Nevada Griffons suffer season's first loss

Nevada Daily Mail

SEDALIA, Mo. -- A Nevada Griffons error in the bottom of the ninth inning opened the door for the Sedalia Bombers and head coach Jud Kindle's squad scored two runs to edge Nevada by a final score of 4-3, in a MINK League South Division game Monday night, on the Bombers' home field, at Liberty Park.

The Bombers drew first blood in the contest, plating a run on Matt Jones' single in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Jones padded that lead with a home run in the fourth inning to put the Griffons in an early, two-run hole.

Head coach Ryan Mansfield's squad was unable to find the scoreboard in the contest until the seventh inning, when Kurt Becker scored on David Massey's RBI single and Massey came around to score, to give the Griffons their first lead of the night.

The Griffons led, 3-2, after eight and a half innings and the Bombers had a runner on first base with one out when a potential, game-ending double play grounder was mishandled by Griffons shortstop Taylor Love to extend the game. Jordan Day's single plated the tying run and Alex Bee drove in the winning run with another single.

The loss was the first of the season for the Griffons, who are 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the MINK League. Sedalia is 3-0, both overall and in league play on the season.

Zac Anstine pitched the ninth inning for the Bombers and earned the victory, while Aaron Barteau-- the fourth pitcher of the night for the Griffons -- took the tough-luck loss. Anstine recorded one strikeout without allowing a hit in one scoreless inning, while Barteau allowed one hit in one scoreless inning of work.

Becker and Cody Farrell led the Griffons' offense with two hits apiece, while Matt Jones had two hits for the Bombers.

After an off day Tuesday, the Griffons visit Joplin Wednesday night before hosting the Outlaws Thursday, at Lyons Stadium, according to a schedule change reported Monday, by Griffons general manager Jeff Post. First pitch in both contests is set for 7 p.m.