'Shoes Explode For 10 Runs In Eighth, Beat Gems 16-6

By Jordan Kruse

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - On Monday afternoon, for the second time this season, the 'Shoes run-ruled the visiting Quincy Gems in a 16-6 victory.  

Jacob Compton hit another moonshot home run in the bottom of the first. Drew Ezard played copycat and smashed his own two-run home run, scoring Dylan Nevar, and giving the 'Shoes a 3-0 lead after one. 

Gems' right fielder Gabe Swansen joined the party with his own big fly in the second, scoring Nolan Wosman.

Stice settled in nicely after a rocky first, going three scoreless and swinging the momentum in his favor.

Andrew Fay scored on a wild pitch from Drew Evans, evening up the game at three after three.

A walk and a hit-by-pitch gave Otto Jones the opportunity for an RBI double scoring Swansen. Jordan Duncan would score one batter later on an infield single from Merrick Mathews, and the Gems would control the game for the time being at 5-3. 

Evans was relieved by Jackson Nichols after three innings.

Will Plattner hit his first home run in a 'Shoes uniform to cut the lead to one in the fifth. Drew Ezard would then smash his second home run of the game to tie it back up at five in the sixth. 

Payton Pennington scored Jack Gorman on an RBI single to give the 'Shoes a 6-5 lead in the seventh.

The Gems hitters were determined to not let this one slip away, as Merrick Mathews tacked on an RBI single of his own in the top of the eighth. It was Nichols' first run given up in the game.

With one out in the eighth, Jayden Myren doubled down the right field line to give the lead back to the 'Shoes, 7-6.

Jack Gorman scored Myren on a sacrifice fly to center field. It was an 8-6 game with two outs.

Then the floodgates opened. 

Payton Pennington ripped a triple to center field, scoring two runners, and helping the Horseshoes enter double digits.

Jacob Compton flexed his muscles with another train track shot, earning him two RBIs and stretching the lead to six. Compton now leads the prospect league with seven home runs.

Anthony Deconcilis kept the party going with an RBI double of his own. The Gems would need a touchdown and an extra point, down 13-6. 

Jayden Myren would collect his second hit of the inning with a two-RBI single down the left field line, before Jack Gorman would finish the deal, scoring Myren on yet another RBI double.

The 'Shoes scored ten runs in the eighth inning, eight of which came with two outs.

It would be the third time the Lucky Horseshoes have mercy-ruled a team, the second time against the Quincy Gems.

Jackson Nichols (2-0) would notch his second win of the young season, and Noah Harbin would take his first loss.

The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes (8-10) will get their first taste of the Normal Cornbelters on Tuesday in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.