SHERMAN, Texas (August 10, 2024) — The Sherman Shadowcats closed out their regular season in dominant fashion, securing an 11-1 win over the Joplin Outlaws on Saturday night at Veterans Field. The game, which ended after seven innings due to the Mid-America League’s run rule, marked the Shadowcats’ first series sweep of the year. With the victory, Sherman heads into the playoffs with momentum as they prepare to face the Abilene Flying Bison on Tuesday.
Sherman wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. Left fielder Ryan Sessions (Redlands Community College) was hit by a pitch, forcing in a run, and shortstop Tanner Reaves (Trinity University) followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring designated hitter Easton Ford (Redlands Community College) to give the Shadowcats an early 2-0 lead.
The Outlaws responded in the second inning with a single to center by designated hitter Levi Masloski (No Last Team) that brought home second baseman Kahle Good (Cal State Monterey Bay), cutting the deficit to 2-1. However, that would be the only run the Outlaws could muster as Sherman’s pitching dominated the rest of the game.
The Shadowcats broke the game open in the third inning, scoring six runs on a combination of walks, a hit-by-pitch, and timely hitting. First baseman Korson Hastings (Trinity University) drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in Ford, followed by catcher Cole Carnes (Fort Scott Community College) and center fielder Sandry Hernandez (Rockies DSL) each reaching base via a walk and a hit-by-pitch, respectively, extending the lead to 8-1. Sherman’s aggressive baserunning and Joplin’s fielding miscues helped add to their advantage, with Carnes scoring on a wild pitch to make it 9-1 by the end of the fourth inning.
Sherman’s starter, right-hander Harrison Babbitt (No Last Team), delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching five innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits while striking out five. Reliever Ethan Nixon (Austin College) closed the game with two scoreless innings, giving up only one hit and striking out one.
The game concluded in the seventh inning with Sherman comfortably ahead 11-1, as the run rule was enforced, ending the game early and capping off a successful regular season for the Shadowcats.
Box Score Highlights:
Sherman Shadowcats: 11 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors
Joplin Outlaws: 1 Run, 4 Hits, 2 Errors
Key Performances:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Ryan Sessions (RF, Redlands Community College): 1-for-1, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 2B
Harrison Babbitt (P): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO
Joplin Outlaws:
Levi Masloski (DH): 2-for-3, 1 RBI
Kahle Good (2B, Cal State Monterey Bay): 1-for-1, 1 R, 2 BB
Up Next:
The Cats are headed to the playoffs, hosted by the MAL’s #1-seeded Flying Bison, in Abilene. The playoffs are set to start on August 13th. Sherman is yet to know who they will face as standings could still shake up on the final day of play for the MAL.
Listen to ALL MAL Playoff Games live at Shadowcats.mixlr.com
Follow us on Twitter at @Sherman_M_A for live game updates.
