FL Joliet Slammers

Slammers Use Rookie Ball for Independence Day Victory

Published on July 4, 2013 under Frontier League (FL)
Joliet Slammers News Release


(Joliet, IL) - It was a game of firsts for the Joliet Slammers (18-24) in the rubber game against the Frontier Greys (15-26).

Rookie Matt Dillon (1-1) picked up his first professional victory after the right-handed pitcher tossed six innings with nine strikeouts and first-year-pro Grant DeBruin sealed Dillon's victory after crushing his first career home run in the sixth inning, giving the Slammers a 2-1 rubber match win over the Greys.

For the third time in the series, Joliet jumped out to an early lead in the second inning with Nick Akins scoring the game's first run on an RBI double from Seth Schwindenhammer.

The double gave the Joliet right fielder four hits in the series and four runs batted in; however Schwindenhammer was ejected to end the fourth inning after arguing over a strike call.

Dillon continued to dominate on the other side for Joliet as the rookie from Mount Olive College struck out the side in the top of the third. In the fifth inning though the Greys would tie the ballgame up.

Blake Bergeron led off the frame with a single then stole second to put himself in scoring position for the Greys. Justin Vasquez struck out for out number one, and then Bergeron moved over to third base on a groundout to first by Luis Parache, bringing up Justin McDavid who would need a two out single to drive Bergeron home.

Dillon nearly pitched out of the jam because he got McDavid to chase strike three in the dirt; however the ball bounced away from catcher Ben Hewett all the way to the backstop allowing Bergeron to score and tying the game at one.

The Greys almost took the lead in the frame with McDavid running for home on a ball hit to left by Alvaro Ramirez, but Ben Hewett made up for dropping the third strike on McDavid by catching the throw from Jared Yakubik wide of home plate, diving back to the dish and just getting McDavid out at home.

The game would remain tied at 1-1 until the sixth inning.

Grant DeBruin stepped to the plate with one down and nobody on in the sixth and after waiting 41 games DeBruin launched his first home run over the left field wall to retake the lead for Joliet.

The one run advantage was all Joliet needed because they received shutout performances from Lucas Goodgion in the seventh, Chase Doremus in the eighth and Justin Erasmus remained perfect in save opportunities at nine for nine with the native of Australia slamming the door in the ninth inning.

The Slammers immediately hit the road tomorrow to take on the Southern Illinois Miners on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

Evan Anundsen (4-4, 5.31) gets the call for Joliet in game one as he will face the undefeated Blake Nation (5-0, 2.71) for the Miners. All of Friday's action can be heard on 1340 WJOL and online at wjol.com with the pre game show starting at 6:50 p.m.

Single game tickets, season tickets, loaded ticket packages and group outings for the 2013 season are available now by calling 815-722-2287. Click here to download the team's complete 2013 schedule, click here for the full promotional schedule and click here to buy single game tickets. To stay up to date on the latest news, make sure to like the Slammers on Facebook and follow them on Twitter .

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Frontier League Stories from July 4, 2013


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