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Griffons beat Outlaws in last inning showdown fashion
The 3-6 Nevada Griffons had hoped for a better start to the 2022 MINK League season, but they had the opportunity to score a win to a team they beat at home just one week ago. They were especially ready to get a win after four straight losses in five days against the St Josesph Mustangs, the Clarinda A’s, and the Sedalia Bombers. With #6 Jeremiah Coley Ceasar starting on the rubber for the Nevada Griffons and #32 AJ Moreno on the mound for the Joplin Outlaws, here is what happened on Tuesday night at Lyons Stadium.
The Joplin Outlaws scored two runs off of a single hit in the top of the first, after the left fielder of #20 Alex Mintz for Nevada had trouble tracking the ball due to the sun glare. The Griffons stayed scoreless in the bottom half of the inning, and were headed to the top of the second.
Both Nevada and Joplin remained scoreless in the second inning of play, but not without a chance to score a run or two. After a pop fly hit by Nevada in shallow right field with two outs, the right fielder for Joplin #1 Garrett Chun dropped the ball and was considered safe for Nevada to have two runners on the base path. The third out was caught and the score remained the same.
The third inning was scoreless for both teams, but in the top of the fourth is where #7 Tyler Monroe for the Griffons replaced Coley Ceasar on the mound in the blue and gray colors. Nevada was able to keep the Outlaws scoreless in the top of the fourth after the Joplin third base runner had to jump to avoid the tag, but failed to do so. Unfortunately for the Nevada Griffons, they too remained scoreless and remained 2-0 with the Joplin Outlaws on top headed to the fifth inning.
Once again the Outlaws were unable to score, but Nevada had their closest shot of doing so all night in the bottom half of the inning. They finally did make it on the scoreboard after the Griffons scored three runs which changed the score to 3-2 with Nevada on top.
No. 11 James Yamasaki replaced Moreno on the mound with two outs left in the bottom of the fifth, and was headed to the top of the sixth inning. That is where the Outlaws had two base runners on first and third, but were unable to advance their score. They did however advance their number of pitchers they used in the ball game, as #31 Connor Peck replaced Yamasaki on the mound sporting the red and black colored jersey. Both sides weren’t able to move their respective score, and headed to the top of the seventh.
With one out, Mintz in left field made an amazing catch as the ball was headed towards the fence for the second out. Nevada finally got the third out they needed, and kept the base runners on first and second base, but struck out for the third out. Joplin did tie up the ball game in the top of the eighth with one out, after a fly ball to left field was able to send a runner home. Then three more runners were able to score, and Nevada was looking for a way to end the damage with the score now being 6-3 Joplin.
In the bottom half, Joplin Outlaws #19 George Fisher replaced Peck on the mound at Lyons Stadium, until he was quickly replaced by #35 Cameron Hill after only facing two batters. Nevada then scored two runs with two outs. They eventually had the third out, and Nevada only trailed by one singular run heading to the top of the ninth.
No. 29 Aaron Hassell for the Griffons stepped up to pitch against the Joplin Outlaws, replacing Monroe. With two outs and a runner on first, the Griffons were able to get the batter out at first from a throw by Schneider at third base, and were looking to take advantage of the bottom of the ninth to try to score two more runs to win. With two Griffons base runners on first and second after being walked, #23 Andrew Sumner took over pitching operations for the Joplin Outlaws, replacing Hill on the mound.
This was Joplin's seventh man on the rubber sporting the Joplin team, after trying to contain the Griffons from scoring in the inning. WIth bases loaded with one out, Nevada was walked home a run after ball four was called on #12 Caleb Chance, tying the game 6-6, with bases still loaded. Now with two outs after a caught ball was counted, #11 Luke Piazza hit a floater into left center, and the Nevada Griffons won the ball game 7-6 over the Joplin Outlaws.
“Yeah, it feels pretty good to get back in the win column” said Head Coach for the Nevada Griffons Mike Albin. “We had a really good outing from all our pitches tonight and our boys handled the bats well, especially late in the week. The Joplin Outlaws were more disciplined to play today. They certainly didn't chase as much and certainly the difference is still good.”
Talking about the final at bat with Piazza on the plate, Coach Albin quotes, “You know, they've been working him inside a lot. I don't know why, but I've been working him inside a lot and he's delivered quite a bit in the last three games with some key base hits down the line. All of them inside pitches and he swings.”
Finally, talking about the next two games at home against the Iowa Prospects, Albin told Nevada Daily Mail, “Well you know,those guys can hit and pitching is probably about where everybody else was. So we've got to play some fundamental defense pitches, got to step up and we've got to continue to do what we do at the plate." Nevada improves their record to 4-6 on the year, and look forward to continuing their winning ways on Wednesday and Thursday starting at 7 p.m. each night.
