Griffons win Dodge series, split at Derby
By Joe Warren
Nevada Daily Mail
The Nevada Griffons split a doubleheader at Derby (Kan.) Monday, after taking two of three from Dodge City over the weekend.
The Griffons (7-4 overall, 4-4 in the Jayhawk League) won the first game Monday, 4-1, thanks in large part to a sharp pitching effort from newly arrived hurler Nathan Fritz.
Fritz, who led all NAIA Division I schools with a 1.08 ERA this spring at Milligan College, showed his stuff Monday, allowing only one hit in five scoreless innings.
The Twins (6-2, 4-1) won the nightcap, 1-0, as the only run of the game came in the fourth inning off Nevada starter Greg Robinson.
Robinson, another new arrival, was also making his first appearance for the Griffons.
While the righty from Wright State pitched well, Derby's Eric Braeckel was just a little bit better to help the Twins forge a split.
Sunday it was Nevada drubbing Dodge City 9-4.
The Griffons pounded out 15 hits and received seven solid innings from starter Jake Hoover in Sunday's contest.
Hoover allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) in his seven innings of work, while Nick Adams had three of Nevada's 15 hits.
Only a two-run homer by Dodge City's Casey McGrew in the top of the ninth off reliever Josh Krummel made the game's final score appear closer than it actually was.
The Griffons split a doubleheader with Dodge City Saturday.
Three hits apiece from Adams, Hoover and Daniel Dellasega paced a 14-hit attack in the first game Saturday.
The Griffons scored three in the first inning and five more in the fourth to break the game open. Nevada utilized a combined performance on the mound from Tyler Mattox and Ryan Allen, who allowed a total of six hits and three runs in seven innings between them.
Nevada committed four errors in the second game Saturday, giving up five unearned runs in the second inning as the Dodge City A's won 10-9.
Even with the rough defensive effort, the Griffons battled and a grand slam by Greg Lagreid in the fourth gave Nevada a 9-7 lead.
But a two-run homer by Dan Martinez for Dodge City tied it at nine in the fifth, and the A's scored a run in the top of the seventh to win.
Nevada returns home today when they host the Springfield Generals in a non-league game.
The Nevada Daily Mail is sponsoring tonight's contest so admission will be free.
The Generals play in the Red River League.