Griffons split doubleheader despite only four hits

Nevada Griffons pitcher Nate Rowe tries to pick off a Wichita Twins runner at first base during the first game of a doubleheader between the two teams at Lyons Stadium Wednesday. Nevada lost the first game 7-1, but won the second game 6-3.

By Joe Warren

Nevada Daily Mail

The Nevada Griffons were held without an extra-base hit during two seven-inning games against the Wichita Twins Wednesday, yet they still managed to win one of them.

The Griffons (25-19 overall, 12-17 in the Jayhawk League) managed only four total hits in the doubleheader at Lyons Stadium, but they used three of them in the nightcap as they took advantage of four walks and two errors to score six runs in the third inning, and it was enough to get the win.

The Griffons beat the Twins in that second game, 6-3, despite being outhit by the visitors 5-3.

Nevada used their big inning and a good outing by newly acquired starter Ryan Jones (1-0) to earn the split.

"Ryan Jones threw a heck of a game," Nevada head coach John Hill III said. "It was a good pick-me-up. We've kind of been flat (Tuesday) and in the first game."

The Griffons were indeed flat in the opener Wednesday as they were held without a hit for 6 innings. Meanwhile the Twins (17-21, 13-20) pounded out 15 hits as they beat the Griffons 7-1.

Nevada's only run came in the seventh and final inning when Matt Lawson reached on an error, went to second on Chris Taylor's single -- the only hit of the game for Nevada -- and later scored on another error.

Chris Johnson (1-0) pitched the gem for Wichita, while Brandon Wellborn (1-3) took the loss for Nevada.

In the second game, eight consecutive Griffons reached base and six of them scored to lead off the third inning.

Brandon Hudson reached on an error to begin the inning, then stole second and was later thrown out at third on a fielder's choice.

Tim Ryan followed with a walk. Matt Lawson then hit the fielder's choice that got Hudson. Kyle Moore and Michael Flower followed with two more walks, scoring Ryan. Bill Disselhoff then singled (his second hit of the game) to score Lawson.

Tim Santiago also singled, driving in Moore. Mickey Nichol followed with a walk that scored Flower. Beau Schultz hit into a fielder's choice that scored Disselhoff, but reached on an error during the play that still left Nevada with only one out.

Hudson grounded out to the pitcher for the second out, driving in Santiago with the final run of the game for Nevada, giving them a 6-0 lead at the time.

Wichita scored one in the fourth and got a two-run homer from Austin Krum in the fifth, but could not get any closer.

Mike Harmelink pitched one inning in relief, but was tossed with a 3-2 count and two down after making a comment to the home plate umpire about the strike zone.

"It's unacceptable behavior and it will be addressed," Hill said about Harmelink. "I know he's competitive, but it wasn't good for the team."

Christian pitched a perfect ninth for his 10th save.