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Tigers lock down McDonald County
After a season reliant on offense, Nevada's pitching came through Monday in a 6-3 win over McDonald County at Lyons Stadium.
Senior Jerrod Alexander and junior Colby Shepherd combined to allow three runs on nine hits and recorded 10 strikeouts in a defensive showcase for both sides. Alexander started the game on short rest after pitching in a 12-8 loss Thursday at Neosho. He gave up one run in four complete innings before Shepherd took over and held the Mustangs to two runs as Nevada cruised to victory.
The Tiger bats did just enough to keep the them on top, but not much more. Nevada was held to five hits by McDonald County starter Nick Wills, who went the distance for the Mustangs despite a shaky fourth inning when Nevada took the lead with three runs.
The troubles for Wills came after giving up a solo home run to junior Ben Fisher that seemed to affect his confidence. He walked the next two batters on eight pitches before Shepherd got to him with a 2-RBI triple that put Nevada up 4-1.
Wills got out of the inning and rebounded to keep Nevada in check until the sixth when the Tigers added two insurance runs. He never got any help from his offense as the Mustangs scored just one run in the seventh and succumbed to Nevada's pitching and defense.
"It feels good to win one like that," head coach Jared Brown said. "Jerrod Alexander went out and threw ... He felt good and he battled and went out there and threw us four innings and then Colby Shepherd came in and did an outstanding job. He really kept their timing off. They were missing big time on him. We made plays behind him too. So I'm real happy with our performance."
The most memorable plays behind Shepherd came from the outfield. Senior Ben Compton threw out a McDonald County runner early in the contest and made a diving catch near the right-field line for an out a few innings later. Senior Jordan Kerbs and sophomore Tyler Dobson added to the highlight reel with running grabs at the warning track late in the game.
"Ben had a great put out, or assist at home," Brown said. "He made a heck of a play over here on the foul territory line. Dobson caught a big ball in the gap, Kerbs caught a big ball in the gap. Dobson dang near made a great play here (first base line). All around the field we made plays today"
Perhaps nobody made more big plays than Kerbs, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and three stolen bases. Kerbs has been one of the most consistent players at the plate this season but chalked up this victory to the defense.
"It was a good win, good win," he said. "Pitching was great. Jerrod and Colby both were throwing good off-speed balls, mixing it up. They commanded the strike zone real well. Tyler and Ben were both hustling and made good plays."
Nevada won't have much time to dwell on the victory with Webb City coming to Lyons Stadium Tuesday for a 4:30 p.m. contest. The Tigers will put their 3-2 conference record on the line for the first time against Webb City in its second to last home contest of the season.