MULTIPLE TEAMS SWEEP AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND

Schaumburg vs Gateway

The Gateway Grizzlies (18-18) defeated the Schaumburg Boomers (15-19) by a final score of 6-3.

Brett Milazoo started things off for the Boomers in the top of the third inning on a RBI single to right field. The Grizzlies would tie it in the bottom of the fifth on a Abdiel Diaz solo home run. The Grizzlies would then take the lead on an RBI single to left field by Cesar Trejo, who made his Grizzlies debut. 

The Boomers would fight back to tie the game in the top of the sixth on a Alec Craig solo home run and then take a 3-2 lead on a Clint Hary sac fly RBI.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Jose Rosario tied the game again at three runs a side on an RBI double. The Grizzlies would put their faith in Trejo, their newest addition to the team, in the bottom of the ninth inning as he would hit a three-run homer to right field to walk off the Boomers 6-3. 

Schaumburg's starter, Blake Stelzer, would receive a no-decision for his six innings of work. He allowed seven hits, two earned runs, walked three batters and struck out eight. Kristian Scott, Thomas Nicoll, Darrell Thompson and Aaron Glickstein would come in relief. Glickstein would take the loss in  his two-thirds innings pitched. He allowed three hits and earned runs while striking out two and walking no one.

Gateway's starter, JP Williams, would also receive a no-decision for his five innings of work. He allowed seven hits, three earned runs, walked one and struck out six batters. Nick Kennedy, John Murphy, Taylor Sugg and Sam Gardner came in relief. Gardner would earn the win for his inning of work. He allowed one hit and struck out three batters. 

Tri-City vs Trois-Rivières

The Tri-City ValleyCats (17-18) defeated the  Trois-Rivières Aigles (15-18)by a score of 12-10 on Thursday night. 

The final game of the three game series between division foes the Troís-Riviéres Aigles and the Tri-City ValleyCats took place at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on Thursday night. 

ValleyCats starter Olbis Parra and Sam Poliquin of the Aigles would pitch a scoreless first inning, which would not be indicative of what would transpire in the later innings.

The Aigles bats would strike first in the second inning, when center fielder Raphael Gladu sent an Olbis Parra fastball into deep right field to take an early 2-0 lead. The top of the fourth inning would open the floodgates for Parra, giving up five runs in the inning. The first run was an RBI single from newest Aigle Edward Salcedo, which plated Carlos Martinez. The next four runs would come from one swing of the bat, a grand slam from left fielder L.P. Pellitier, Parra would complete the inning, but the 'Cats would head into the bottom of the fourth inning trailing by the score of 7-0.

Sam Poliquin would keep the ValleyCats bats in check during his first four innings of work, surrendering one run on a sacrifice fly from Juan Silverio in the fourth.

The fifth inning, the 'Cats offense came out firing. Pavin Parks would lead off the inning with a solo shot that squeaked by the right field foul pole to cut the lead to 7-2. Following a walk to Juan Santana, a Jesus Lujano double, and a walk to Denis Phipps, it would load the bases for designated hitter Brad Zunica. The left handed DH would wallop a towering blast into right field for a grand slam, bringing the 'Cats within one run. But the offense was not done.

Newest ValleyCat Jace Mercer, who recorded four hits tonight, three of them doubles, would reach base with his second double of the night. Silverio would line a base hit in, bringin Mercer home. Silverio would then steal second and advance to third on a wild pitch, catcher Ciaran Devenny would drive Silverio home with a sacrifice fly of his own to give Tri-City the 8-7 lead.

The Aigles would strike right back with three runs of their own in the top of the sixth inning on a three run homer from first baseman Connor Panas. The seesaw actio would continue in the bottom half of that inning, as Willie Garcia inched the 'Cats closer with an RBI single, making it a 10-9 game.

The bats on both sides would be quiet in the seventh inning, and after Brac Warren fired a 1-2-3 top of the eighth inning, Tri-City would look to take the lead.

After a lead-off hustle double from Willy Garcia, Jace Mercer lined his third double of the contest to plate Garcia. Silverio singled to bring home Mercer from second. After Silverio was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double, the bases were empty for Devenney. The 'Cats backstop would launch a towering shot into the ValleyCats bullpen to give them a 12-10 lead they would not relinquish.

Empire State vs New Jersey 

The New Jersey Jackals (15-18) defeated the Empire State Greys (0-34) by a score of 13-0 on Thursday night.

It was a cold overcast night here at Yogi Berra Stadium as the New Jersey Jackals faced the Empire State Greys for the last game of a three game series. The Jackals were seeking their first series sweep at home and didn't take long to claim an early lead. The lineup underwent its biggest change of the season, with Todd Issacs Jr. playing second base instead of his customary outfield.

Joan Gregorio made the start for New Jersey, mowing through the first two innings, using just 28 total pitches. The offense would provide early run support, utilizing a Santiago Chirino walk and a Dalton Combs single to place runners on first and third. That allowed Alfredo Marte to start the scoring onslaught with a single of his own, scoring Chirino and giving the Jackals a 1-0 advantage.

