July 18, 2021
By Brennan Mense
JOPLIN, MO—The Joplin Outlaws scored the final six runs of the contest, but it was not enough to overcome a 7-0 deficit as the Outlaws dropped their final home game of the regular season, 7-6 against the Sedalia Bombers.
The Bombers (18-15) extended their first place lead in the MINK League South to three games over the Outlaws, while Joplin's (17-17) second-place advantage over Jefferson City fell to one game with the loss and Jefferson City's doubleheader sweep tonight.
The first inning foreshadowed the primary issue of Sunday's game for Joplin: free baserunners. Justin Schrader earned the start, but drilled Kellen Williamson with his first pitch, then walked Spencer Nivens, the first of four walks Nivens drew in the contest. After a double steal, consecutive sacrifice flies staked Sedalia to a 2-0 lead without the aid of a hit.
Things got worse for Schrader in the third as he issued consecutive one-out walks, which in turn was followed by consecutive doubles from Branden McGinnis and Duffin Makings, which brought home a total of three runs. With two outs, an RBI single by Jacob McWhirter brought home another run, staking the Bombers to a 6-0 lead.
Austin Gottula entered the game in the fourth inning and like Schrader, he struggled with his command. The right-hander walked the first three batters he faced, loading the bases with nobody out. The Outlaws then turned an extremely unconventional triple play.
McGinnis hit a ground ball, which Logan Cline flipped to second for the first out. Jeb Jenkins lost the ball on the transfer and Nivens attempted to score from second. However, he was thrown out at the plate for the second out. Following an argument by Sedalia manager Craig McAndrews concerning the play at the plate, the Outlaws appealed to first and McGinnis was called out, turning the play into a 6-4-2-1-3 triple play. However, a run did score on the play, staking the Bombers to a 7-0 lead.
Gottula worked out of another jam in a scoreless fifth, after which the Joplin offense woke up after being held to one hit in the first four innings by Sedalia starter Chase Carson. Following a single and a walk, Dawson Walters lined an RBI single for the first run of the game. However, two strikeouts sandwiched a one-out walk threatened to derail the inning.
With the bases loaded and two outs, still down 7-1, Logan Cline came up and worked the count full. He then lined a pitch the opposite way, which rolled up the terrace near the right field corner. With all three runners taking off on the pitch, they all scored with ease, cutting the deficit to 7-4.
The hit chased Carson, who was relieved by Tucker Nunnenkamp, who got out of the inning with no further damage. Nunnenkamp promptly retired the first seven batters he faced, including striking out the side in the bottom of the sixth.
On the other side, Drew Beyer and Caden Bressler took the mound for the first time as Outlaws and combined to put up three scoreless innings of relief, helping keep the Outlaws in the game.
Joplin finally broke through against Nunnenkamp as Caleb Feuerstake led off with a single. Following a flyout, Ethan Ellis lifted a fly ball down the right field line that Braden DeSonia attempted to make a basket catch on. However, he dropped the ball putting two men in scoring position. Jared Toler stepped in and lined a single to center, which scored both runners and trimmed the margin to 7-6.
Unfortunately for the Outlaws, that was where the rally ended. Drake Angeron pinch ran and made it to third base, but Connor Wolf emerged from the Bombers' bullpen and retired the next two batters to strand the tying run there. Wolf then set down the Outlaws in order in the ninth, nailing down a 7-6 Bombers win.
Schrader (0-2) lasted just 3.0 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on three hits, four walks, and two strikeouts, taking his second loss. Gottula tossed 2.0 hitless innings, allowing an unearned run, while walking four and striking out two. Beyer threw 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk with two strikouts. Bressler threw a scoreless inning with a hit, a walk, and a strikeout. Christian DeJesus tossed a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts.
The Outlaws will finish their season with eight games on the road in six days, starting with a doubleheader Monday night in Chillicothe. Our next broadcast will be on Tuesday night in Sedalia for a 7:00 game at Liberty Park Stadium. That game will be available on pay-per-view, as well as with all Joplin Outlaws and MINK League passes.
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