Cornbelters reliever holds Gems hitless for seven innings as Normal rallies for victory

QUINCY — The Quincy Gems knocked out two Normal pitchers in the first two innings of Friday night’s Prospect League game, but the third pitcher proved to be overwhelming for the Gems.

Left-hander Bode Gebbink held the Gems hitless for seven innings of relief, and Drake Downing pitched out of a ninth-inning jam to help the Cornbelters finish a 5-3 victory at QU Stadium.

Quincy (2-7) mounted a rally in the top of the ninth inning. Gebbink walked leadoff hitter Joe Huffman, and he was removed from the game after striking out Harry Fandre. Downing entered the game and gave up a bloop single to Jimmy Koza and another single by Harry Oden, loading the bases.

However, Downing closed out the game by striking out Easton Mains and Cross Jumper to end the game. 

Quincy took the lead in the second inning, scoring three runs without a hit. Two Gems draw walks and three Gems were hit by pitches. Oden and Mains both were hit by pitches with the bases loaded. Jumper drove in another run with a sacrifice fly.

Quincy’s only other hit was by Lucas Loos in the first inning.

Gems starter Stefan Stockwell allowed four walks and six hits in four innings, but he allowed just one run. Reliever Josh Hempelman took the loss, allowing four runs in 1 2/3 innings. He allowed the biggest blow of the game, a bases-clearing triple by Ben Diggins in the sixth inning.