Indians combine for 27 runs to defeat Carbondale and Flora in round robin

Posted April 02, 2017 11:00 pm

Adam Iwans aiwans@duquoin.com

The Du Quoin Indians looked like they were on their way to a disappointing showing Saturday afternoon, as they headed into the bottom of the sixth-inning against Carbondale trailing 11-0 in the first game of a home Round Robin. But, the momentum quickly shifted, as the Indians were able to pull off the miraculous comeback, scoring twelve unanswered with Blaine Bradley scoring the final run in the walk-off win. The Indians carried the momentum into the final game of the day against Flora, shelling the Wolves in five innings, 15-3. "I think it kind of opened our eyes a bit," Du Quoin head coach Tim Craft said. "Down 11-0, you don't know what to tell the kids. You're kind of thinking, move on and get ready for the next game. "(But), we put up a few runs and kind of realized the momentum was turning our way a little bit. I don't know what to say about it because it was such an insane game, to come back from 11 runs down in two innings. Just shows a little bit of resolve and I am proud of them." The Carbondale Terriers opened up the game in complete control, tagging Indian starter Bryzdon Witcher for four runs in the first four innings. They continued to pile the offense, tacking on five runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth, seemingly on its way to a six inning run-ruled win. But, the Indians came back strong in the bottom of the sixth, scoring seven runs in the inning as they batted around the order and got RBIs from Bryce Clarry, Alex Zimmerman, Tevin Lee and Charley Mercier. Will Woodside held the Terriers scoreless in the top of the seventh to set up the late-game heroics. Zimmerman led off with a HBP, and Ashton Smith followed up with a single. Hank Stewart followed suit with a single of his own to plate Zimmerman, pulling the Indians within three 11-8. Stewart came around to score shortly after on a Carbondale error to pull within two. The Terriers were able to get two outs still ahead by three, but Blaine Bradley came up big for the Indians, delivering a game-tying two RBI double. Witcher came up next and put the ball in play forcing a Terrier error that allowed Bradley to come home for the game-winning walk-off run. The Indians offense carried right over into the final game of Round Robin play against Flora, highlighted by three home runs in the third inning from Stewart, Jordan Edwards and T. Lee. "All of them were pretty well hit, there weren't any cheap ones, good swings (on) all three of them," Craft said. "That second game, up and down the lineup we hit the ball hard and that's what we want to do. We want to be able to put some pressure on teams and know that you're not going to be able to throw it over the plate and get away with it." The Indians plated five runs in the third to take a 6-0 lead and never looked back, adding on four in the fourth and five in the fifth to cruise to a 15-3 win. Bryce Clarry picked up the win for the Indians, throwing all five innings, surrendering three runs (zero earned) on four hits while striking out four. With the two weekend wins, the Indians improve to 7-4, toting a perfect 6-0 record at home. "I think it does help playing on your field," Craft said. "Honestly, it was nice to see us come out on a Saturday (and play well) because we have been flat the last couple of Saturday's. I thought it was going to be a flat day starting out, but then they kind of turned it around. "Hopefully, that first game and this one here gives us a little momentum early in conference play." The Indians resume action Monday at home against Carterville at 4:30 p.m.