JOPLIN, Mo. (June 2, 2024) — The Sherman Shadowcats faced a 10-3 defeat against the Joplin Outlaws in the final game of their four-game series at Joe Becker Stadium on Saturday night. With this loss, the Shadowcats are now three games behind Joplin in the Mid-America League standings and five games behind the first-place Abilene Flying Bison. Sherman, now 3-5, is on a four-game losing streak and has lost five of their last six games. Joplin clinched the series sweep with this victory and leads the season series against Sherman 5-1. The Shadowcats have yet to win a game on the road.
The game began on schedule at 7:05 p.m. with no weather delays.
Starting pitcher Johnathon Brzezicki (Nichols College) struggled, lasting only 0.2 innings and allowing five runs (four earned) on one hit and six walks, resulting in an ERA of 6.75. Reliever Tyson Woodland (Centenary College of Louisiana) and son of Team Owner Tim Woodland, took over and pitched 7.1 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits, one walk, and striking out four, with an ERA of 6.14. Which for Woodland was only his second time pitching this season, as the last time he pitched before Sherman was back in High School.
Sherman took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Anderson Acinger (LSU Shreveport) advanced to second, and Zach Henry (University of Texas at Arlington) advanced to third on an error, scoring on the play. However, Joplin responded with a major offensive outburst in the bottom of the first inning. Andres Garcia (Goshen College) singled to right field, driving in a run to tie the game at 1-1. Drake Lee (University of Central Oklahoma) grounded into a double play, scoring a run to give Joplin a 2-1 lead. Landin Midgette (Coffeyville Community College) walked, driving in another run, extending the lead to 3-1. Multiple passed balls and a hit-by-pitch allowed Joplin to extend their lead to 5-1.
In the second inning, Carter Mize (Rocky Mountain Vibes) hit a two-run homer, further increasing Joplin’s lead to 7-1.
Sherman managed to score two more runs in the top of the fifth inning. Anderson Acinger singled to left field, driving in Ryan Sessions (Redlands Community College). Dillon Flores (St. Edwards University) grounded into a double play, allowing Henry to score, cutting the deficit to 7-3.
Joplin sealed the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with three more runs. Matthew Persinger doubled to right field, driving in a run. Eric Bacon (Coffeyville Community College) reached on an error, driving in another run. Kahle Good (Cal State Monterey Bay) reached on a fielder’s choice, driving in the final run.
Box Score Highlights:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Runs: 3, Hits: 5, Errors: 1, Left on Base: 9
Joplin Outlaws:
Runs: 10, Hits: 8, Errors: 1, Left on Base: 6
Key Performances:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Ryan Sessions (LF, Redlands Community College): 1-for-4, 1 R
Zach Henry (CF, University of Texas at Arlington): 0-for-2, 2 R, 1 BB
Anderson Acinger (3B, LSU Shreveport): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Dillon Flores (DH, St. Edwards University): 0-for-3, 1 BB, 2 SO
Joplin Outlaws:
Andres Garcia (2B, Goshen College): 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI
Carter Mize (1B, Rocky Mountain Vibes): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR
Matthew Persinger (DH, Lexington, KY): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Lucas Vanlanduit (P, Pittsburg State University): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 8 SO, 0 HR
Next Up:
The Shadowcats will head to Piney Woods to play the Timber Hogs for a two-game series starting Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Sherman aims to capture a win to build momentum for their next series. The team will be back at home on June 6.
Follow our Twitter at @Sherman_M_A for live game updates.
