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Griffons dispatch visiting Outlaws, 9-4
The Nevada Griffons bounced back from Tuesday’s 20-run loss to the Sedalia Bombers, defeating the Joplin Outlaws 9-4 Wednesday night at Lyons Stadium.
The victory moves the Griffons to within 3.5 games of the first-place Ozark Generals in the MINK League South division, as Nevada improves to 18-19 overall (18-17 MINK-league play).
The Griffons jumped out to an early lead, courtesy of Nick Kreutzer’s first inning two-run blast off Outlaws southpaw Dalton Weaver.
Pitt State product Ethan Vanderpool was tabbed as the starting pitcher for Nevada. After cruising through the first two innings, Vanderpool struggled to get out of the third.
An error on shortstop L.J. Hatch to open the inning, followed by a single and walk loaded the bases for Matt DeLaVega.
DeLaVega cleared the bases, launching a Vanderpool offering over the left field wall and high into the tree line. The grand slam, DeLaVega’s fourth home run of the season, handed Joplin a 4-2 advantage. After yielding a two-out single to Kaleb DeLaTorre, Vanderpool was able to escape the inning without any further damage.
The Griffons struck back in the home-half of the third, plating five runs in the frame. Nevada’s first run of the inning came on a Noah Menchaca fielders choice, scoring Kreutzer. In addition, Menchaca reached safely on a throwing error charged to Weaver.
After reaching on a two-out single, Oscar Larranaga later came around to score on an error charged to Outlaws right fielder Caleb Nutting, tying the contest 4-4.
Weaver then turned into his own worst enemy, as back-to-back wild pitches allowed Menchaca and Sneider to cross home plate, putting the Griffons on top 6-4. The final blow of the inning came on a Hatch base knock, scoring Blaine DeMello as Nevada led by three runs.
The Griffons continued to touch up Weaver in the fourth, beginning with a two-out Ben Sneider triple to left-center field. T.J. Martin then poked a single into left, scoring Sneider to give the Griffons an 8-4 lead. The final run of the contest came on a DeMello single, scoring Larranaga, who had reached on a two-out walk.
Vanderpool’s only hiccup was his rough third inning. The Gravette, Ark., native then settled into a groove, finishing strong with four scoreless frames. Vanderpool, who allowed three earned runs over seven innings of work, while striking out four and walking two, improved to 4-3 on the season. Solomon Klimeck entered in the eighth, tossing a pair of scoreless frames to close out the contest.
Weaver (0-4), who was torched for nine runs (eight earned) while also committing two errors of his own, was replaced in the fifth. Joplin relief pitchers Noah Kennedy and Christian Cedano combined for four scoreless innings of work.
At the dish, Kreuzter finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs-scored; DeMello, 2-for-3 with a run-scored; while Larranaga, Martin, Sneider, and Hatch collected a hit apiece.
“We got much better pitching tonight,” said Griffons manager Ryan Mansfield. “We came out hitting, and it was pretty apparent we were going to score runs (on Weaver). He left some balls up in the zone and we took advantage of it.”
Mansfield said he was pleased with the way his squad bounced back from Tuesday’s 21-1 defeat at Sedalia.
“Since I’ve been here, I don’t think we’ve ever given up nine runs in one inning,” said the veteran coach. “Obviously not fun, but that was last night.”
Mansfield indicated there is some real concern as far as the Griffons closing out the season strong. Nevada had 18 pitchers on its opening day roster, and are now down to just 11.
‘“We can’t have bad starts because that absolutely kills our (bull) pen,” said Mansfield.
Mansfield used relief Cam Fowler as a recent example, as the Moline, Illinois native was forced into a long-relief appearance on Sunday, in which he threw 90 pitches over seven innings of work.
“Honestly, most of the guys who left (the team) didn’t want to be here,” said Mansfield. “I hope the rest of the guys stick around.”
Up next
The Griffons return to Lyons Stadium tonight at 7 p.m. for a non-conference contest with the Kansas City Monarchs.
Note: Scoring information was not available for the Griffons Thursday night non-conference road contest with the Cassville Arrows