really good bonding.”
In a matchup between two of the top teams in the MINK League South Division, Sedalia (10-10) took the lead with a run in the second inning before Joplin answered with a single tally in the third to tie the game at 1-1. After the Bombers scored a run in the fifth to take the lead back, Joplin, which scored all of its runs with two outs, answered in the sixth on Feuerstake’s first RBI double to tie the game at 2s. With a pair of runners on in the eighth and two outs, Feuerstake delivered the final blow with a ball to the alley to give the Outlaws the momentum permanently.
“He has a good approach at the late and knows what he wants to do,” Joplin manager Chris Dawson said about Feuerstake’s final two at-bats to tie the game before giving his team the lead. “He found some barrels early and just didn’t have any luck. Then he got the ball down the line and the ball in the gap. Those were huge at-bats by him.”
With the win, Joplin moves to 10-8 on the year and sits atop the South Division. The Outlaws have 20 games left on the schedule with 18 of those being South Division contests.
“We are finding ways to win,” Dawson said. “Sometimes it’s not the easiest because we make it hard on ourselves. But we find a way. As much as we would like to make things a little easier on us, we find ways to win. You have to tip your hat to those guys because they don’t give up. They make me want to pull out my hair, but they don’t give up. They string good at-bats together when we need them.
“With the stretch we have coming up, we’re up against all South opponents right now. … That is pretty much this whole month. So, that will be huge if we can get a good win streak going because we are going to cause some separation in the standings. (Getting a multi-game lead in the division standings) would be huge for us because we don’t have an off day in July. Any day we can kind of rest our guys will be huge for us. No matter how it happens, we just have to keep winning these games against South opponents.”
Joplin Outlaws starting pitcher Christian DeJesus delivers a pitch to the plate during the first inning of Thursday’s game with the Sedalia Bombers. Photo by Jason Peake.
ON THE MOUND
Christian DeJesus earned the start and took a no-decision for the Outlaws after allowing two runs, one earned, in five innings. He allowed two hits, walked three and struck out 10. Austin Gottula earned the win in relief after tossing three scoreless innings on two walks, a hit and a one strikeout. Justin Schrader earned the save after pitching a scoreless ninth on one hit and a strikeout.
“Our pitching staff keeps doing what they do every single night,” Dawson said. “They come out and give us a shot. We pitch it well and we play good defense. Our defense has let us down here lately, but the pitching is still where it needs to be. Anytime you can get those types of performances, you are going to be in a good spot.”
Chase Carson started and took a no-decision for Sedalia after allowing two runs on five hits, three walks and six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Ben Haug took the loss after allowing two unearned runs on one hit, a walk and two strikeouts.
GAME ACTION
Sedalia took the initial lead in the second inning after a two-base throwing error by DeJesus on a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with no outs. With one out, Sedalia’s Duffin Makings hit a sac fly to left field to plate a run for the 1-0 lead. DeJesus ultimately got out of the jam with just the one run touching home.
The Bombers stranded the bases loaded in the top of the third, and the Outlaws capitalized on the momentum in the bottom half when Jeb Jenkins hit a two-out RBI double to left to plate Cam Pfafman to tie the game at 1-1.
Sedalia regained the advantage on the scoreboard in the fifth inning when Braden McGinnis singled home a run to make the score 2-1.
After the Bombers left the bases loaded in the sixth, Joplin again took advantage after Feuerstake doubled with two outs to plate Ethan Ellis, who walked to reach, to tie the game at 2-2.
The two-out magic continued for the Outlaws in the eighth inning when Feuerstake ripped a ball to the gap in left-center with two away and runners on the corners to score Logan Cline, who reached on an error, and Ellis to take the lead for the final time at 4-2.
“When I am in the dugout, I like to watch a pitcher’s tendencies,” Feuerstake said. “I knew his slider was working, but I also saw he was throwing a lot of fastballs early in the count. I knew if I got a fastball (early) that it was the pitch I was wanting to hit. I anticipated correctly and he threw me that fastball. I was happy with the win. The guys showed up today.”
IN THE BOX
Feuerstake, a student-athlete at Southeast Missouri State, led Joplin at the dish with two doubles and a team-high three RBI. Cline had a pair of hits, including a double, and scored a run, while Ellis walked in the sixth and eighth innings before coming around to score a team-high two runs.
“I don’t care what anyone says, those two at-bats by Ethan Ellis were the best at-bats of the night,” Dawson said about Ellis’ walks in his final two trips to the plate. “Working the count, fouling off baseballs, fouling off baseballs and getting walks to pass it to Caleb were the two best at-bats of the night. Hands down, bar none and hats off to him.”
UP NEXT
The Outlaws host Jeff City on Pink Night at 7 p.m. on Friday at Joe Becker Stadium.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The St. Joseph Mustangs defeated the Joplin Outlaws 6-5 in 10 innings on Saturday night in a MINK League clash at Phil Welch Stadium.
The Outlaws fell to 9-7 overall with the setback, while the Mustangs improved to 10-7.
With the loss, the Outlaws fell a half game out of first place in the South Division, as Sedalia is now 10-7.
The game was deadlocked at five after nine innings. In the bottom of the 10th, Sean O’Malley delivered a game-ending single through the left side.
The Outlaws used five pitchers in the game.
John Kea started and went five innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out six.
Austin Gottula tossed two scoreless innings in relief. Clayton Saporito allowed one run and struck out two in one inning, while Jake Algee pitched a scoreless ninth. Jeb Jenkins took the loss after allowing a run in the 10th.
Ethan Ellis and Lawson Faria had two hits apiece for the Outlaws, while Brandon Ulmer drove in two runs and Calen Protaskey homered and scored twice.
