Slide continues for depleted Griffons

Photo courtesy Lionel Tipton/El Dorado Times Nevada second baseman Tony Lewis tags out El Dorado baserunner Patrick Norris during a stolen base attempt in the fourth inning of the first game of a Jayhawk League doubleheader Tuesday. The throw from catcher Scott Dunwoody was a good one, the first time Norris has been caught stealing this summer. Nevada was still swept by the Broncos, losing 5-4 and 6-1.

Nevada Daily Mail

EL DORADO, Kan. -- Playing with a roster of only 17 players, the Nevada Griffons were swept by the El Dorado (Kan.) Broncos in a Jayhawk League doubleheader Tuesday, 5-4 and 6-1.

The Griffons have now lost six straight and 12 of their last 13 games.

"It's tough," Nevada head coach John Hill III said. "We still have guys playing out of position."

The Griffons still had a chance to win the first game, coming back from a 5-2 deficit with two runs in the sixth inning.

The Griffons got a 2-RBI double by Ryan Saltzgaber and after a Shawn Taylor single, had the tying run 90 feet from scoring with only one out.

But Daniel Dellasega flew out to shallow right and Scott Dunwoody lined out to end the threat.

In the second game Nevada started out well with Josh Barnett tripling to lead off the first, then scoring on a ground out by Matt Wulfers.

El Dorado scored four runs in the bottom of the first though and the Griffons were held to one hit the rest of the game.

The Griffons were playing their second and third games without seven players who are still trying to recover from suspected food poisoning on their trip to Hays over the weekend.

Even so, after the first game Nevada dropped to 1-8 in one-run games this season, making the difference between a league contender and one that has almost assured itself a spot in the basement.

"I don't know if it's lack of experience, lack of focus or lack of ability," Hill said of the poor record in close games.

Nevada will be home tonight, hosting a doubleheader against the Southwest Slashers.