Once up 10-1, Renegades fall to Outlaws

JOPLIN - Leading 10-1 halfway through Tuesday's game against the Joplin Outlaws, it appeared the Jefferson City Renegades were about to snap their four-game losing streak.

Instead, Joplin pulled off one of the most improbable victories of the MINK League season.

The Outlaws came back and scored 10 unanswered runs - keyed by a six-run sixth inning - to beat the Renegades 11-10 at Joe Becker Stadium.

Jefferson City had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the ninth inning, but Joplin pitcher Damian Acosta got a flyout and a strikeout to end the game.

The Renegades led 6-0 before the Outlaws came to bat in the first inning. Logan Haring and Paul Haupt drew back-to-back walks with the bases loaded, while Peyton Leeper followed with a two-run single. Haupt scored on a sacrifice fly and Leeper scored on a single by Austin Fennewald to wrap up the scoring in the big inning.

Jefferson City added two more runs in each of the third and fifth innings. Ryan Missal's two-run home run in the fifth put the Renegades ahead 10-1.

Starting pitcher Connor McKenna was cruising along through four innings, allowing just one run in the bottom of the first. However, Joplin (17-14, 11-13 MINK League) began its comeback when Alec Capshaw answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth, making the score 10-3.

Capshaw added a two-run double in the sixth, chasing McKenna from the game. By the end of the inning, the Outlaws were trailing by one run.

Ryan Lorber scored on an error in the seventh to tie the game at 10 and Donovan Sutti's RBI single in the eighth completed Joplin's comeback, making the score 11-10.

The Renegades hit a single and drew two walks in the ninth but were unable to score the tying run.

Leeper and Missal each finished with a single and a double to lead the Renegades at the plate.

McKenna received a no-decision, giving up seven runs on 10 hits with two walks and five strikeouts in five-plus innings. Christian Thrasher took the loss, allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth in his one inning of relief.

Jefferson City (14-15, 10-15 MINK League) plays at 7 p.m. today at Joplin to conclude the two-game series.