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Tigers defeat Carthage at home
For the second time in four days, Lyons Stadium played host to a clash between Tigers of different colors Thursday night. The Nevada Tigers entered Lyons Stadium looking for their second win of the year as they took on former Southwest Conference rival, Carthage.
The Tigers of Nevada entered the contest looking to get back into the win column and put the events of a crushing loss to the Panthers of St. Mary's Colgan on Wednesday. In that contest, the Tigers were able to manage just three hits in a 12-2 loss.
Thursday was an entirely different scenario as the Tigers amassed eight runs on nine hits on their way to an 8-2 victory.
"The kids came out and didn't look like the same baseball club today," head coach Kellan Foster said. "I was proud of them for that effort."
The Tigers wasted little time getting the offense going in the contest as Taylor Scotten drew first blood with an RBI single through the left side of the infield. That was the only run of the frame for the Tigers, but it did lift them to an early 1-0 lead from which they never looked back.
Senior Ross Wolfe got the start on the mound for Nevada and was quickly able to establish a rhythm, holding Carthage to just one hit through the first two innings. Carthage was finally able to get to the 6-foot senior in the top of the third, however, with a two-run inning that was started by Josh Collins' RBI single to left. Wolfe maintained his composure, however, and held Carthage to just the two runs in an inning that could have been much worse.
That small rally looked as though it may get Carthage the momentum they so desperately needed to get back into the contest after Nevada added to their lead with a four-run second inning. Most of the damage in that very strong rally was done by a three-run triple by sophomore Cory Kerbs.
Carthage right fielder Brett Stout had a chance at the Kerbs drive, but saw the ball fall into his glove and bounce right back out to the ground. Despite that miscue, the ball was officially ruled a hit, giving Kerbs three RBIs and adding three earned runs to Carthage starter Joe Allan's quickly elevating total.
"Cory's a good ball player and really helped us out at the plate today," Foster said.
The Tigers were able to get to Allan once again in the home half of the fifth inning as they put up three more runs before forcing a pitching change. Designated hitter Drew Bridges was finally able to put a stop to the rally as he took the mound with two outs, but not before the Tigers of Carthage found themselves in an 8-2 hole with the game's end quickly approaching.
Wolfe's dominance on the mound continued through the game's first five innings until fatigue began to set in. Carthage wasted little time in taking advantage of that fatigue as they put up a strong three-run rally of their own to cut Nevada's lead to 8-5.
Wolfe eventually got out of the inning, but saw his day come to an end there. Wolfe finished the game allowing five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits with two strikeouts, three walks and two hit batters. "Ross threw an excellent ballgame," Foster said. "He's one of those kids who's got a rubber arm and we're fortunate he can do that for us."
Wolfe did get some help on a number of occasions from a very strong effort put forth by catcher Cody Craithorne. Craithorne has been battling a knee injury that kept him out of the lineup for the Colgan game, but the game-time decision was made to put him behind the plate Thursday, and that decision paid dividends.
"Cody Craithorne played very well behind the plate," Foster said. "He really showed his toughness today."
With that win, the Tigers evened out their overall record to 2-2 on the season and will take today off before heading back out on the road tomorrow for the McDonald County Classic tournament in Anderson, Mo. The tournament features three teams -- Gravette, Ark., McDonald County and Nevada -- and will be played in a round robin format.