Menu
Tigers set to close out busy week with Smith-Cotton conference clash on tap
Looking to get back in the win column after falling to Fort Scott High School on Tuesday, the Nevada Tigers are slated for a West Central Conference showdown with visiting Smith-Cotton H.S, 5 p.m. today at Lyons Stadium.
Tonight’s contest caps en eventful week for Nevada. Prior to Tuesday’s defeat the Tigers opened the week at home on Monday with a WCC twinbill sweep of the Clinton Cardinals.
Clinton twinbill
In the opener Nevada’s seven-run first inning set the tone as the Tigers powered to a 17-7, six-inning run-rule victory.
At the dish for Nevada senior Logan Armstrong finished 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, three runs scored, and two RBI.
Grant Miller also concluded 3-for-3, as the sophomore right fielder collected a pair of doubles, three runs, and an RBI.
In addition senior third baseman Braeden Hinton notched three hits and scored twice, while fellow senior Clay Gayman chipped in a three-hit day, with three runs and two RBI.
“We can out swinging,” noted Nevada head coach Danny Penn of the first inning offensive explosion. “It was a huge luxury for us. A lot of guys had very nice games offensively. We had good at-bats, and guys were willing to take their walks. But when pitches were in the zone, we didn’t miss many.”
On the hill junior southpaw Peyton Denney picked up his first victory of the season — allowing five earned runs over four innings of work, while striking out five and walking five.
“Peyton did okay on the mound,” summed up Penn. “I would have loved for him to be more efficient and have gone deeper into the game, but that’s partially a result of having not pitched for awhile.”
In the nightcap, Nevada clipped Clinton, 6-2.
Despite playing in front of its home faithful Nevada was the visiting team for game two, as it was the makeup contest for the teams previously scheduled date in Clinton.
The Tigers quickly jumped in front as Hinton’s run-scoring single plated shortstop Branden Harder in the top of the first.
“From there, it was a very intense game with lots of energy,” began Penn. “It was a playoff atmosphere, and I thought our guys handled it very well. I was proud of our maturity and, how we let our play and the scoreboard do our talking, rather than chirping at Clinton.”
Nevada starter Dalton Gayman was magnificent. The sophomore southpaw flirted with a no-hitter — until his bid was broken up by Jacob Yates sixth-inning single. He was then replaced by senior Jarrett Owen shortly thereafter.
Gayman allowed an earned run, and just one hit over five innings of work, while striking out seven.
“Like Peyton in game one, Dalton could have been more efficient,” explained Penn. “But he did a great job of working out of trouble. I thought he really showed signs of maturation tonight, as he was able to block out distractions and focus on his job.”
Penn said he was impressed with Owen’s relief outing.
“Jarrett came in and put out a fire in the sixth, getting two big strikeouts,” recounted Penn. “He was throwing hard, and was almost able to finish the game. His pitch-count got us, and we wanted him available for Fort Scott (Tuesday).”
Dalton Gayman picked up the victory, while Logan Bradley notched the save.
“Logan came in and got the final out of the game on a three- pitch strikeout to lock it down,” said Penn.
At the dish Clay Gayman collected his third consecutive three-hit game, finishing 3-for-4, while Hinton and Miller combined to go 4-for-7 with two RBI.
Fort Scott 11, NHS 4
The Tigers returned to the diamond Tuesday for a non-conference home-contest with Fort Scott (Kan.) High School, and were upended by the visiting FSHS Tigers, 11-4.
Fort Scott went on top 2-0 in the top of the first. Aided by a trio of Fort Scott defensive miscues, Nevada struck back with four runs in the home-half of the first.
Fort Scott erased the deficit and regained the lead with a run apiece in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Fort Scott then tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth, before breaking the game open with a four-run seventh.
“I thought we lacked intensity and focus tonight,” said Penn. “That’s unfortunate, especially after how we played (Monday), and the fact that we were playing Fort Scott. We (committed) a focus-error on the first batter of the game. We dropped a foul ball pop-up and were lackadaisical on a couple of routine plays that allowed Fort Scott to take extra bases. Giving a good team extra outs, or extra bases, will bite you, and it did us.”
Nevada starter Owen lasted just two innings, yielding three runs, all unearned. Owen also walked three, and allowed two hits, while striking out a batter.
Armstrong entered in relief, surrendering four earned runs off five hits and four walks, while striking out five over four innings of work. Miller was brought in for the seventh, with all four of Fort Scott’s runs going as unearned.
“All three of our pitchers pitched much better than their lines would indicate,” said Penn. “I thought we may have nibbled at the corners a little too much, and we also dealt with an inconsistent strike zone. But those are adjustments we have to be able to make in the middle of a game.”
Although the final outcome didn’t go Nevada’s way, Owen aided his own cause at the dish, finishing 3-for-3 with a walk and RBI; while Dalton Gayman went 2-for-3 with a double, and run scored.
“Jarrett had a nice day at the plate with some really nice swings,” said the veteran head coach, adding, “he’s starting to swing it better. Even though we took an ‘L’ tonight, there were some positives, that hopefully continue as we head toward district-play.”
Penn, however, lamented lost opportunities. Nevada loaded the bases with one out in the third, but as has happened with alarming frequency this season, had a runner get picked off first base. The base-running gaffe snuffed out the Nevada threat.
“We had opportunities to score more runs, but just weren’t able to convert,” said Penn. “We grounded into two double-plays with runners in scoring position, and got picked off with the bases loaded. Those were momentum killers that we had a hard time overcoming.”
After winning two of three so far this week, Nevada improved to 9-8 overall and 6-4 WCC-play.
District playoffs
The Class 4 District 12 playoff bracket was released Wednesday, with Nevada drawing a three-seed and matching up in the opening round against No. 6 East Newton.
The contest is scheduled for Saturday, May 12 at 1 p.m., with Carl Junction High School hosting the six-team tourney. If Nevada prevails, they’ll advance to the semifinals, and a clash with No. 3 Seneca, May 14 at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, top-seeded Monett (12-8) received an opening-round bye, and awaits the winner of the Carl Junction vs. Cassville match-up.
The Class 4 District 12 championship game is slated for May 15 at 6 p.m.