Homerun Derby Win for Slammers

JOLIET, IL - As the final game of the Slammers/Boomers series got under way, right hander Cam Aufderheide took to the bump with eyes set on a series win for Joliet. The Joliet crew was on the hunt for a series win against the Boomers. After some clutch hitting late in the game to bring the game into extra innings, the Slammers prevailed in the first ever Frontier League home run derby at DuPage Medical Group Field. 

Schaumburg put up the first run of the game in the top of the second inning, as Angelo Gumbs would come home off a sacrifice fly by Nick Oddo putting the score at 1-0. The Boomers would strike again two innings later, scoring two more runs. An RBI single by Clint Hardy would bring Angelo Gumbs home, and another RBI single by Alec Craig would allow Nick Oddo to cross the plate. The two runs would extend the Boomers’ lead to 3-0. 

In the top of the seventh inning the Slammers would call to the bullpen and send right hander Chris Roycroft to the mound to relieve Aufderheide. Aufderheide would face 29 batters and allow only eight hits. 

The Slammers chipped away at the Boomers lead in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single from Alonzo Jones bringing home Patrick Causa from second base, slimming the score to 3-1 as the game headed into the top of the eighth.  

What followed after holding Schaumburg scoreless in the top half was a huge eighth inning for Joliet as they tied the game up with 2 RBI’s from Patrick Causa off a double down the left field line bringing home Kyle Jacobsen from third and Lane Baremore, who was hit by a pitch from first. The tally was 3-3 going into the top of the ninth inning. 

The top of the ninth inning would see Slammers shutdown man Trevor Charpie take the hill. Roycroft would see two innings pitched and 7 batters faced with 4 strikeouts. Charpie had the save in last night's game, and came in looking to keep the score even. He was successful, and Joliet had an opportunity to walk off in the 9th. 

The bottom of the ninth was full of suspense as Braxton Davidson took a ball all the way to the warning track with two outs, and was only inches away from a huge walk off homerun, but fell just short. 

A home run derby would decide the game after a scoreless tenth inning. Clint Hardy would lead off hitting zero over the fence. The Slammers own Braxton Davidson would put one over the wall to take an early lead. Quincy Nieporte with two bombs to take the lead before Brian Parreiras 2 nukes over the wall, giving Joliet a 3-2 lead. Nick Ames, who had one homer, and Brylie Ware with one bomb. The derby came down to Brylie Ware as the derby was tied at 3 home runs each. Brylie hit a massive walk off home run on his last pitch to give the Slammers the win. Tonight's win gave the series win to the Slammers. Joliet is now 16-27 on the season. 

Join us for the next home game on Friday, July 15th at 7:05 p.m for the next home game which will be the first of three games against the Gateway Grizzlies. Friday's game will be followed by fireworks. 

About the Joliet Slammers: The Joliet Slammers play at DuPage Medical Group Field in downtown Joliet, Illinois.  They will play their 10th season in 2020.  Visit the Slammers online at www.jolietslammers.com or call the office at 815-722-2287 for more information.  Don’t forget to “Like” the Slammers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jolietslammers or follow them on Twitter at @jolietslammers and Instagram at @jolietslammersofficial