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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing sticks stay sizzling

June 30, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities hammered out a season-high 16 runs on a season-high 21 hits Thursday night, on their way to a 16-8 blowout victory over South Bend at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium. A five-run, seven-hit sixth inning put the game out of reach, as Quad Cities sent eight batters to the plate and scored five runs before recording the first out of the frame.

Already leading 8-4, Rick Ankiel opened up the sixth frame by singling off Silver Hawks starter Chris Kinsey, and Eric Verbryke promptly chased him from the game with a double to right. Facing reliever Corby Medlin, Spencer Wyman then crushed the first ball he saw for a mammoth three-run homer over the berm in right field. After a Jake Mullinax single and a Mike Ferris walk, Nick Stavinoha, Calvin Hayes, and Matt Shepherd slapped back-to-back-to-back singles to stretch the lead to 13-4. Juan Lucena then struck out for the first out in the inning, but not before five runs had crossed the plate on five singles, one double, one home run, and a walk.

The Swing had jumped out to a quick lead, scoring twice in the top of the first inning. Lucena singled and then Ankiel doubled down the right field line. Verbryke dropped an RBI single into right, and then Jake Mullinax had a two-out infield single to shortstop for an early 2-0 Swing advantage.

Quad Cities added two more runs in the top of the second inning. Shepherd ripped a double to left-center, and then Lucena had his second hit of the game to move baserunners to the corners. Ankiel followed with a sacrifice fly, and Verbryke's two-out single plated Lucena for a 4-0 Swing lead.

South Bend got a run back in the bottom half of the inning, as Cesar Nicolas was hit by a pitch and scored on back-to-back singles from Mark Reynolds and Alberto Gonzalez.

But the Swing broke it open with four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Ankiel started the rally with a walk, Wyman singled to right, and Mullinax grounded a single to center to score the first run of the frame. Ferris then doubled over the head of center fielder Jereme Milons to score Wyman, and a wild pitch brought Mullinax home. Hayes capped the rally with a sacrifice fly for an 8-1 Swing lead.

The Silver Hawks got three runs back in the bottom of the fifth inning, on an RBI double from Milons and a two-run single from Agustin Murillo. While it looked as though they were scrapping their way back into the game, that was as close as they would get.

Quad Cities added a run in the eighth inning, and led 14-6 heading into the ninth. In the final frame five Swing hitters reached base before an out was recorded - four via the walk - as they added two more runs to the lead. Though the Silver Hawks tried to mount a comeback in the bottom half, after two runs their rally was quelled.

Matt Scherer (4-5) got the win for the Swing, allowing four runs on six base hits. The win was Scherer's second straight win, as he has now worked six or more innings in eight of his last nine starts.

For South Bend it was Chris Kinsey (0-1) taking the loss, making his first Midwest League start of the season in his third stint with the Silver Hawks after spending the first half in the Class A-Advanced California League.

Shepherd finished the day 4-for-6 with a walk, and Ferris also reached base five times on the strength of two doubles and three free passes. Every Swing player who came to the plate reached base, and everybody who played either scored a run or drove one in.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Silver Hawks continue the series on Friday night, as the Swing send Kyle McClellan (1-3, 4.56) to the mound against Ross Ohlendorf (5-5, 4.71). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 6:45.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND: The Swing begin an eight-game homestand with Fourth of July Fireworks on Monday night, sponsored by WOC, WFXN and KWQC-TV6. Promotions during the homestand include a 97 Rock/Hooters Beverage Night, a noon start for Kids Day on Thursday, another fireworks show on Friday night, and the 2005 Swing Baseball Card Set giveaway on Saturday. Tickets are available for all Swing games by calling (563) 328-2000.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 30, 2005


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