BASEBALL: Late rally lifts Indians over ZRC
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[DuQuoin's A.J. Smith pitched an outstanding game against Zeigler-Royalton-Christopher on Wednesday evening, and got the win at 7-4. Smith pitched all seven innings, allowed four runs (earned) on six hits, had 3 walks, and 11 strikeouts for the Indians. Smith weathered a home run by Z-R-C in the first inning, and fell behind 2-0, but managed to keep his composure for the rest of the game.
Z-R-C scored two runs in the first, one in the second, and one in the sixth for their four runs. The run scored in the second inning was from a beautiful suicide squeeze play that was performed to perfection.
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth, the Indians rallied back. Garrett Dorsey singled, then Jon Boss and Jonah Spencer both reached base on bunt attempts when the Tornadoes' defense couldn't make a play. Austin Mansker had an RBI, then Brenden Fred cleared the bases with a triple to put DHS on top for good.
The losing pitcher for Z-R-C was Kuh, who allowed 7 runs (3 unearned), on 8 hits, had 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Z-R-C played a shaky defense behind their pitcher committing six errors in the contest. DuQuoin had one error in the game.
The big hit for Z-R-C was a home run with one on in the second inning by Clark. Schimpf, Fitch, and Marchetti all had singles for Z-R-C. Clark had 2 RBI. McPhail and Marchetti each had one RBI.
DuQuoin tallied 8 hits in the game. Mansker was 1-4 with an RBI, Fred was 1-2 including a triple, 2 RBI, a sacrifice, and a walk, Nate Boss was 1-4, Camden Youngman was 0-3 with a walk, Travis Chapman was 1-3 with a walk, Camdon Mercier was 1-4, Dorsey was 1-2 with a sacrifice, J. Boss was 1-3 with a double, and 2 RBI, and Spencer was 1-3.
Also in the game for the Indians were Kody Hess, John Erwin, and Nathan Harris.
Coach Tim Craft had this to say after the game. "It was a stressful six innings. Give Z-R-C credit--they really did a good job of putting the ball in play, and pressuring our defense. In the bottom of the sixth, we got the bunts down, and the kids came through with some really big hits at an important time in the game."
"A.J. Smith was great today! He kept fighting throughout the game, and did a great job!"
DuQuoin plays at home again on Friday with Anna-Jonesboro in a conference game. DuQuoin's record is now 8-7 overall and 2-3 in the Conference.
<element id="paragraph-1" type="body"></element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ <element id="paragraph-1" type="body"></element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ <element id="paragraph-1" type="body"></element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[</group><group id="F9E9337D-EECA-4BF1-8099-14B7ED7941AE" type="seoLabels"><seoLabels></seoLabels></group><