Gems drop to third in division, get blown out thanks to nine-run sixth inning by Catfish

QUINCY — The Cape Catfish blew open a tight game with a nine-run sixth inning and defeated the Quincy Gems 9-2 on Wednesday night in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium.

The loss drops the Gems (5-7 second half, 24-20 overall) into third place in the Great River Division, two games behind first place Burlington.

Starting pitcher Bennett Stice from Palmyra, Mo., allowed three runs for the Catfish in the first inning, then allowed just one in the next four innings. Reliever Peyton Apps from Pittsfield came in to start the sixth inning, and he allowed seven runs in two-thirds of an inning. He walked the bases loaded to open the frame, then gave up two hits and was burned by two errors from Gems shortstop Andrew Fay.

Peyton Clampitt from Central High School in Camp Point came in relief of Apps, and the first pitch he threw was slugged for a three-run homer by Danny Sperling. Clampitt’s second pitch also was hit for a home run by Dalton Rudd.

The Gems were limited to five hits, one of them a solo home run by Maurice La Fon in the seventh inning. The Gems also committed five errors. Dayson Croes and Lucas Loos both had two hits for Quincy.