Joplin baseball falls to Glendale in extra innings
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Joplin High School Eagles fell victim to late-game heroics by Glendale High School’s Alex McCauley, who helped the Falcons to a 5-4 walk-off win in the bottom of the eighth Tuesday at GHS. Tied at 4-4 heading into the bottom of the frame, McCauley hit a bunt up the middle and plated Kaden Tuhey to claim the 5-4 win.
Both teams could not get a run across in the first two innings, but the Falcons (11-5) drove in two runs in the bottom of the third off a Brady Yates triple to center field that plated Grayson Biggers and Kyle Julian. The Eagles (7-4) managed to tie the game at 2 in the top of the fourth. Chaston Coleman scooted home on a Falcon infield error and Jensen Stout hit a line drive triple to center that scored John Jasper.
Joplin claimed a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth, courtesy of a two-out Isaac Yust single to center that brought Layne Royle home. Glendale got that run back in the bottom of the frame when Reed Jackson hit a line drive single to left that scored Julian and tied the game at 3. The Falcons reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Beau West scored on a fielder’s choice.
The Eagles tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the seventh when Royle scored on a passed ball. The Joplin defense held in the bottom of the frame to force an extra inning before McCauley’s walk-off single in the bottom of the eight. Royle and Jasper both finished 2 for 3 with a run each for the Eagles.
Joplin starter David Bhend gave up four runs (two earned) in six hits while striking out six and walking two in 5 1/3 innings. Julian led the Falcons at the plate, finishing 2 for 4 with two runs. Yates earned the win after giving up one run on no hits.