Griffons saved by mid-game rainout

(Above) What started as some mildly threatening clouds turned into a downpour, complete with thunder and lightening, suspending the Griffons game against the Clarinda A's in the fourth inning. The storm that innundated Lyons Stadium later generated a doppler radar-indicated tornado in Cedar County. --Photos by Ralph Pokorny/Herald-Tribune

The Nevada Griffons made their return to Lyons Stadium Friday night in a rematch from earlier in the week against the A's of Clarinda, Iowa. The Griffons came into the night looking for revenge after Tuesday night's trip to Clarinda resulted in a 9-3 loss.

Mother Nature had other ideas, however, as the Griffons found themselves in the midst of a very heavy thunderstorm that developed right over the ballpark during the middle innings. Griffons fans didn't leave the park overly upset at the rainout, however, as the A's had a 7-2 lead when play was stopped.

Before the night's action got under way, Heartland Behavioral Health Services CEO Mike Ham threw out a ceremonial first pitch. Heartland sponsored the game, giving all fans free admission and door prizes as they entered the ballpark.

The A's got on the board early in the contest as starter Cletus Jessup had some early struggles, giving up a two-run home run to Greg Najac -- the 17th homer of the year surrendered by Griffons pitching. The Griffons have struggled with giving up home runs all year long and that was the second home run of the year for Najac against Griffons pitching, as he was one of two players to hit back-to-back home runs in the game at Clarinda.

Griffons center fielder Taylor House catches a fly ball in the third inning of Friday's game against Clarinda.

Jessup was able to get out of the inning with no further damage, but not before the A's jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. The Griffons came to bat for the first time already having to work their way out of a hole, but A's starter Tony Cingrani had other ideas as he put Nevada down in order.

Jessup was quickly able to gather his bearings and put the A's down in order, giving the Griffons another chance to claw their way back into the game.

The Griffons threatened to do just that in the home half of the second and John Lee hit a line drive double to center field to get into scoring position with just one out, but he was ultimately stranded at third as the A's were able to get out of the inning with no damage.

Jessup and his defense were able to get things much more under control from that point on, but the A's did add one more insurance run to their lead in the top of the third on a controversial play. Third baseman Kalab Evans hit what most everyone in the park -- fans and players alike -- believed to be a groundout to third, but the base umpire gave the safe call, allowing a run to score.

Clarinda was able to thoroughly open up a comfortable advantage just three batters later as Mike Gaston hit the second home run of the night for the A's -- a grand slam over the fence in right field. That brought the final total in the inning to five runs and gave Clarinda a 7-0 lead heading into the home half of the third.

B. J. Misialek got the Griffons' second hit of the night in the third inning, but that was followed by a scary moment for everyone on the field. Clarinda second baseman Mike Fuda went down on the play with an apparent ankle injury and had to be carried off the field, not to return to the game.

Fuda was ultimately taken to a hospital, but no further updates on his condition or the severity of his injury were readily available.

Griffons shortstop Jason Houston catches a fly in the third inning of Friday's game.

The Griffons were eventually able to cut into the A's lead in the frame as Taylor House hit a booming home run of his own into the trees behind the left field fence. That homer came with John Wagle on first base, giving the Griffons two runs to cut the deficit to 7-2 heading into the fourth.

The A's went down in order in the home half of the fourth inning, but Mother Nature didn't allow the game to get much further than that. The rains came in very lightly at first, but two batters into the home half of the inning, the ball began to slip out of Cingrani's hand, forcing a delay in the action.

Very shortly after the players left the field for their respective dugouts, the rain gained still more intensity and was accompanied by strong winds as well, leading to the very speedy formation of large puddles all across the infield. The rain eventually let up, but not before the field became what members of the Griffons staff called "one big lake" and the game was officially called off with the A's leading 7-2.

No word of any possible make-up date was available as of Friday night, but being only the fourth inning, the game cannot be called official until make-up arrangements can be made and fulfilled.

The two teams have the option of setting a date and continuing the game from the point at which the rain came, or simply wiping the four innings that were already played out of the books and starting over. Any information on what will be done and when will be reported as soon as it becomes available.

The Griffons are scheduled to get back into action on Sunday as they head back out on the road to square off against the Sedalia Bombers for the second time this season, once again hoping to avenge and earlier loss.