Slammers Fall Short In Game One Against Southern Illinois

JOLIET, IL - Baseball returned to DuPage Medical Group Field with game one of three as the Slammers take on the Southern Illinois Miners. To start things off tonight Joliet sent Turner Larkins, a right hander making his first Slammers start, to the hill. The Slammers looked to bring home a victory in their first game back home. A victory would be out of reach as Southern Illinois came out swinging and walked away with a 12-3 win. 

The Miners would strike first with a solo homer by Nolan Earley. The long ball put the Miners on top 1-0. The scoring would continue in the top of the second inning as four more runs were scored by Southern Illinois. A two run long ball by Ian Walters would bring Anthony Brocato home. The Miners would see another homer hit, this time by Jared Mang; the solo homer would be the third of the night for Southern Illinois. An RBI single by Yeltsin Gudino would let Bryant Flete cross the plate giving the Miners a 5-0 lead over the Slammers. 

The bats stayed alive for the Miners as the top of the fourth would see another run scored. An RBI single by Jared Mang allowed Anthony Borcato to score and see Ian Walters advance to third. The top of the fourth would see three more runs put up on the board by Southern Illinois. Two RBIs off of a double by Nolan Earley would see Bryant Flete and Yeltsin Gudino score. Ariel Sandoval would hit an RBI single out to left field scoring Nolan Earley, giving the Miners a commanding 9-0 lead over Joliet. 

The Slammers would chip away at the Miners lead in their at bats in the bottom of the fourth, chalking up a one run. Brian Parreira would ground out to second,  allowing Dylan Hardy to tag up and head home. The tally now sat at 9-1. 

A call to the bullpen in the top of the fifth would see Brett Smith take charge on the hill relieving Larkins. Larkins would see 25 batters during his stint on the mound. 

The bottom of the sixth would see the Slammers put another run on the board. An RBI double from Brylie Ware scored Dylan Hardy. The score now sat at 9-2 as the Slammers chipped away at the Miners lead. 

The top of the eighth inning would see the Slammers sidewinder Keon Taylor take the mound. Taylor would relieve Smith after three innings. Smith would face 11 batters while on the mound. 

Southern Illinois would extend their lead in the top of the eighth putting up one run. Ariel Sandoval would get on first on an error by the Slammers first basemen allowing Yeltsin Gudino to score unearned giving the Miners a 10-2 lead. 

The top of the ninth inning saw the Miners chalk up two more runs. A two run shot by Jared Mang would put the score at 12-2.The Slammers put up 1 run in their turn at bat in the bottom of the ninth. A 5-3 Brylie Ware ground out gave Dylan Hardy time to beat the throw from first base to home. The one run would be too little too late, as the Slammers fell to the Miners 12-3. 

Tonight's 12-3 loss would see the Slammers’ season record sit at 24-44. Southern Illinois now has the series in their favor with tonight's win. Join us for our next  home game on Saturday, August 14th at 6:05 p.m. Saturday's game will be game two of the three game homestand as well as the Scout Sleep Over. 

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