Third inning not a charm for Nevada in O'Dell opener

CARTHAGE, Mo. -- A disastrous third inning in which Nevada committed three errors resulted in seven Monett runs as the Cubs defeated the Tigers 9-4 Tuesday in the first round of the Bill O'Dell Baseball Tournament.

Nevada led 4-2 going into the bottom of the third when Monett took advantage of the three Tiger miscues by also hitting a triple and an inside-the-park home run.

"That's part of baseball," Nevada head coach Jared Brown said of the third. "You've just got to learn from it and keep playing."

The big inning chased starter Brett Clark and ushered in reliever Jerrod Alexander, who after struggling at first, settled down to pitch three consecutive scoreless innings to finish the game.

"Brett threw well," Brown said. "He got the ball up a few times, but he did a good job."

Nevada committed five errors in the game but still had a chance to get back in it in during the fourth and sixth innings.

Both times the Tigers had runners at second and third with two outs and Alexander at the plate.

In the fourth inning, Alexander hit a line drive to right field, right at the Cubs outfielder.

In the sixth, Alexander grounded out to end Nevada's final threat.

"We're hitting the ball to all fields in the park," Brown said. "We're just unlucky."

After giving up two runs on two errors in the bottom of the first, Nevada scored three in the second.

Jordan Kerbs reached on a Monett error (one of five the Cubs committed). Kyle Hughes followed with a single and after Dakota Bright walked to load the bases, Cody Thompson walked to force in a run.

Justin Reed continued his hot hitting with a two-run single to left, giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead.

In the top of the third Nevada scored again. Hughes hit a two-out double down the left field line. Chris Eador grounded back to the pitcher and two errors later Hughes scored to make it 4-2.

The Tigers moved to the consolation bracket in the tournament, where they will face hosting Carthage Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Carthage lost their first-round game against Seneca Tuesday, 7-1.

"We'll play better next game," Brown promised.