June 21, 2021
By Brennan Mense
JOPLIN, MO—The Joplin Outlaws were stymied by Nevada Griffons starter Chase Beiter on Monday night at Joe Becker Stadium, falling 8-0 as Beiter went the distance and shut out the Outlaws on three hits. Joplin (8-6) had their streak of three straight wins snapped, while Nevada (8-10) snapped a string of five losses in six games.
Nevada took the lead in the top of the first inning against Joplin starter Reese Weaks. Following singles by Jack Swisher and Jesse Fonteboa, Alec Telles looped a soft single into center with two outs to bring home Swisher to stake Beiter to a 1-0 lead.
However, in a theme of the early innings, Weaks struck out Tyler Davis with the bases loaded to limit the damage. Weaks stranded two runners in the second and worked around three hits, thanks in part by a perfect throw from left fielder Ethan Lopez that cut down Cameron Saso at the plate.
In the fourth, Nevada again loaded the bases, this time with one out, but Weaks struck out Khale Good and Fonteboa to end the inning.
On the other side, the Joplin offense struggled to mount any form of rally against Beiter. The Outlaws put runners on base in each of the first five innings, but never could advance any into scoring position, or put multiple runners on base in an inning.
After Weaks finished 5.0 innings, Austin Gottula entered the game and allowed the first five Nevada hitters to reach base, three by way of walks. A double play and fly out ended the inning, but three runs scored to stake the Griffons to a 4-0 lead
Joplin finally mounted a threat with two outs in the seventh as Jared Toler singled and Brett Weimers lined his league-leading eighth double to move Toler to third. Brandon Ulmer hit a sharp line drive to center, but right at Fonteboa to end the inning.
Ultimately, the glut of Nevada baserunners finally caused the damn to break in the eighth inning. Three Joplin relievers allowed four runs on three hits, three hit batters, and three wild pitches. Pitching with an 8-0 lead, Beiter retired the final seven hitters to polish off his 121-pitch masterpiece with just three hits and two walks allowed with ten strikeouts.
Nevada notched 15 hits, a season-high for an Outlaws opponent, as Jack Swisher went 5-for-5 in the contest, and scored the eight runs despite leaving 14 men on base.
For Joplin, Weaks (0-2) took the loss, allowing nine hits and three walks, but striking out eight and allowing just one run. Gottula worked 2.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and four walks, with two strikeouts. Ward Richardson failed to record an out, allowing two runs on two hits and throwing three wild pitches. Cole White allowed two runs on one hit, one walk, and three hit batters. Jake Algee tossed 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two.
Joplin will return to action Tuesday night at Jefferson City to begin a five-game road trip. Our next broadcast will be a Saturday night contest against the St. Joseph Mustangs at Phil Welch Stadium in St. Joseph. First pitch is at 7:00 p.m. and will be available on UclickTV on pay-per-view, as well as all Joplin Outlaws, St. Joseph Mustangs, and MINK League season passes.
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