June 6, 2021
JOPLIN, MO—The St. Joseph Mustangs walked seven batters, hit two more, and committed four errors, which proved to be more than enough for the Joplin Outlaws to snag a 5-1 win on a rainy Sunday night, despite recording just four hits.
On a night where the two teams each managed just four singles and the majority of offense for both sides came via free baserunners, the Outlaws (3-0) broke through for two runs in the third inning and used seven stolen bases to help add tallies throughout the night as they earned their third-straight win to open MINK League play, while St. Joseph (1-3) fell for the third consecutive contest.
The Mustangs had the first scoring opportunity in the second against Joplin starter Steen Lane, loading the bases with two outs, but Lane struck out Ryosuke Tada to extinguish the threat.
An inning later, a throwing error by St. Joseph starter Matt Fred helped kickstart a two-run rally by the Outlaws. Jack Mettam eventually brought home the game's first run on a groundout, which was followed one batter later by Lukas White's RBI single.
In the fourth, the Outlaws extended the lead to 3-0 without a hit. After Brandon Ulmer was plunked with one out, Ulmer stole second and third, then scored two batters later on Drake Angerson's fielder's choice.
In the meantime, Lane gave way to Austin Gottula following three hitless innings on the mound. The lone returner from Joplin's 2019 squad, Gottula continued to put up zeroes through the middle innings.
Gottula received more breathing room as Brett Weimers scored on a wild pitch in the sixth inning, then drove home Sam Golden the following frame to cap off Joplin's scoring for the night.
St. Joseph would plate an unearned run in the ninth against Jake Algee as Golden air-mailed third base on a throw, allowing Ike Book to score with two outs. However, Algee fanned Tada on the very next pitch to nail down the Outlaws' third straight triumph.
Lane threw 3.0 hitless innings, walking four, hitting one, and striking out four. Gottula (1-0) tossed 4.0 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and one walk, while striking out one and earning his first win. Cole White added a scoreless inning with a hit, a walk, and a strikeout, while Algee allowed an unearned run in his lone inning of work, allowing a hit and two walks and striking out one.
The Outlaws will finish their first homestand of the year with the series finale against St. Joseph on Monday night with a 7:00 first pitch. The game is available on UclickTV on pay-per-view, as well as with all Joplin Outlaws, St. Joseph Mustangs, and MINK League season passes.
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