By MATT PIKE
The St. Joseph Mustangs fell at home to the Joplin Jailbirds to start a three game homestand heading into the Independence Day holiday, losing 12-8, unable to overcome a six run sixth inning by the Jailbirds.
The Mustangs took the lead first in the game, first scoring in the second inning on an RBI single by Tyler Gundelfinger that drove in Missouri Western's Seth Winkler, before adding to their lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run by Lafayette alum Jayden Little, putting St. Joseph up 2-0 after four innings. In the fifth, Joplin put up the six run frame, cutting the lead to one with an RBI single, then tying the game on a sacrifice fly.
A double drove in two more runs to give the Jailbirds a 4-2 lead, moving another runner to third base, and a two RBI single brought home the final two runs, clearing the bases. In the sixth Joplin added two more runs with an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, quickly pulling ahead 8-2 at the end of six innings after taking the lead away from the Mustangs. St. Joseph though was not done just yet, attempting to battle back despite the six run deficit.
The Mustangs scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Benton alum Chris Coy's RBI single drove in Gundelfinger. Coy advanced to second base on an error, and with Carter Belton at third, wild pitches brought home both Coy and Belton to put St. Joseph down 8-5. Joplin got two runs back in the top half of the eighth inning with with two RBI singles, before the Mustangs scored three more runs in the bottom half of the inning.
With two outs, and after back-to-back walks to Carson Hintz and Belton, Coy hit the second home run of the game, a three run shot that cut the Jailbirds lead to 10-8. Joplin added their final two runs in the ninth with an RBI double and an RBI single. In the bottom half of the inning, Little and Winkler grounded out before Missouri Western's Micah Kobuszewski popped out to end the game.
Central alum Owen Foster pitched 4.2 innings giving up five runs on nine hits with a strikeout and two walks for the loss. West Platte alum Jaxon Turner threw two innings of relief giving up two runs on three hits, while Winkler also threw an inning giving up four hits and two runs while striking out one.
At the plate, Coy was 2-for-5 with the home run and four RBI's. Bishop LeBlond alum Frank Gall was the only other Mustangs hitter with multiple hits going 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a walk. Little was 1-for-4 with the home run, an RBI, and a walk.
The Mustangs are now 12-12 on the season, 9-11 in the MINK League, and stay home on Friday to host the Chillicothe Mudcats. First pitch is at 7pm. Special postgame fireworks will follow the game.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.