Although the Jackals are known for their ability to hit home runs, the talent for playing "small ball" exists in the lineup as well. With Josh Rehwaldt batting in the bottom of the first, Trevor Abrams was caught in a run-down after reaching on a fielder's choice. Abrams was able to keep the pickle going long enough for Dalton Combs to race home and score before Abrams was tagged, giving the Jackals a 2-0 lead after one inning.

The third and fourth frames featured four total runs added to the advantage. Isaacs picked up an RBI groundout to score Joe Simone in the third and the latter would follow in the fourth with a two RBI double in the fourth. Chirino recorded a two-bagger of his own to push the Jackals in front 6-0.

In the sixth, New Jersey slammed the door emphatically, with a three run homer from Rehwaldt and a two RBI single from Combs, staking the home side to an 11-0 lead. Chirino would leave the yard with a two run homer an inning later to complete the scoring.

This was inarguably the finest performance the Jackals have received from their pitching staff this year- Joan Gregorio twirled five innings of three hit ball and only allowed one of the 19 he faced to reach third base. Jefry Valdez and Jose A. Ramirez split the last four innings evenly and completed the shutout. Nicholas Luc (0-3) takes the loss for Empire State, who fall to 0-34 on the season, while New Jersey ascends to 15-18.

Sussex County vs Ottawa 

The Sussex County Miners (22-15) defeated the Ottawa Titans (23-10) by a score of 3-2 Thursday night. 

Following a clean top of the first by lefty Chris Burica (loss, 4-1), the Titans got two aboard with Jackie Urbaez and Jake Sanford lining singles off Miners starter Vin Mazzaro (win, 3-2) in the bottom half.

AJ Wright cashed in Urbaez on a groundball to the left side, as the Titans stayed out of a possible inning-ending double play as Sanford was in motion on the pitch. Tyrus Greene plated Sanford with a single, making it 2-0 after one.

Burica was locked in over the first five innings as the lefty retired nine of the first ten he faced on Thursday. 

The Miners got to the southpaw in the sixth, with Mikey Reynolds reaching on a fielding error by shortstop Taylor Wright to lead off the inning.

With Reynolds on, Kevin Rolon drew a walk, then the two executed a double steal with Martin Figueroa at the dish. Burica got Figueroa to fly out, scoring Reynolds to get the Miners within one. Jawuan Harris followed up with a base hit, tying the game as Rolon scored.

Following another single and a walk, Burica got the hook going five and a third, allowing three runs (two earned), on six hits, walking two, and striking out three in his first loss of the season.

Gavin Sonnier inherited the bases loaded and served up the eventual game-winning sac fly off the bat of Cito Culver, scoring Harris to make it a 3-2 game.

After Sonnier got out of the jam, the righty ended up finishing the night for the Titans on the mound, going three and two-thirds, allowing no runs, no hits, walking one, and fanning four.

The Titans' offense fell quiet after taking an early 2-0 lead in the first, recording only three hits from the third inning onwards. Mazzaro went six strong, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking two, and striking out five.

Darwin Matos, Billy Layne Jr., and Robert Klinchock combined for three shutout innings out of the bullpen to preserve the sweep.

New York vs Quebec

The Quebec Capitales (26-9) defeated the New York Boulders (18-18) by a score of 5-3 Thursday night. 

The Quebec Capitales pushed across three runs in the eighth inning to rally for a 5-3 win over the visiting New York Boulders on Thursday at Stade Canac in Quebec City.

The victory completed a sweep of the three-game series for the Capitales.

The Capitales entered the home half of the eighth trailing 3-2, however they tied the game when T.J. White led off the frame with a home run, his 10th of the year, off Dan Goggin, the Boulders' third pitcher of the night.

Kyle Crowl then worked out a walk before Jonathan Lacroix's attempted sacrifice bunt was misplayed to put runners on first and second. Josh McAdams followed with another bunt, this one fielded by Goggin, who threw wildly to third base, allowing Crowl to score with the lead run and putting runners on second and third.

Blake Berry's one-hopper back to Goggin resulted in Lacroix being thrown out at the plate, but the Capitales picked up an insurance run when Reece Yeargain's chopper to third left Boulders' third baseman Austin Dennis with only a play at first as McAdams scored to give Quebec a 5-3 lead.

Quebec got on the scoreboard in the home half of the first when White's grounder was misplayed by Dennis third, allowing David Glaude, who had led off the inning with a walk, to score from third base.

New York answered with two runs in the fourth against Joel Huertas, the Quebec starter. Gian Martellini led off by reaching on an error by White at third base. After Giovanni Garbella struck out, Dennis singled to put runners on first and second. Chris Kwitzer's groundout to second moved the runners up a base for Francisco Del Valle, who singled to score both and out the Boulders ahead 2-1.

New York increased their advantage to 3-1 with a run in the fifth against Quebec reliever Ian Codina.

