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Tigers blast Guardians 16-4, Purple Dragons on tap
INDEPENDENCE — The Nevada Tigers routed the St. Michael’s Catholic School Guardians, 16-4 in five innings, here Monday evening.
The contest marked Nevada High School’s final game in the West Central Conference, as Nevada R-5 athletics begins its affiliation with the Big 8 Conference next season.
Against the Guardians Nevada struck early and often, erupting for nine runs in the first. Nevada then padded its cushion with a six-run second, en route to the comfortable WCC victory — as the Tigers improve to 11-8 overall, and conclude WCC-play 8-4.
Nevada senior Logan Armstrong was tabbed as the starter, striking out three and allowing an earned run, while issuing a pair of walks and a hit over two innings of work.
Starting right fielder Grant Miller came on in relief in the third, tossing the final three frames. Miller yielded three runs (one earned) while allowing three hits, to go along with a strike out and three walks.
Miller’s three-inning relief appearance resulted in his first-career varsity victory, as Armstrong took the no-decision.
“(Grant) was missing up some in the zone, but was just effective enough to get outs. He’s going to be a big part of our pitching staff the next two years, so the experience he’s getting this year is great,” said Nevada head coach Danny Penn.”
At the dish for Nevada senior Jarrett Owen finished 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI, while fellow seniors Clay Gayman and Trent Ellis chipped in two hits and two runs apiece.
Nevada was also victorious in the junior varsity contest, rolling to a 14-4 win.
Up next
Nevada closes out its 2018 slate today, with a non-conference road contest against the Pittsburg (Kan.) High School Purple Dragons.
The first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. from Jaycee Ballpark in Pittsburg.
District tourney
The Class 4 District 12 playoff bracket was released last week, with Nevada drawing a three-seed and matching up in the opening round against No. 6 East Newton.
The contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, with Carl Junction High School hosting the six-team tourney. If Nevada prevails, they’ll advance to the semifinals, and a showdown with No. 3 Seneca, May 14 at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, the top-seeded Monett Cubs received an opening-round bye, and await 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.