CLINTON, Iowa - The Clinton LumberKings (14-9) defeated the Quincy Gems (10-15) 4-2 at NelsonCorp Field on Monday night and clinched as the first half Great River Division Champions.

The LumberKings started the scoring early with an RBI double by Prospect League Player of the Week, Max Holy to take a 1-0 lead. Clinton would score again in the bottom of the second with an RBI double by Will Stark, who would later be removed in the game due to back tightness, to take a 2-0 lead. 

The Gems responded in the top of the fourth and cut the lead in half 1-2 on a Cam Suto RBI single. 

Clinton responded in the bottom of the following inning with a Casen Neumann 2 RBi single to lead 4-1.

The Gems would attempt another comeback but only managed to score one run on Suto's RBI single to cut the lead 4-2.

Quincy's starter Andrew Fay, would allow eight hits, four runs, all earned, three walks and strike out two batters while recording his second loss of the season. 

Clinton's starter, Graysen Drezek, would allow four hits, one run; earned, no walks and strike out a season high six batters. Drezek's record would improve to 3-0 on the year. 

Nick Scanlon would record his second save of the season entering in the bottom of top of the ninth allowing no hits, no runs, two walks and striking out one batters

The win clinched the 2023 first half Great River Division crown for the LumberKings. This locks a home field advantage for the LumberKings in the first round of play starting in August. Date and time of the playoff game will be released at a later date and time. 

This marks the first home playoff game since September 14, 2019 when the LumberKings hosted the South Bend Cubs in game 3 of the Midwest League Championship series. This will also be the first home playoff game since Clinton joined the Prospect League back in 2021.  

The Clinton LumberKings will host the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp for an exhibition game at NelsonCorp Field on Wednesday afternoon with first pitch at 6:30 p.m. with the gates opening at 5:30 p.m.