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Night Hawks target Red Sox
The Nevada Red Sox dropped both games of a doubleheader against Neosho last night, 6-5 and 14-1.
Neither team was able to get any kind of offense going in the first inning of game one, both coming away with no hits and no runs in the frame. But, Red Sox starter Ryan Austin was able to record one strikeout.
The Night Hawks were able to get their lead-off man on in the second when Kyle Dickens knocked a base hit into center field and advanced to second on an error. Shortstop Tanner Pogue tried to move him over to third on a sacrifice bunt, but hit the ball into the air and was retired in a diving grab by Ronnie Johnson. Austin retired the next two hitters by strikeout, leading to another scoreless inning.
The Red Sox looked as though they would follow suit when Johnson led off the inning with a flyout to right, but were able to get a little bit of offense going when Taylor Scotten got on base with a walk and stole second, followed directly by another walk to Ethan Beisner and an RBI hit from Tyler Dobson. A throwing error by the catcher in an attempted pick-off at third brought in two more runs, giving Nevada a 3-0 lead going into the third.
Neosho came back with a run of their own in the top of the third after a double from Carter Marion allowed Anthony Westfield to score from second after he was put there by an error in center. The Night Hawks did get the benefit of another error and another hit in the inning, but were unable to score again, closing out the inning down 3-1.
Nevada tacked on another run in the bottom half of the frame, and looked as though they may have another rally coming after a two out hit from Ronnie Johnson, and a balk called by the base umpire, moving him to second. But, Taylor Scotten was retired on a ground ball to first, ending the inning with the score holding at 4-1.
Austin started to look a little shaky on the mound for Nevada in the fourth, giving up a hit, a walk and throwing three wild pitches, allowing Neosho to cut the Red Sox lead in half. Nevada was unable to answer in their half of the frame, but did tack on one more hit before the side was retired.
Nevada added another run to their total on a double down the left field line that allowed Austin Baldwin to score. Nevada also had a walk and a hit batter in the inning, sending the game into the sixth with the Red Sox up 5-2.
Neosho cut even further into the Nevada lead with two runs in the sixth before Ryan Austin was replaced on the mound by Dexter Patton. Patton shut down the Night Hawks' rally, retiring both hitters he faced in the sixth on just six pitches and allowing Nevada to hold onto a 5-4 lead.
Patton's performance seemed to slip a bit in the seventh, allowing a hit and a run, along with a wild pitch, taking the game to the bottom of the seventh tied 5-5. The Red Sox were unable to answer in their half of the frame, taking the game to extra innings.
Patton allowed what would be the game-winning run in the top of the eighth after one hit and one walk in the inning, giving the Night Hawks a 6-5 victory.
The night's second game got off to a bit of a rocky start for Nevada starter Josiah Johnson, with two runs on one hit and three wild pitches before he was replaced by Jonathan Butler. Butler allowed a walk, three hits and three runs before retiring the side, giving Neosho an early 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the first.
After Nevada was unable to capitalize on two consecutive walks and a wild pitch from Neosho starter Alex Wise, Nevada's troubles continued. Butler hit two batters in the second and, behind two defensive errors, allowed Neosho to tack on two more runs without giving up a hit.
Nevada cut into the lead with one run in the third, scored on a wild pitch, taking the game into the fourth inning with a score of 7-1.
Neosho added three more runs in the top of the fourth before the Red Sox coaching staff took Butler off the mound, all coming on a deep drive to left off the bat of Tanner Pogue. After coming on in relief of Butler, Taylor Scotten gave up two more runs to the Night Hawks before Nevada changed pitchers for the second time in the inning.
Ethan Beisner came in to replace Scotten and finally put a stop to the rally, retiring three of four batters faced and taking the game into the bottom of the fourth with Nevada down 12-1.
Neosho added to their lead yet again in the top of the fifth, scoring two more runs before holding Nevada scoreless in the bottom half of the frame and earning a 14-1 victory in five innings, by virtue of the run rule.
The losses drop Nevada's record to 25-7 on the season, with their next contest coming tonight in a doubleheader at Carthage.