FL Southern Illinois Miners

Miners End Regular Season with Loss, Prep for Playoffs

Published on September 4, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release


MARION, Ill. - The Miners finished the regular season with a 6-4 to the Evansville Otters at Rent One Park, completing a three-game sweep. Evansville's Greg Alexander hit a two-run, pinch hit single with two-outs in the ninth to break a 4-4 tie and give the Otters the win.

Patrick Crider pitched a scoreless eighth inning to earn his fourth win of the season. He also set a Frontier League record by appearing in his 55th game of the season. Ben Shivers returned from the injured list and took his second loss of the season. Mark Willinsky pitched a scoreless ninth for the third game in a row to earn his third save of the season.

After Shivers tossed a perfect, eight-pitch eighth inning, he hit Phillip Britton with one out in the ninth. Troy Frazier singled, and Jared Jordan drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Alexander, who singled up the middle for the game-winner.

The Miners tied the game at four in the fifth inning when Boomer Blanchard drew a walk, and Sean Harrell drove him home with a single up the middle. With the hit, Harrell increased his franchise record streak to 36 straight games of reaching base safely.

The Miners jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. Gordie Gronkowski reached base with a two-out single. The next batter, Matt Fields, slugged a two-run shot to rightfield, his 17th of the season, giving the Miners a two-run lead. Fields finished the regular season tied with Will Block for the team lead in home runs.

Evansville answered right back with tallies in the second and third innings. The Otters scored one in the second inning when Phillip Britton singled with one out. After Britton stole second and third base on consecutive pitches, Steve Caseres doubled him home to cut the Miners lead to 2-1.

The Otters scored three runs in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead. The previous night's starting pitcher, Scott Kelley, drew a walk with one out. The next two hitters, Alex Foltz and Ryan Still, reached base on back-to-back singles. Still's single tied the game at two. Jose Hernandez then drove home Foltz with a sacrifice fly. Caseres followed with a double to score Still, giving Evansville a 4-2 lead.

Ryan Zink made the start for the Miners and was in line for the loss when he left the game after three innings. The righty allowed four runs off five hits, while striking out two and walking one. Southern Illinois trailed, 4-2, when he departed.

Miners designated hitter Gordie Gronkowski tripled to lead off the fourth. Ernie Banks scored him with a RBI double for his 37th RBI of the year, cutting Evansville's lead to 4-3.

Evansville's Matt Zielinski allowed four runs off eight hits in seven innings. The southpaw struck out one and walked two batters in the no-decision. He left with the game tied at four.

The Miners finished the regular season with a record of 58-38, matching their 2008 season for the second most wins in team history.

After two days off, the Miners will begin the 2011 playoffs with a best-of-five series on Wednesday against the Frontier League West Division Champion River City Rascals at 7:05 p.m. at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. Righty David Harden (7-5, 2.88) will be on the mound for Southern Illinois in Game-1 against 2011 Frontier League Pitcher of the Year Josh Lowey (10-2, 2.44). The Miners first home game of the series will be on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7:05 p.m. at Rent One Park.

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