Miners Lose Heartbreaker at Florence
Published on May 30, 2021 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, IL - The Southern Illinois Miners used a three-run sixth inning to take the lead on Sunday night against the Florence Y'Alls, but again saw the home team come back to win late, with Harrison DiNicola's two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning being the difference in a 4-3 loss at Y'Alls Ballpark in Florence.
Neither team was able to get their offense going in the first four innings of the game as Florence starter Jonaiker Villalobos and the Miners' combination of Justin Ferrell and Kaleb Schmidt strung together scoreless frames. The Y'Alls took the lead thanks to a pair of seeing-eye singles in the bottom of the fifth inning, with an RBI hit by Will Baker breaking up the pitcher's duel and putting them up 1-0.
Southern Illinois responded by not only tying the score right away, but taking the lead in the top of the sixth. Craig Massey led off by reaching base, then stole second base and moved to third on a subsequent error by catcher Jackson Pritchard. With two outs in the inning, Ryan Stacy then beat out an infield hit to score Massey and tie the game at 1-1. One pitch later, Luke Mangieri gave the Miners the lead with his second home run of the series, a two-run jack that made it 3-1 Southern Illinois.
Yet again, Florence responded against Schmidt in the bottom of the frame, but only got one run back as the Miners held a 3-2 lead after six innings. After Southern Illinois worked around a leadoff double for a scoreless seventh, however, the Y'Alls were able to make the winning rally against Mitchell Walters (0-1) in the eighth.
Luis Pintor led off by getting hit by a pitch and stole second base. Walters then struck out the next two batters he faced, but after Jose Brizuela reached on a walk, DiNicola hit a fly ball to shallow center field that just barely eluded the gloves of both Massey and Anthony Brocato for the eventual game-winning single. The Miners got the tying run on base in the ninth, but could not tie the score in losing in their Y'Alls' last turn at bat for the second straight night.
Southern Illinois will close out their season-opening road trip with a Memorial Day contest in the series finale against Florence. Tyler Brown will take the ball for the Miners against Florence right-hander Kevin Hahn as they look to avoid a series sweep.
The Southern Illinois Miners are the Frontier League's most-successful 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. In addition, they have sent 59 players to MLB organizations in their 13 years of operation. For ticket information, contact the box office at (618) 998-8499. For additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.
Frontier League Stories from May 30, 2021
- Big Inning Sends Boomers to Second Straight - Schaumburg Boomers
- Miners Lose Heartbreaker at Florence - Southern Illinois Miners
- Late Heroics Lift Y'alls to Fourth Straight Win to Begin 2021 Campaign - Florence Y'alls
- Lake Erie held to one hit in a 1-0 loss - Lake Erie Crushers
- Washington Holds Lake Erie to One Hit in Win - Washington Wild Things
- Jackals Use Six-Run Sixth to Down Boulders - New York Boulders
- Boulders Rained Out - New York Boulders
- Jackals Six Run Sixth Inning Provides Fireworks - New Jersey Jackals
- Otters Split Doubleheader to Open 2021 Home Schedule - Evansville Otters
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