JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin Outlaws closed out their home portion of the season with a 12-2 victory over the Fort Smith Marshals on Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium.
The Outlaws struck first in the second inning when Luke Shannahan scored on a wild pitch. They added another run in the third, capitalizing on Fort Smith’s shaky pitching as Ravaughn Morgan crossed the plate on another wild pitch.
Joplin broke the game open in the fourth, scoring three runs, including a sacrifice fly by Morgan and an unearned run due to a throwing error by Marshals’ catcher Cayden Treibt. Andre Jackson II and Mark Ross II exploited their speed, stealing bases and scoring on the miscue.
Joplin’s offense erupted for five runs in the sixth, with Morgan, Murchael Turner, Garrett Springer, Tyler Brodrick, and Jackson Mervosh all contributing to a rally that included four hits and two sacrifice flies. Turner capped the scoring in the seventh with an RBI single, bringing the final tally to 12-2.
Joplin’s Keaton Anderson was stellar on the mound, tossing six innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits, and striking out eight. Marcus Young closed out the game with a scoreless seventh.
Meanwhile, Fort Smith starter Eli Osmon surrendered six runs (four earned) over 4 1/3 innings, walking seven and throwing three wild pitches. Relievers Seth Hubbard and Ty Robinson couldn’t stem the tide, allowing six more runs.
Ravaughn Morgan led the Outlaws’ offense, going 3-for-3 with a double, two sacrifice flies, and two runs scored. Murchael Turner and Jackson Mervosh each added two hits, while Luke Graham drove in two runs.
Joplin is at Fort Smith at 7:05 tonight.