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Generals dispatch Griffons
The Nevada Griffons suffered their first non-league loss and their second loss at home all season last night against the Ozark Generals.
Griffons starter Thomas Rooke got off to a rocky start in the game, allowing a lead-off double to Generals third baseman John Bryant and one more hit in the inning, leaving Nevada with an early one run deficit before even coming to bat in the game. The Griffons were able to answer in their half of the frame, though, getting a lead-off single from Tyler Redick and a double in the first at-bat with the Griffons since an injury ended the season early for Korby Mentken last year. Nevada ended the inning with two runs, carrying a 2-1 lead into the second.
The second inning looked as though it may bring more runs when Tye Throneberry bunted his way on with one out, but Rooke regained his composure and, with the aid of a double play, shut down the Generals with just the one hit and no runs in the inning. Nevada started out the second with a line drive to second by Logan Meisler that was caught by a leaping Cameron Dullnig for the first out in a real highlight play, followed by another defensive gem by Tye Throneberry to rob a potential hit in the alley in right center. Nevada did get a hit, a walk, and an error by Throneberry in the inning, but were not able to capitalize and came up empty.
Rooke retired the first two batters he faced in the third, with a strikeout and a grounder to third, and was able to shut out the Generals again, keeping the Griffons ahead by one. The trend that would be followed for most of the game by both teams of getting the lead-off man on continued in the bottom of the third with a lead-off double by Dan Ward, who would eventually come around to score after Ryan Peterson was hit by a pitch and the Griffons were able to tack on another hit, bringing the lead to 3-1.
The Generals looked to threaten again in the fourth with a lead-off double by Wes Platts, along with two more hits in the inning, plating one more run and cutting into Nevada's lead again in what looked like it may be the end for Thomas Rooke. Rooke was able to recover and only allowed one run in the inning.
Ozark starter Mike Bell had his own struggles in the bottom half, giving up a lead-off walk to Robbie Robinson, followed by two more to Mentken and Ward, before his night came to an end. Michael LaCourse came on in relief, inheriting a bases loaded, one out situation, and allowed one of those runs to score after an error by the catcher.
The Generals fought back hard in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs on two hits before Rooke was pulled from the game. Jeff Quihuis-Bell came on in relief of Rooke and was able to get out of the inning with no further damage.
Nevada tried to answer in the bottom of the frame with a hit and stolen base from Rex Meyr, but again came up empty, only being able to manage that one hit and suffering one strikeout.
The sixth inning brought even more defensive woes for the Griffons, with Ozark plating two more runs on two hits. Yet again, The Generals were able to get their lead-off man on, with an infield hit that was followed by a stolen base. Nevada did commit their first error of the game in the sixth, but the Generals were only able to gain the lead after a questionable call by the umpire at third base kept the inning alive.
Nevada then answered with one run of their own in the bottom of the sixth that came after a lead-off walk and one hit. The Griffons weren't able to get anything more out of the inning, though, and took a 6-5 deficit into the seventh.
The top half of the seventh inning got off to a scary start for everyone present when a fastball from Griffons reliever Jason Aragon grazed off the helmet and into the face of Ozark first baseman Wes Platts. Platts went down, but was quickly able to get up and stayed in the game, stealing second base shortly after his scare at the plate.
Nevada had a superb opportunity in their half of the inning, after a lead-off hit from Ryan Peterson and two Ozark errors loaded the bases with nobody out. But thanks to a double play started by the pitcher and a pop out, the Griffons came up empty.
The Generals' offense was shut down almost completely in the final two innings, notching only one hit, while being struck out four times. But they were able to add one more run in the ninth inning after a walk, a hit, and a hit batter.
The Griffons were shut down in the eighth after a diving grab in left field by B.J. Underkofler, and two more routine outs. The ninth inning for the Griffons looked much the same, with two more highlight plays by the Ozark offense, leading to a 7-5 Generals win.
In a post game interview, Griffons head coach John Hill III said of his team, "They couldn't have played better, but they couldn't have played worse." Hill cited fundamental issues such as bad decisions on defense and poor at-bats as being to blame for the loss. In regards to some of the decisions made by his infield, Hill commented, "It's just not smart baseball".
The Griffons fall to 14-10 on the season with the loss and are scheduled to play again tonight against the Joplin Slashers at Lyons Stadium.