Menu
Mayberry’s four RBI power red-hot Griffons past Outlaws, 6-2
JOPLIN, Mo. — A slow start to the season now seems like a distant memory as the Nevada Griffons have won four consecutive games and moved into sole possession of first place in the MINK South division.
The Griffons latest triumph came Monday night on the road as they defeated the last-place Joplin Outlaws, 6-2, to push their record to 10-9.
The Griffons were powered by Zion Mayberry, as the scorching hot right fielder drove in four runs. Mayberry broke open a close contest in the top of the ninth, clubbing a three-run homer to left field to hand Nevada a four-run advantage.
Griffons closer David Ruot entered in the bottom of the ninth and promptly slammed the door on the Outlaws.
Nevada starter Bailey Smith was sharp, as the southpaw from Pell City, Alabama fanned seven, while allowing just one earned run in six frames of work.
Early innings
The Griffons jumped on top early as shortstop Josh Bristyan led off the contest with a double, and was plated by Mayberry’s single, handing the Griffons a 1-0 first inning lead.
Nevada went in front 2-0, courtesy of Bristyan’s second inning run-scoring single. The Outlaws sliced into the lead via Kaleb DeLaTorre’s fourth-inning RBI double, as Joplin trailed 2-1.
Nevada struck back in the top of the fifth, as Connor Gage’s sacrifice fly to right plated catcher Lukas Polanco for a 3-1 Griffons cushion.
DeLaTorre, a sweet-hitting second baseman out of Fort Scott (Kan.) H.S., delivered in the eighth, as his RBI single off Griffons reliever Thomas Boothe trimmed Joplin’s deficit to 3-2.
Mayberry then gave Joplin reliever Leonardo Castro a rude welcoming in the ninth, adding three critical insurance runs as he lifted one over the Joe Becker Stadium left field wall for the decisive 6-2 margin. For the reeling Outlaws it was their fifth consecutive defeat.
At the dish Mayberry concluded 2-for-4 with four RBI and a run scored, while Bristyan went 4-for-4 with a pair of runs and an RBI. Bristyan’s perfect day at the plate raised his average to a team-leading .385, while Mayberry upped his to .378 on the season. For the Outlaws DeLaToree led the way at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Smith (2-1) picked up the pitching victory, scattering five hits over six innings. After tossing a clean ninth, Ruot lowered his ERA to a pristine 0.82. Joplin starter Zach Parish was saddled with the loss. Parish (1-2), who sports a 2.62 ERA, allowed three runs (two earned) while walking three and striking out none.
The Griffons were set to return to Lyons Stadium for Tuesday’s rain make-up date with the Clarinda (Iowa) A’s. However the contest, which would have concluded the first half of the 2018 slate, was once again rained out. As of press time Tuesday night an official make-up date had not yet been set.
MINK League ASG
Six Griffons were named to the MINK League South All-Star team:
Bristyan (SS), Mayberry (OF), Domonique Hernandez (OF), and pitchers Ruot, Peyton Warren, and Nick Iossi.
The marquee match-up is slated for 7:05 p.m. tonight at Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin. See Friday’s edition of the Daily Mail for coverage.