Joplin's Jensen Stout delivered the go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning and the visiting Eagles held on for a 4-3 win Friday against St. Mary's Colgan baseball at historic Jaycee Ballpark.
Stout had four RBI, including a three-run triple, when Joplin defeated Pittsburg 13-2 back on April 16.
The Panthers jumped out strong Friday with two runs in the first and one in the second. Carston Simmons hit a two-run double and Jayden Brown an RBI single to help propel the Panthers to a 3-0 lead.
Joplin (Mo.) pitchers John Jasper, Jaxon Landis and David Bhend held Colgan scoreless the last five innings, leaving the door open for the Eagles' comeback.
Landis and Bhend earned the win and the save, respectively. Landis allowed no runs on no hits with one strikeout and one walk over two innings. Bhend allowed no runs on no hits and worked through one walk in the seventh.
The Panthers almost had a perfect start in the seventh. Lane Stultz, one of their fastest runners, worked a five-pitch walk leading off against Bhend. Then, during one pitch, that all changed.
Top of the order Brown, arguably Colgan's best bunter, stepped to the plate with no outs and the speedy Stultz at first. Brown took the second pitch from Bhend high, but unfortunately for the Panthers, Joplin catcher Daniel Rose caught Stultz in motion halfway between first and second base and made a perfect throw to eventually pick off Stultz in a rundown.
Momentum changed once again.
Four pitches later, Brown grounded out to second baseman Hayden Wolf for the second out. Then, on the first pitch from Bhend, Brady Badart grounded out to Jasper to end the game.
Brock Radell took a no-decision for Colgan and he allowed three runs (all earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks over five innings. Brady Crossland took the loss with one run (earned) on two hits and no strikeouts and one walk during two innings.
Colgan dropped to 13-7 on the season and Joplin ended the Panthers' winning streak at three. They closed out the regular season Monday at home with Iola, their sixth home game in a row.
It will be seven consecutive home games for the defending Class 2-1A state champions, since they earned the No. 3 seed in 2-1A Regional 3 and the right to host No. 14 Oswego (4-15) on Thursday.
Joplin, meanwhile, finished the week 16-13 overall after splitting games Saturday against fellow Missouri schools Smithville (2-1 win) and Marshfield (7-5 loss). The Eagles went 3-2 during their five games in four days.
Joplin 002 002 0 — 4 6 1
Colgan 210 000 0 — 3 6 0
John Jasper, Jaxon Landis (5), David Bhend (7) and Daniel Rose; Brock Radell, Brady Crossland (6) and Carston Simmons. W: Landis. L: Crossland. SV: Bhend. 2B—JHS: Jacob Porter; SMC: Simmons.
This sports reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/fund/support-local-journalism-project-fund/
