Griffons fall at Joplin

Nevada Daily Mail

JOPLIN -- Nevada's lead in the MINK League's South Division has been cut to one and a half games after the Joplin Outlaws knocked off the Griffons 5-3 on Thursday night at the Joplin Sports Complex.

With the loss, the Griffons are now 15-12 in the league. Sedalia and Joplin are now right on Nevada's heels, as both teams are just one and a half games back. Both the Outlaws and Bombers are .500 in the league.

On Thursday night, the Griffons stranded the tying run on base in the top of the ninth, as the Outlaws held on.

In the game, Joplin broke a scoreless tie in the third against Griffons starting pitcher Tommy Bush.

Jimmy Obermark hit a one-out triple and then scored on a groundout. Kyle Dickens walked and then took second on a passed ball. Taylor Eaves then hit an RBI single. Eaves got caught stealing to end the inning, but the Outlaws led 2-0.

The Griffons got on the board in the fifth against Outlaws starter Travis Northern.

With one out, Parker McDaniel walked and then Brad Wilson singled. AJ Krist then hit an RBI single, cutting Joplin's lead to 2-1. The Outlaws then got Rick Hepworth to hit into a double play, ending the inning.

Joplin extended the lead in the bottom half of the inning.

Obermark singled, and stole second. Next, Zach Steadman hit an RBI triple. Steadman later came home on a groundout to make it 4-1 in favor of the Outlaws.

The Griffons pulled closer in the eighth against Joplin relief pitcher Ethan Mather. Wilson walked, but Krist and Hepworth were both retired. But Patrick Kregeloh drove in Wilson with an RBI single, making it 4-2. Josh Samuelson walked, but John Ascenzia was retired to end the inning.

But as soon as Nevada got closer, the Outlaws responded by extending the lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Koby Chadick hit an RBI single, scoring Eaves, who had doubled earlier in the inning against Griffons pitcher Jake Heissler. That run gave the Outlaws a 5-2 cushion heading into the ninth inning.

The Griffons made things interesting in the top of the ninth, putting the tying run on base.

Stuart Jeck, MJ Sartin and McDaniel all singled to load the bases. Wilson then drew a walk to plate a run.

But Krist struck out, Hepworth popped out, and then Kregeloh struck out to end the game.

Bush took the loss and Northern got the win.

Wilson and Jeck had two hits apiece for the Griffons.

Notes: The Griffons have now lost seven of their last nine games.

After a couple of nights off, the Griffons are home Sunday night against Joplin at 7 p.m. It will be Ice Cream Social Night.

Outlaws 5, Griffons 3

NE 000 010 011 -- 3 9 2

JO 002 020 01x -- 5 9 2

WP: Northern. LP: Bush. SV: Mather.

Griffons leaders

Wilson, Jeck 2 hits apiece.

RBI: Wilson, Krist, Kregeloh. LOB: 10.

Griffons pitching

Bush -- 6IP, 7H, 4ER, BB, 2K.

Heissler -- 2IP, 2H, 1ER, 5K.