By: Jackson Wright
The Fort Scott series wrapped up with a Sunday doubleheader, featuring the completion of Saturday’s suspended Game 2 and the regularly scheduled Game 3. The Outlaws dominated Game 2 with a 15-5 run-rule victory but came up short in Game 3, losing 6-5 after a late comeback attempt.
Game 2: Outlaws Explode for 15-run Mercy Rule Victory
Just like Game 1, the scoring got started early. Outlaws starter, Sullivan Lane, tossed a clean top of the first inning, and the Outlaws wasted no time getting on the board. Following two quick flyouts, Landin Midgett drew a walk and was immediately brought home when Anthony Mazza launched a towering two-run homer, his first of the night.
However, the Rhinos responded in the second inning as they took advantage of several Outlaw mistakes to plate four runs and flip the scoreboard in their favor, 4-2. Lane bounced right back as he recorded a perfect third inning to settle things down.
Then the Outlaws’ offensive explosion began.
In the bottom of the third, Tyler Brodrick was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Midgett to deliver a two-run shot in front of a home-state crowd. Mazza followed that up with his second homer of the night, going back-to-back with Midgett. Mark Ross added to the rally and plated two more on a single. After multiple patient at-bats and bases loaded walks, the Outlaws held a commanding 9-4 lead.
Connor Johnson took the mound for the Outlaws in the fourth and was electric as he struck out the side. However, a few defensive errors allowed the Rhinos to tack on one final run, but the Outlaws’ offense didn’t take their foot off the gas. They added five more runs in the bottom half of the frame, on just one hit. Garrett Springer led off with a double, while Murchael Turner, Ross, and others kept the pressure on with several hit-by-pitches, walks, and stolen bases. Brodrick and Mazza each drove in runs as the lead ballooned to 14-5.
Johnson slammed the door in the fifth with another scoreless frame, setting the table for the walk-off. Ross walked and stole second, and with two outs, Andre Jackson singled him home to trigger the 10-run mercy rule and seal the victory by a score of 15-5.
Game 3: Rhinos Hold on as Outlaws’ Late Rally Falls Short
In the second game of the night, the Rhinos struck first, taking a quick 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly. However, the Outlaws wasted no time taking the lead. Mazza stayed red hot and drove in Andre Jackson on a base hit, and a few batters later, Garrett Springer grounded out to bring in Carson Hilton.
For the next few innings, it was all Texarkana as the Rhinos tallied five unanswered runs in the second and third innings to gain a 6-1 advantage.
Finally, in the fourth inning, the Outlaws’ pitching staff was able to settle in and keep the Rhinos scoreless, but the offense left too many runners on base… until the sixth.
Mazza led off the inning getting hit by a pitch, while Murchael Turner and Ravaughn Morgan both reached on Rhino errors, allowing one run to cross the plate. After Mark Ross walked, bases were loaded for Luke Shannon, who delivered a clutch two-RBI double to bring the Outlaws within 1, trailing 6-5.
Down by one going into the final frame, Hilton got things started with a triple, placing the tying run on third base. Unfortunately, the Outlaws couldn’t bring him home, ending the game just a few feet shy of the comeback.
The split doubleheader brings the Outlaws’ record to 30-10, with the Rhinos moving to 13-25.
The Outlaws return to Joe Becker Stadium for a mid-week series against the Fort Smith Marshals. The series will take place from July 15th to 17th. Tuesday and Thursday’s first pitch will be 7:05 pm. Wednesday will feature a doubleheader, with the first game starting at 6 pm and the second game to follow.
Stay tuned to Outlaws’ social media for the latest information!
