QND products Dance, Linenfelser sparkle in their debuts with Doggy Paddlers

QUINCY — A pair of former Quincy Notre Dame baseball players enjoyed memorable debuts with the Quincy Doggy Paddlers on Saturday.

In the first game of a doubleheader with the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp, right-handed pitcher Tyler Dance allowed only one unearned run over seven innings in a 1-0 Pistol Shrimp victory. In the nightcap, Jack Linenfelser hit a home run in his first at-bat with the Doggy Paddlers as Quincy won 5-4.

Dance and Linenfesler were starters on the 2023 QND baseball team that finished third in the Class 2A state tournament and set a school record with a 36-2 record.

Dance scattered seven hits, struck out three and walked four. The Pistol Shrimp’s only run scored in the first inning when James Love attempted a steal of second base, Quincy catcher Brayden Roberts’ throw popped out of second baseman Jameson Johnson’s glove and ricocheted into left field, allowing Tyler Dorsch to score.

Dance, who is headed to pitch for Lewis University after two seasons at John Wood Community College, stranded eight Pistol Shrimp runners on base and threw just 12 pitches in the sixth and seventh innings combined.

Simon Skroch and Parker Primeaux combined to give up just three hits and strike out 11 Doggy Paddlers batters. The Doggy Paddlers did not have a hit after the third inning, and Primeaux struck out the Doggy Paddlers in order in the bottom of the seventh.

Linenfelser’s solo blast to left-center field leading off the third inning of the second game gave the Doggy Paddlers a 3-0 lead. Quincy added a run in the fourth when Brady Kindhart led off with a single and scored on a Kannon Kirk single. Another run came home in the fifth when Tyler Deleskiewicz hit Skylar Graham with a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs.

Quincy’s first two runs were scored on Tyler Butina’s two-run home run in the first inning.

Kindhart, an infielder at Maryville University and also a starter on the 2023 QND baseball team, and Linenfelser, who plays at Culver-Stockton College, both went 2 for 3. Quincy High School product and Quincy University right-hander Brady Lowe earned the victory, allowing two earned runs over five innings with nine strikeouts.

The Doggy Paddlers (13-18, 4-4 second half) will meet the Pistol Shrimp (15-18, 4-4 second half) at 2 p.m. Sunday in the final game before the Prospect League all-star break. Quincy returns to action Wednesday for a three-game set at the Clinton LumberKings.