Hvidsten’s homer helps Gems escape with split of home doubleheader against Alton

O’FALLON, Mo. — The Quincy Gems missed a chance to climb above the .500 mark for the first time all season, but a home run by Kyle Hvidsten helped them salvage the second game of a doubleheader against the Alton Riverdragons.

The Gems lost the opener 11-3 but claimed the nightcap 11-8 on Sunday night in two Prospect League games at QU Stadium.  The Gems (17-18, 4-3 second half) are 1½ games behind Burlington and a half-game behind Clinton in the Great River Division.

The second game of the doubleheader was tied at 8-8 entering the bottom of the sixth. Jimmy Koza led off with a double, and Hvidsten clubbed a two-run homer. Later in the inning, Jack Zebig singled and stole second, and Harry Fandre singled to right center to drive him in.

Stephen Eskridge, who came in relief with the bases loaded and ended the eighth inning with a double play, struck out the side in the top of the seventh to earn his second save. Carter Poole, who got two strikeouts with runners on second and third in the fifth inning, earned the victory in relief.

Hvidsten had three hits and three RBIs while scoring four runs. Jaison Andujar had two hits, drove in three runs and scored twice. Jack Zebig and Fandre each had two hits for the Gems.

The Gems and Riverdragons were tied at 1-1 going into the fifth inning of the first game, but the visitors scored 10 runs over the next three innings. Drew Evans was the losing pitcher for Quincy in his debut, giving up five runs and six hits in four innings. Four Gems pitchers combined to give up 16 hits, and the Gems also committed three errors.

Zebig, Koza, Riley Black and Harry Oden each had two hits for the Gems.