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A big first inning by the Dupage Dragons was enough to end the Cavemen’s three-game winning streak.
The Dragons jumped on Hannibal during the bottom of Monday’s first inning. It took two pitchers to get three outs and in between the Dragons scored eight runs. Dupage would end up winning 10-2.
Dupage did damage in the first inning with patience. The Dragons managed eight runs on just three hits and no errors. Starter Jake Moser, who faced just two batters before exiting the game, gave up one hit and walk before handing the ball over to reliever Taylor McKinney.
McKinney struggled with his control. With two men on, he walked the bases loaded and then walked in two runs.
When the dust settled and McKinney had picked up the third out, the Dragons had an 8-0 lead. Thirteen Dragons went to the plate in the first and only three picked up hits, yet Dupage managed to put up an eight spot.
Eventually McKinney would settle down. After the rough first inning, he gave up just one more run in six more innings of work.
Down by eight, the Hannibal offense wasn’t able to dig out of the hole.
The Cavemen got on the board in the fifth inning after Matt Burton led off with a single. He advanced to third after an error put Jake Hermsen on base. Third baseman Nick Rountree then grounded out, but scored Burton to get Hannibal on the board, but still trailing 8-1.
Dupage would tack on a run in the seventh and one more in the eighth to put the game away.
Hannibal would add another run in the ninth — another RBI by Rountree — but couldn’t get any closer than that.
Rountree finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
With all the walks the Cavemen pitchers issued — seven total — Hannibal was able to outhit the Dragons 9-8. Jerry Hildreth and Burton each had two hits for the Cavemen.
Monday’s loss drops the Cavemen to 5-3 on the season. Two of the losses have come at the hands of the Dragons. In the three meetings between the two clubs, Hannibal has only one win.
The Cavemen will be back at the friendly confines of Clemens Field today. The Quincy Gems will come to town as the two teams resume the “Battle for the Paddle.” Hannibal won the Paddle the first time the two teams met up June 6.
The Gems and Cavemen were supposed to play a doubleheader on Sunday, but rain washed out the game. Twice already this season Mother Nature has cancelled the rivalry in Quincy. The first game cancelled in Sunday’s rainout will be made up this Friday as part of a doubleheader in Quincy with two seven-inning games. First pitch will start at 5 p.m. The other game will be made up July 3, following the same format.
But before the doubleheaders can be played, the Gems will try to win back the paddle tonight. First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m.
A big first inning by the Dupage Dragons was enough to end the Cavemen’s three-game winning streak.
The Dragons jumped on Hannibal during the bottom of Monday’s first inning. It took two pitchers to get three outs and in between the Dragons scored eight runs. Dupage would end up winning 10-2.
Dupage did damage in the first inning with patience. The Dragons managed eight runs on just three hits and no errors. Starter Jake Moser, who faced just two batters before exiting the game, gave up one hit and walk before handing the ball over to reliever Taylor McKinney.
McKinney struggled with his control. With two men on, he walked the bases loaded and then walked in two runs.
When the dust settled and McKinney had picked up the third out, the Dragons had an 8-0 lead. Thirteen Dragons went to the plate in the first and only three picked up hits, yet Dupage managed to put up an eight spot.
Eventually McKinney would settle down. After the rough first inning, he gave up just one more run in six more innings of work.
Down by eight, the Hannibal offense wasn’t able to dig out of the hole.
The Cavemen got on the board in the fifth inning after Matt Burton led off with a single. He advanced to third after an error put Jake Hermsen on base. Third baseman Nick Rountree then grounded out, but scored Burton to get Hannibal on the board, but still trailing 8-1.
Dupage would tack on a run in the seventh and one more in the eighth to put the game away.
Hannibal would add another run in the ninth — another RBI by Rountree — but couldn’t get any closer than that.
Rountree finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
With all the walks the Cavemen pitchers issued — seven total — Hannibal was able to outhit the Dragons 9-8. Jerry Hildreth and Burton each had two hits for the Cavemen.
Monday’s loss drops the Cavemen to 5-3 on the season. Two of the losses have come at the hands of the Dragons. In the three meetings between the two clubs, Hannibal has only one win.
The Cavemen will be back at the friendly confines of Clemens Field today. The Quincy Gems will come to town as the two teams resume the “Battle for the Paddle.” Hannibal won the Paddle the first time the two teams met up June 6.
The Gems and Cavemen were supposed to play a doubleheader on Sunday, but rain washed out the game. Twice already this season Mother Nature has cancelled the rivalry in Quincy. The first game cancelled in Sunday’s rainout will be made up this Friday as part of a doubleheader in Quincy with two seven-inning games. First pitch will start at 5 p.m. The other game will be made up July 3, following the same format.
But before the doubleheaders can be played, the Gems will try to win back the paddle tonight. First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m.
