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Gage’s blast lifts Griffs to 9-7 walk-off victory over St. Joe’s
Conner Gage’s two-run homer propelled the Nevada Griffons to a 9-7, extra inning, walk-off victory over the visiting St. Joseph Mustangs Sunday night at Lyons Stadium.
Nevada has been a thorn in the side of St. Joe’s, as the Griffons upended the Mustangs 9-4 the previous night in St. Joe.
Sunday’s home victory moved the Griffons (9-9) into first-place in the MINK South division, a half-game ahead of the slumping Ozark Generals (9-10).
Down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth Griffons center fielder Wesley Powell laced an RBI triple down the left field line, knotting the contest, 7-7. With Powell on third Connor Dupuy nearly ended the game, but second baseman Chaz Verduzco made a highlight-reel play, robbing Dupuy on a hard-hit grounder up the middle, and sending the contest into extra frames.
Things got dicey for the Griffons in the top of the 10th as Terrance Spurlin’s leadoff double and Malik Williams’ walk had the Mustangs in business. A Kyle Norstrom wild pitch then put Spurlin 90-feet from home plate.
St. Louis Community College product Jackson Keller replaced Norstrom on the hill, and with the help of a double-play, was able to escape the jam. The improbable twin-killing was spearheaded by Nevada second baseman Tanner Maskey, who made a sliding catch in foul territory, quickly popped to his feet, and gunned down a tagging Spurlin at home. With Williams on third Mason Janvrin grounded out, snuffing out the St. Joe’s threat.
In the home-half of the 10th, Gage said he was sitting “dead-red” (fastball) prior to swatting the two-run bomb. After rounding third and touching home, Gage was mobbed by his jubilant teammates.
There seemed to be some confusion after the game, however, as Griffons manager Ryan Mansfield said that Gage’s blast was actually a ground-rule double. This came as a surprise to Gage, as the power-hitting third baseman from Mount Pleasant, Texas, said he definitely thought the ball cleared the center field wall.
Either way, Gage said walk-off hits never get old for him.
“It’s the best feeling,” he said. “Celebrating with your teammates and getting the win for the home crowd.”
Powell, who removed the Griffons from life-support with his ninth inning triple, was equally ecstatic.
“I was looking for something up, preferably a fastball,” noted Powell of his clutch three-bagger that scored Ben Palensky from first. “I fouled off the first pitch; it was a little too high. Then, luckily, he threw one kind of middle-in, and I turned on it.”
Powell, whose playing time has been sporadic this season, had his best game as a Griffon, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run-scored. Powell also showcased his range in center, making several difficult catches while flashing a strong arm.
“I’ve been struggling a little bit at the plate,” said Powell. “So it felt good, coming out and contributing, and getting my timing down on those key hits.”
Added Powell: “This was a big win. The whole team is gaining confidence. The chemistry, the camaraderie, everybody’s building together.”
Other Griffons’ offensive highlights from the see-saw battle included Zion Mayberry’s fifth inning solo home run to left-center, and Powell’s seventh-inning RBI double. For Nevada, Mayberry finished 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI, upping his average to a robust .367; while Powell, Gage, and Domonique Hernandez each notched multi-hit performances.
“Hitting is going to come-and-go throughout the summer,” explained Mansfield. “But I’ve told these guys the biggest thing is trying to figure out how to make adjustments through the course of the game. We still have numerous guys in the line-up who are getting beat on breaking balls. And they’re seeing numerous breaking balls. So, at some point in time, we’re going to have to learn how to actually hit a breaking ball, well enough to get back to the fastball.”
Added Mansfield: “I told these guys at the start of the summer that I think they’re going to be a fun group to coach, and so far it’s been that way. But we’re still trying to make some adjustments as we go.”
Mansfield said he was disappointed that his squad was not more aggressive on the base paths.
“I don’t know if their catcher has arm issues, if he’s sore, but he struggled throwing the ball to second base,” said the veteran coach. “If you’ve got a guy on the bump who has a leg kick, and a (catcher) who can’t throw — it doesn’t matter who you are, we’re going to run. Everybody had a green light tonight.”
On the bump, Griffons starter Brian Archibald struck out eight and walked five, while yielding six hits and three earned runs in 5 2/3 inning of work. Archibald, who took the no-decision, was followed by relievers Pedro Astacio Jr., and Easton Buckley, prior to Norstrom entering with two outs in the top of the ninth. In his first appearance of the season, Keller (1-0) collected the victory.
“Pitching is going to be a fight all season” summed up Mansfield. “I’ve seen it throughout the league, guys struggling to throw strikes. And for us, it’s not a velocity thing, it’s a command issue. We’re trying to do way too much, every single pitch. We need to be locating in, up, out, or down — and forcing guys to put the ball in play.”