Ellis contributed an RBI triple in the third and Ulmer delivered a two-run double in the fourth. The visitors went up 4-1 when a run scored on an error in the sixth.
After the Mustangs scored twice in the bottom of the sixth, Joplin’s Protaskey homered in the top of the eighth to push the visitors in front 5-3.
St. Joseph tied the game in the bottom of the eighth on Ike Book’s two-run homer.
In the 10th, Book, who went 3-for-5, singled, took second on a wild pitch and later scored on pinch hitter O’Malley’s game-winning single.
The Outlaws and Mustangs play again at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Pittsburg, Kansas, native Brett Wiemers had an abnormal start to his Joplin Outlaws career this summer—missing the first couple of games to open the season while recovering from having his wisdom teeth removed.
“I knew for a while I was going to have to get them taken out,” Wiemers said. “I actually knew back in February, but I didn’t want to miss school ball because of it. It ended up being a now-or-never type of thing, so I got them taken out a day before the (Joplin Outlaws) opened the season.
“That kind of sucked because Opening Day is always cool and that’s usually the biggest crowd, so that was tough missing that. I was there to watch the second game and I was back by the third game. … I just started popping ibuprofen before games (when I first got back) to deal with it, but you have to do what you have to do sometimes.”
Joplin Outlaws’ Brett Wiemers, a Pittsburg, Kansas, native, stands at second base after hitting a double during a MINK League game at Joe Becker Stadium. Photo by Jason Peake
Since his return, however, Wiemers has seen his fair share of offensive production for the Outlaws, who currently lead the MINK League South Division with a 9-6 record. Currently, Wiemers is hitting .316 this summer and is tied for third on the Outlaws in hits with 12. Wiemers has a team-high eight doubles to go along with seven RBI, tied for third most on the team. His slugging percentage of .526 is third best on the Outlaws among players with 30 or more plate appearances, while his .921 OPS is fourth best on the team. Wiemers has also scored seven times, walked four times and has four stolen bases.
“I am just trying to stay within myself and not do too much,” Wiemers said about his approach on offense this summer. “I am not trying to be that power guy because that’s never really been who I am. I am just trying to stay through the middle. Whenever I am doing that, taking the ball up the middle and to right field, that is probably when I am at my best. I am just making sure to stay within myself on a nightly basis.”
Much of the Outlaws’ success this season is because of the depth in the lineup on offense. When Wiemers was asked about what he takes away from this experience this summer, he was quick to point out how crucial sharing knowledge between his teammates has been.
“The team chemistry has been really good,” Wiemers said about his time with the Outlaws. “From Day 1, all the guys kind of came in and started clicking. … We have guys from all over the country, but when it comes down to it, we’re all just looking to have a good time and play good baseball.
“Guys are talking about approaches and what they’ve been preached to while at their respective colleges. It’s us teaching each other a lot, and I think that helps. I think a lot of our strengths are the mental side of hitting—knowing what we want to do and having an approach when we get up there.”
Of course, growing up in Pittsburg, Wiemers is no stranger to Joe Becker Stadium, where the Outlaws call home during the summer. Getting a chance to suit up and play on the field regularly on a college summer team is an experience that won’t soon fade from memory.
“Playing at Joe Becker Stadium is awesome,” Wiemers said. “After traveling around and seeing some of the other stadiums, it just shows you how blessed we are to play there. That field is really special, and seeing that crowd every day when we walk out is a pretty cool feeling.”
Wiemers will be transferring to Pittsburg State this season after spending last season with Neosho County Community College, and he is grateful for his time with the Outlaws this summer to help him prepare for the NCAA DII level.
“I think this experience is huge, especially moving from the JUCO level to the DII level,” Wiemers said. “Being able to take in as much information as you can, having all of that ready for you in the future when you do go to that next level is big just because you never know what situation you might be thrown in or who you will be facing that day. You can draw back on that in the future and I think that really helps a lot.”
And while transitioning from the JUCO level to the DII is special in itself, getting to call himself a Gorilla this upcoming season is a dream Wiemers has had for a long time. Why? While Wiemers grew up in Pittsburg, his father, Dave Wiemers, was a member of the Pittsburg State football coaching staff for nearly 15 years. Getting a chance to play for the same school he grew up watching while having so many close ties to the area is an experience Brett can’t wait to get underway.
“It’s really cool,” Brett Wiemers said. “My dad had a long tenure there—12 or 13 years. Growing up around it and seeing the athletic side of everything from the inside, seeing how much love people have for Pittsburg State athletics and the passions that are within those programs—being able to be a part of it instead of just watching it is really cool. I am really excited for it.”
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Joplin Outlaws improved to 9-6 in MINK League play after a 7-3 victory over the Jefferson City Renegades on Tuesday night at Vivion Field.
The Outlaws plated two runs in the second, third and seventh innings while pushing across a single tally in the fourth.
Outlaws starting pitcher Jack O’Brien delivered a stellar outing on the mound. O’Brien, who plays for Hawaii-Pacific, went six innings and allowed just one earned run on four hits while striking out seven.
Masayuki Maruhashi tossed two innings in relief, giving up one run while fanning three. Jake Algee pitched a scoreless ninth.
Drake Angeron had a big day at the plate for Joplin, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Cade Lott had two hits, while Sam Golden scored three runs and drove in one run. Calen Protaskey contributed an RBI double.
Jefferson City’s Kaden Helsel was charged with the loss. He allowed three earned runs on six hits in three innings.
The hosts were limited to six hits in the game, and Ben Burton was the lone Renegade with two hits.
The Outlaws, who are 6-4 in their last 10 games, are tied with Sedalia for first place in the South Division.
