JOPLIN, Mo. (May 31, 2024) – The Sherman Shadowcats lost 5-3 to the Joplin Outlaws in the second game of a four-game series at Joe Becker Stadium on Friday night. With this loss, the Shadowcats are now a full game behind Joplin in the Mid-America League standings in fourth place and four games behind the first-place Abilene Flying Bison. You can view the full league standings here.
The game began on schedule at 7:05 p.m. with no weather delays. Starting on the mound for the Shadowcats was Cody Hill (Frank Phillips College), who struggled through four innings. Hill gave up five hits, four runs (three earned), four walks, and struck out four batters, ending with an ERA of 12.00.
The Outlaws struck early in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of an error by Shadowcats catcher Cayden Earnhart (East Texas Baptist University) that allowed infielder Cole Hill (Northwestern State University) to score. Gabe Russell (Rogers State) then hit a double, bringing home Carter Mize (Rocky Mountain Vibes) to give Joplin a 2-0 lead.
The next score came in the bottom of the fourth inning when Mize singled, bringing in two more runners and extending the Outlaws’ lead to 4-0. This prompted the Shadowcats to bring in relief pitcher Tyler Carnes (Fort Scott Community College) in the fifth inning. Carnes performed well, pitching three innings, giving up three hits, one run, and striking out five with an ERA of 4.50.
Sherman finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. Alex Rangel (Dallas College Brookhaven) grounded out to third base, earning two RBIs as Earnhart advanced to second, Easton Ford (Redlands Community College) advanced to third and then scored, and Anderson Acinger (LSU Shreveport) also scored. This made the score 4-2 heading into the seventh inning.
The Outlaws responded in the bottom of the seventh, scoring one more run to make it 5-2. The Shadowcats added a final run in the ninth inning when Ford reached first on an error by the third baseman, allowing Zach Henry (UT Arlington) to advance to second and Ryan Sessions (Redlands Community College) to score an unearned run.
Despite the loss, Sherman hit just one less ball than Joplin and committed two fewer errors. Both teams left 11 runners on base, highlighting the missed opportunities on both sides. Sherman also ended the night with three stolen bases coming from Sessions and Henry.
Box Score Highlights:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Runs: 3
Hits: 7
Errors: 3
Left on Base: 11
Stolen Bases: 3 (Ryan Sessions, Zach Henry (2))
Joplin Outlaws:
Runs: 5
Hits: 8
Errors: 4
Left on Base: 11
Stolen Bases: 1 (Cole Hill)
Key Shadowcat Player Performances:
Zach Henry (CF): 2-for-3, 1 BB, 2 SB
Anderson Acinger (3B): 1-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI
Alex Rangel (SS): 2-for-4, 1 RBI
Ryan Sessions (LF): 1-for-5, 1 R, 1 SB
Tyler Carnes (P): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR, 4.50 ERA
The Shadowcats, now 3-4, will look to bounce back as they take on Joplin again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. in game three of the series.
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