Joplin earned a 4-1 win in the first game of Tuesday’s twin bill with Texarkana, but lost the second game.

That win also secured the top seed for the Mid-America League postseason.

Game 1

The Outlaws grabbed a run in the first and two in the fourth, and the rest of it was on the shoulders of starting pitcher Webb Fern.

Fern pitched all seven innings, limiting the Rhinos to just one run in the top of the fifth.

Murchael Turner blooped a single into center field to score Tyler Brodrick and put the first run on the scoreboard for the home team.

A single from Ravaughn Morgan in the fourth made it 2-0 as Garrett Springer scored. A throw in from the outfield was cut off by the Rhinos’ shortstop Kelton Klemcke and Klemcke’s throw got past third baseman Jake Gorell, and that allowed Mark Ross to advance home, putting the Outlaws up 3-0.

Ross blasted a solo home run in the sixth inning. His long fly ball bounced once and landed on the roof of the clubhouse before rolling down into the gutters. He was 1 for 1 with two walks and two runs scored in the game.

Josiah Taylor singled for Texarkana in the fifth to score William Wright but that was all the visitors could muster against Fern.

Game 2

Joplin (42-14) had its nine-game win streak ended in Game 2 of the doubleheader as Texarkana (22-33) picked up an 8-1 win.

Typically an outfielder, Andre Jackson II started the nightcap as the Outlaws’ pitcher. He went three innings allowing three runs on six hits and three walks.

The Rhinos tacked on scoring five runs off of Luke Graham in two innings. Jace Midgett pitched the last two frames for the Outlaws and held the opposition scoreless. But the Outlaws’ offense only mustered one run in the first inning and were blanked the rest of the way.

Ben Elder pitched a complete game for Texarkana in the shortened seven-inning contest. He struck out seven batters, allowed five hits and walked one. Elder was efficient using just 99 pitches through seven innings.

Stats

Turner was 4 for 5 in the two games with two RBIs and a walk. One of his hits was a double. Garrett Springer finished 3 for 6 with a double and a run scored.

Jackson was 1 for 3 with a double and run scored in the opener.