First-inning uprising carries Doggy Paddlers to victory over Hoots

QUINCY — The Quincy Doggy Paddlers waisted no time jumping on the O’Fallon Hoots on Saturday, and the bullpen was able to thwart a Hoots rally.

Quincy scored 10 runs in the first inning, and three relievers combined to shutout the Hoots over the final 5 ⅓ innings in a 13-4 Doggy Paddlers victory in Prospect League action at QU Stadium.

Quincy sent 15 batters to the plate and recorded seven hits in the first inning. Seven straight batters reached base at one point, and all but one player scored a run.

The Hoots strung together four straight two-out hits in the top of the fifth to get within seven, but Hayden Steelman came out of the bullpen to record the final out of that inning and fired a scoreless sixth. Jared Marty worked the seventh and eight, and Noah Wilder tossed the final frame after the Doggy Paddlers tacked on two more runs in the eighth.

Wandel Campana and Jake Merda each had three hits for the Doggy Paddlers, who outhit the Hoots 13-10. Every player in the Doggy Paddlers’ lineup either drove in or scored a run.

Quincy (7-8) will host Burlington with a chance to get to .500 for the first time this season. The Bees have denied the Doggy Paddlers in their previous two bids to reach the .500 mark.