Gems overcome 7-1 deficit in second game to sweep doubleheader, take two-game lead in division

O’FALLON, Mo. — The Quincy Gems rallied from a 7-1 deficit to win the second game of a Prospect League doubleheader against the O’Fallon Hoots 9-7, completing a sweep on Wednesday night at Car Shield Field. The Gems won the first game 3-2. 

The Gems (16-12) now lead Normal by two games in the Great River Division, and they are a half-game behind Alton for the best record in the Western Conference. Quincy has won 10 of its last 13 games.

The Hoots used 10 hits to score seven runs in the first three innings of the second game to knock starting pitcher Daniel Hargrave out of the game. However,  Jax Howard pitched 4 2/3 innings of one-hit scoreless relief to earn the victory. He struck out six.

The Gems were down 7-1 entering the fourth when Lucas Loos hit a two-run homer to get the inning started. Tye Wood singled in a run, and Dylan Wipperman drove in two with another single.

Quincy tied the score in the sixth when Zach Stewart singled to right-center, scoring Andrew Fay. Quincy then took the lead in the seventh when Fay’s double to right scored Wood, and Wipperman’s single to center scored Fay.

Fay, Wipperman, Stewart and Wood each had two hits.

Cael Kolacia allowed two unearned runs in the first inning, then tossed four shutout innings allowing one hit to earn the victory in the first game. Fay pitched two innings of perfect relief to each his third save.

Quincy scored a run in the top of the first on an RBI single by Stewart. Quincy tied the game in the fifth on another RBI single by Stewart, and Ethan Moore delivered the game-winning hit when he homered to left-center in the top of the sixth.

Otto Jones had three of Quincy’s seven hits in the first game, and Stewart had two hits.