Allowing two-out runs leads to Prospect League loss for Doggy Paddlers

QUINCY — The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp’s refusal to go down quietly was Quincy Doggy Paddlers’ kryptonite on Friday.

The Pistol Shrimp scored seven of their eight runs and had all 10 of their hits with two outs as they pulled away from the Doggy Paddlers late in an 8-3 victory at QU Stadium.

The Doggy Paddlers led 2-1 entering the top of the fifth, then the Pistol Shrimp tied the game at two on a James Love two-out single.

The Pistol Shrimp took a 3-2 lead in the seventh on a Love ground out. D’Andre Gaines then stole third and scored when catcher Jake Merda’s throw sailed into left field.

The Doggy Paddlers got a run back when Krew Bond tripled leading off the inning then scored on a Jameson Johnson single. Van Larson then picked off Johnson at first and did the same to Jordan Sfyindillis after he singled with two outs.

The Pistol Shrimp’s relentlessness led to four more two-out runs in the eighth. Aamir Mitchell stole home on a throw back to pitcher Alex Pickus from Merda. Love then doubled to drive in a pair, and Tyler Dorsch followed with an RBI single to extend the Pistol Shrimp’s lead to 8-3.

The Doggy Paddlers loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but Jimmy Koza grounded out to short to end the game.

The Doggy Paddlers outhit the Pistol Shrimp 11-10, but Illinois Valley went 10 for 18 with two outs. The Pistol Shrimp (4-5) snapped a four-game losing streak, while the Doggy Paddlers (3-6) are now in sole possession of fourth place in the Northwest Division.