Griffons shut out Outlaws again, move into second

Nevada Griffons teammates Jesse Fonteboa (13) and Kahle Good celebrate after scoring two runs against the Joplin Outlaws this past weekend at Lyons Stadium.

File photo by Hank Layton | Daily Mail Sports Reporter

With their second shutout of the Joplin Outlaws in as many games, the Nevada Griffons have turned the MINK League South Division on its head.

The team jumped from last place to second thanks to a three-game winning streak out of the All-Star break, all against Joplin, including the latest gem, a 4-0 victory Monday night at Joe Becker Stadium.

Despite being out-hit 6-4 and striking out 11 times, the Griffons scored one run in each of the opening three frames, while adding an insurance run in the seventh inning, and backed up starting pitcher Chase Beiter and reliever Steve Marhefke with enough defense to secure the combined shutout.

Beiter struck out four and allowed four hits (plus walked a pair) through the first six innings before Marhefke picked up the save by allowing just two hits over the final three innings. He also struck out two.

Nevada (13-15) got to Joplin (12-14) starter Steen Lane early when Kahle Good was hit by a pitch with one out, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jesse Fonteboa reached on an error, and Nick Chavez got plunked to load the bases, before Matthew Leong drove in Good on a fielder’s choice. Tyler Davis was also hit by a pitch in the inning, but the Griffons failed to plate another run.

That is, until the second inning, when Cameron Saso drew a one-out walk and circled the bases on wild pitches.

Then, in the third, Davis reached on a fielder’s choice, moved to third on two more wild pitches, and scored on a Saso single.

Good scored the team’s final run in the seventh by drawing a leadoff walk, advancing to second on an error, stealing third, and trotting home on a Fonteboa sacrifice fly.

The win improved Nevada’s season record against Joplin to 6-0. Three of the wins have been shutouts.