Encina Tosses Gem in Miners Shutout Loss
Published on June 15, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, IL - The Southern Illinois Miners were shut out 1-0 at Rent One Park on Friday night by the Washington Wild Things despite receiving a tremendous effort on the mound from starter Geno Encina, as a comeback attempt in the ninth inning was snuffed out when John Holland's potential game-winning drive to left-center field was caught on a dive for the final out.
The only run of the game was scored in the top of the first inning by the Wild Things, when Roman Collins' double off of the first base bag scored James Harris and made it 1-0. Encina (1-3) took over from there, and shut down the Washington offense, scattering seven hits and one walk across seven innings of work to tie a career-high while setting a new career-best with nine strikeouts to keep the Miners within a single run.
But the Miners could not get anything going offensively against Wild Things starter Thomas Dorminy (5-1), as the left-hander surrendered only two hits in eight shutout innings. After Michael Starcevich completed a scoreless pair of innings out of the bullpen, the game went to the bottom of the ninth still 1-0 in favor of Washington.
In the inning, with one out, Chance Shepard walked and Joe Dudek followed with a single. After a throwing error on a fielder's choice grounder to third by Ben Moore put the tying run at third base and the winning run at second base with two outs, Holland lined the first pitch he saw towards the gap in left-center field. He was robbed by Collins, who came up with the ball on a dive to end the game, sending the Miners to their fourth straight defeat at home.
The Miners will try and even the series on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. Austin Dubsky will pitch for the Miners, while Trevor Bradley will throw for Washington.
The Southern Illinois Miners are the Frontier League's winningest franchise since debuting in 2007, winning the 2012 Frontier League Championship as well as division titles in 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the box office at (618) 998-8499. For additional information, visit our website at www.siminers.com.
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