July 11, 2021
By Brennan Mense
JOPLIN, MO—Dawson Walters raced around the bases for a two-run inside-the-park homer for his first hit in an Outlaws uniform and Cale McAllister pitched into the sixth inning as the Joplin Outlaws snapped a three-game losing streak win a 6-4 win over the Jefferson City Renegades on Sunday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin (15-13) moved into sole possession of second place in the MINK League South division, half a game behind Sedalia, while Jefferson City (13-15) dropped their third straight and fell into a tie for third place in the tightly-packed division.
After being shut out on Saturday, the Outlaws faced a daunting task as they faced South All-Star starting pitcher Ethan Osborne, who entered the contest with a 0.64 ERA in 28.0 innings pitched this season. However, the Outlaws were up to the task.
Both teams failed to score in the first inning, but Joplin took advantage of a Jefferson City miscue in the second. Jared Toler's one-out grounder to second was muffed by Ben Burton, putting a runner on. Cade Lott followed with a single. Following a fielder's choice, Jeb Jenkins dunked a bloop single into right-center, bringing home Toler with the game's first run.
An inning later, the Outlaws broke through in memorable fashion against Osborne, again with a defensive breakdown. Caleb Feuerstake led off with a ground ball to first, but Osborne was late to cover first, allowing Feuerstake to reach. The outfielder then stole second, and two batters later, Ethan Ellis brought him home with a single to make it 2-0 Joplin.
That wouldn't be all, though, as Walters strode to the plate in his second game for Joplin, having struck out in four of his first five at-bats in an Outlaws uniform. This time, though, he lofted a fly ball deep to right field that Andrew Paten narrowly missed, which then rolled up the terrace and into foul territory. Walters raced around second as the throw went towards third, but Chris Dawson waved him around third, and Walters beat the throw home for a two-run inside-the-park homer, putting the Outlaws up 4-0.
All the while, McAllister frustrated the Renegades by working his way out of trouble. The southpaw stranded two runners in each of the first two innings, then erased a two-on, one-out situation in the fourth with a double play.
After stranding two runners yet again in the fifth, McAllister went out for the sixth. However, Hamilton Anderson led off with a sharp single to left. Paten came up and ripped a 1-0 fastball over the left-field fence for a two-run homer, which cut the Joplin lead in half, to 4-2.
McAllister was then pulled in favor of Austin Gottula, who retired the last three hitters of the inning. Joplin then went to work on answering, which they did in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Jenkins laid down a bunt, which Osborne threw away, putting Jenkins at second. With two outs, Feuerstake ripped an RBI single to center, pushing the lead back out to 5-2.
Gottula returned for the seventh and tossed a 1-2-3 frame, then gave way to Clay Saporito for the eighth. Saporito immediately found himself in trouble, as two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. However, the righty buckled down, inducing a foul out. After a passed ball brought home a run, he fanned Drew Mize and Ben Burton with the tying run at second base, preserving the 5-3 advantage.
That run would also be immediately answered by the Outlaws. Lott drew a one-out walk and stole second. After the steal, Lott was replaced by pinch runner Brett Wiemers, who scored when Drake Angeron lined a soft single to left field, restoring the three-run lead.
The ninth inning, though, was not easy. Jake Algee entered in search of a save and immediately allowed a double and hit a batter to begin the inning. With the tying run in David Dell at the plate, Algee induced a 4-3 double play. Down to their final strike, the Renegades had one last gasp as Carter Mize ripped an RBI single, but Hamilton Anderson, representing the tying run, grounded out to seal the 6-4 victory for Joplin.
Walters had the home run and two RBI in his first game at Joe Becker Stadium, while Jenkins was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Feuerstake and Angeron each added a hit and an RBI.
McAllister (2-0) went a season-high 5.0 innings plus two batters, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts, earning the win. Gottula retired all six batters faced over 2.0 innings, striking out three. Saporito allowed an unearned run on two hits and a walk, with one strikeout over an inning of work. Algee earned his first save, allowing a run on two hits in his one inning.
The Outlaws will play game two of the homestand against the Nevada Griffons tonight at Joe Becker Stadium, with a 7:00 first pitch scheduled. The game will be available on pay-per-view, as well as with all Joplin Outlaws and MINK League passes.
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