Nine-run explosion in first inning helps Gems remain in first place in Great River Division

QUINCY — A nine-run first inning enabled the Quincy Gems to defeat the Springfield Lucky 
Horseshoes 14-4 in seven innings on Wednesday night in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium.

The Gems (26-23, 13-8 second half) are in first place in the Great River Division, a half-game ahead of Clinton. Illinois Valley and Burlington are tied for third place, two games behind the Gems.

Quincy used six hits, three walks and one Springfield error to score nine runs in the first inning. The Gems knocked Lucky Horseshoes starter Cody Ellis out of the game after he got just two outs. The biggest blow of the inning was a three-run home run by Lucas Loos. Easton Mains added a two-run triple off the right-field wall in the frame. 

The Gems added two more runs in the second on a throwing error by Lucky Horseshoes catcher Nolan Self and a groundout by Harry Oden, which scored Joe Siervo.

Mains drove in another run with an infield single in the fourth, and Jack Zebig followed with a two-run double down the right-field line.

Quincy starter Noah Harbin earned the victory by allowing five runs on five hits and three walks in four innings. Samuel Skirvin pitched one inning of scoreless relief, and Brian Henke allowed one hit and one run in two scoreless innings.

Every Gems player in the lineup had one hit. Mains, Siervo, Jaison Andujar and Tristan Meny each had two hits for the Gems.