JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - It didn’t take very long after first pitch to realize that this particular game would be one to remember at Ernie Vivion Field.
The Mustangs (11-6) struck first and by the look of it, it appeared as though they would cruise to victory. They sent eight hitters to the plate and scored four of them, due in part to doubles from Jordan Maxson and Daniel Covert. The Renegades (9-8) were finally able to answer a 5-0 deficit in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run home run by Marquise Doherty that landed on the big red shed in left-center field.
St. Joe responded with two runs itself in the top of the sixth, and after the Renegades scratched across Jake Slunder on a Logan Hudson double, the stage was set. With already two outs in the inning, the Renegades loaded the bases on pair of walks and a hit batter. Doherty kept the rally alive getting hit by a pitch as well to make it a three-run game, at which point it was all up to Slunder – who subsequently ripped a ball down the left field line, tying the game at 7.
The Mustangs never quit – snatching the momentum right back in the top of the ninth as Terrence Spurlin took the air out of the Viv with a two-run shot of his own to right field. Then needing two runs to tie and three to win, the Renegades again rallied after making an immediate first two outs. With its back against the wall, Jefferson City produced back-to-back-to-back singles and another hit batter to load the bases needing just a run with the winning run in scoring position. Slunder, who again found himself at the plate, hit a hard hit line drive to right field that brought the entire stadium to its feet before the ball harmlessly settled into Covert’s glove, securing a 9-8 win for the Mustangs.
You couldn’t have scripted it any better, and the Renegades may have just proven they can hang with the reigning MINK League champs. The following games between the two clubs will be games to watch for, with the next one taking place at the end of June.
For the immediate future, the Renegades will enjoy an off day Monday before heading to Joplin to face the Outlaws on Tuesday night.
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