Seven-run ninth sends Renegades past Griffons for playoff win

NEVADA - The Jefferson City Renegades were three outs from ending the season in the first round of the MINK League playoffs Wednesday.

Unlike last season, Jefferson City found a way to avoid an early exit.

The Renegades scored seven runs in the top of the ninth inning, rallying past the Nevada Griffons for an 11-7 win to advance to the South Division championship game.

Jefferson City (20-23), the No. 3 seed in the division, will play the top-seeded Ozark Generals (25-16) at 7 p.m. tonight at Meador Park in Springfield. The winner of that game will advance to the best-of-3 MINK League championship series, which begins Friday.

Down 6-4 entering the top of the ninth, Jady Reese singled to start the inning for the Renegades and then advanced to third on Justin McIntyre's double, putting the tying run in scoring position.

The next batter, Quincy Jones, lined a one-out single up the middle, scoring both Reese and McIntyre to tie the game at 6.

After Austin Blazevic was intentionally walked, Tyler Bracht put the Renegades ahead with a single that scored Jones. Jordan Smith then hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Blazevic to make the score 8-6.

Following a walk to Mike Million, Marquise Doherty gave Jefferson City plenty of insurance with a three-run home run to left field. Doherty's fourth homer of the season gave Jefferson City a five-run lead.

Nevada, however, found a way to make things interesting in the bottom of the ninth.

Renegades pitcher Jeremy Hidalgo gave up back-to-back hits to start the ninth inning and allowed a one-out walk to load the bases. After getting a flyout for the second out, Hidalgo hit Wesley Powell with a pitch, forcing in a run and bringing the tying run to the plate.

Daniel Lloyd relieved Hidalgo and needed just four pitches to finish the game, getting Zion Mayberry to strike out looking to end the game and leave the bases loaded.

The Griffons left 13 runners on base.

Jefferson City scored two runs in the top of the second and another run in the third to lead 3-1. Mike Million hit a solo home run to left field in the sixth, his team-high seventh blast of the season, to put the Renegades back on top 4-3.

Nevada scored twice in the seventh to take its first lead of the game, then added another run in the eighth to take a 6-4 advantage.

Matthew Wade started on the mound for the Renegades. He went five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Hidalgo picked up the win, giving up one run in one inning of relief.

Blazevic and Reese each had two singles, while Doherty had a team-high three RBI.

In Wednesday's other MINK League playoff game, the Clarinda A's went on the road to win 5-4 against the St. Joseph Mustangs.

Clarinda will play at 10 p.m. tonight at the Sedalia Bombers for the North Division championship.