Ozark, Mo. – The Missouri S&T Miners fell short Friday in an elimination game at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, dropping a
9-4 decision to Saint Joseph's on a cool, windy morning at U.S. Ballpark.
The Miners missed a scoring opportunity in the top of the first loading the bases with two outs on a single and back-to-back walks but a groundout to third ended the threat. The Pumas (33-19) jumped on top on in the bottom of the first thanks to a bunt single, a wild pitch and a two out single to left from Riley Benner which scored Martin Napleton from second.
S&T tied the game in the third on a lead-off homer to right center off the bat of
Eli Miller (Shelbyville, IL/Shelbyville). The Miners took the lead in the fifth on a lead-off infield single from
Matt Knickerbocker (Bayfield, CO/Bayfield). Miller moved him to second with a sacrifice.
Kaleb Reid (Smithville, MO/Smithville) then lined out to the shortstop who tried to double off Knickerbocker at second but the throw was wild and Knickerbocker came around to score.
Saint Joseph's regained the lead in the home half of the scoring a pair of runs with two outs. Amir Wright tied the game with a single to right that scored Joe Kenney and then Napleton doubled down the left field line to score Wright.
The Pumas extended their lead in the sixth scoring five times on four hits and an error. Napleton had the big hit in the inning delivering a two-run single back up the middle which made it 8-2. Saint Joseph's added another run on three hits in the eighth.
The Miners scored twice in the ninth. With one out,
Brett Yasui (Mililani, HI/Kamahameha) walked and went to third on a single by
Matt Reschke (Darien, IL/Hinsdale South).
Nathan Volkmann (Liberty, MO/Liberty) drove in Yasui with a groundout to the pitcher. With two outs, Knickerbocker blooped a single down the left field line scoring Reschke on a ball that was almost caught by the shortstop.
Saint Joseph's outhit S&T 12-7 in the contest. Reschke led the Miners with three hits while Miller and Knickerbocker added two hits each. S&T finishes the season with a record of 26-23.
