By: Jackson Wright
The Outlaws defeated the TimberHogs 8-2 on Saturday to take game two of the series and improve to 6-1 on the season.
Scoring began in the second inning when former Outlaw, Drake Lee, singled up the middle, advanced to second on a passed ball, and came around to score on Olivia Pitcharco’s RBI single, giving Piney Woods an early 1-0 lead.
The Outlaws responded immediately. Finn Kaiyala reached on a single but was retired when Blake Wilson grounded into a fielder’s choice. With two outs, Murchael Turner, Sam Slagle, and Mark Ross delivered three consecutive hits to put the Outlaws ahead 3-1.
After both teams were quiet in the third, the TimberHogs trimmed the lead to 3-2 when Aramis Cruz walked and later scored on a wild pick-off attempt at third base.
The Outlaws extended their lead in the fifth. Tyler Brodrick doubled with one out, and with two outs, Kaiyala brought him home with a double of his own. Maverick Williamson then singled to center, allowing Kaiyala to score, making it 5-2 Outlaws heading to the sixth.
The sixth inning had all the makings of a big rally. Sam Slagle and Ravaughn Morgan reached base on slowly hit balls, and Tyler Brodrick was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Luke Graham. Graham drove a deep fly ball to the warning track, but centerfielder Olivia Pitchardo was there to make the catch, retiring the Outlaws’ sixth inning chances with a score of 5-2.
The eighth inning saw the Outlaws capitalize on multiple TimberHogs miscues to score three more runs. Mark Ross got things started when he hit a deep fly ball the was dropped by the right fielder, allowing him to reach third. Pinch hitter Jace Midgett drew a walk, and during his attempt to steal second, a low throw allowed Ross to score. After Brodrick walked and Graham reached on catcher’s interference, Kaiyala stepped up with the bases loaded and no outs. He lifted a sacrifice fly to score another run.
With runners on the corners, the Outlaws pulled off a risky play, sending Graham in motion. The move worked, and Brodrick crossed the plate just before Graham was tagged out, pushing the Outlaws’ lead to 8-2.
Outlaws’ pitching was steady all night. Starter Conner Johnson, a rightly from Oral Roberts, picked up the win with six strong innings, allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out three. Kayler Darnell followed with two scoreless frames, and Marcus Young closed the game by striking out the side in the ninth.
Piney Woods falls to 1-7 on the season. The series concludes tomorrow, June 1st, where the kids can run the bases after the game. Get your tickets now at https://joplinoutlaws.com, and follow the Outlaws on social media for all the latest updates.