David Vinsky led off the frame with a double and advanced to third on a Jake MacKenzie fly ball to right. Vinsky then scored Yeargain, the Capitales' catcher, could not corral a Codina breaking ball.

Jonathan Lacroix's solo home run, his first of the year, cut the Quebec deficit to 3-2 in the sixth.

The Boulders received a quality start from Robby Rowland, who went six innings and allowed six hits and two runs while walking two and striking out four. Ryan Munoz followed with a scoreless seventh inning before giving way to Goggin, who was tagged with the loss as he fell to 1-1 on the year.

Henry Omana, who tossed scoreless seventh and eighth innings picked up the victory for Quebec, improving to 1-1 on the season.

Frank Moscatiello pitched a scoreless ninth to register his first save of the year for the Capitales.

Huertas, Codina, Franklin Parra, Omana and Moscatiello teamed up to surrender only five hits to the Boulders in the Quebec win.

Evansville vs Florence
The Evansville Otters (22-13) defeated the Florence Y'alls (15-19) by a final score of 11-5. 

The Otters scored first in the top of the first on a Steven Sensley two-run homer to give the Otters a 2-0 lead. 

The Y'alls would reciprocate the action with their own two-run homer by Ray Zuberer to tie the game. 

Evansville would use the top of the fourth and fifth innings to take a larger lead scoring on an RBI double by George Callil and a sac fly RBI by Elijah MacNamee in the fourth and another Sensley solo home run followed by a Justin Felix solo home run to give the Otters a 6-2 lead. 

Florence would score again on a sac fly RBI by Alberti Chavez in the bottom of the fifth but Evansville kept putting runs on the board in the sixth and eighth innings. 

The first run of the sixth inning came on a fielder's choice followed by a RBI single by J.R. Davis. In the top of the eighth Jeffrey Baez would hit a three-run homer to give the Otters a 11-3 lead. 

Florence had some fight left as they managed to add two more runs on the board on Chavez's two RBI triple to end the scoring at 11-5.

Florence's starter, Jonaiker Villalobos, took the loss in his four innings of work. He allowed five hits, four earned runs, three walks and struck out six batters. Kent Kylman, Cameron Pferrer and Darwin Ramos came in relief.

Evansville's starter, Brett Adcock, earned the win in his five innings of work. He allowed six hits, three earned runs and walks while striking out five batters. Jacob Bowles and Augie Gallardo came in relief.

Lake Erie vs Washington

The Washington Wild Things (24-12) defeated the Lake Erie Crushers (14-22) by a final score of 7-4. 

The Wild Things set the tone early scoring in the first three innings. In the bottom of the first, Scotty Dubrule hit an RBI double to left field to start the scoring. In the bottom of the second, Ramon Osuna hit a solo home run to left field and Mat Phipps would hit an RBI single to center. Osuna would hit again in the bottom of the third and hit a sac fly RBI to give the Wild Things a 4-0 lead. 

The Crushers made some noise in the fourth and sixth innings on an RBI groundout in the fourth and a RBI double by Danny Perez in the top of the sixth to cut the lead in half, 4-2.

In the bottom of the sixth the Wild Things would score twice more with Nick Ward crossing the plate for the first run and Wagner Lagrange hitting an RBI double to make it 6-2. They would score again in the bottom of the seventh on an error to cap their scoring at seven runs on the day.

Lake Erie managed two more runs in the top of the eighth on a two-run homer by Jake Gitter to make the final score 7-4.

Lake Erie's starter, Julio Vivas, took the loss in his three and two-thirds innings of work. He allowed six hits, four earned runs and walks while striking out two batters. Trevor Kuncl, Kenny Wells, Sam Curtis and Gleyvin Pineda came in relief. 

Washington's starter, Rob Whalen, earned the win in his six innings of work. He allowed eight hits, two earned runs and strikeouts without walking any batters. Christian Jame and Lukas Young came in relief. Young earned the save in the ninth and allowed only one hit.

Windy City vs Joliet

The Joliet Slammers (19-18) defeated the Windy City ThunderBolts (16-18) by a final score of 5-1. 

Windy City scored the first run of the game in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Brian Fuentes. That would be the only run the Bolts could bring home. 

Joliet took some time to get the bats to be productive as they would tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on a sac fly RBI by Luke Mangieri. The Slammers would use the bottom of the seventh inning to take the lead and gain some space as Carson Maxwell hit a solo homer to take a 2-1 lead. Matt Burch would hit a two-RBI triple in the inning as well and Brylie Ware, one of the top hitters in the league, would hit an RBI single up the middle to cap the score at 5-1.

Windy City's starter, Sebastian Selway, received a no-decision in his six innings of work. He allowed four hits, one run that was unearned, one walk and struck out two batters. Tyler Thornton would come in relief and would take the loss for his two innings of work. He allowed four hits and earned runs as well as walked one batter and struck out two. 

Joliet's starter, Trevor Charpie, would earn the win in his seven innings of work. He allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out five batters without allowing a walk. Chandler Bradley and Cole Stanton came in relief.