Hoots’ opportunistic offense scores 13 unanswered runs as Doggy Paddlers fall at home

QUINCY — The wheels fell off the wagon in a hurry for the Quincy Doggy Paddlers on Friday.

Quincy led the O’Fallon Hoots 8-6 entering the top of the fourth before surrendering 13 unanswered runs and going hitless for a five-inning stretch in a 19-8 loss at QU Stadium.

The first big blow for O’Fallon came in the fifth when it capitalized on six walks and Mitchell Bonczkowski hit a bases-clearing triple in a five-run inning.

The Hoots’ bullpen held the Doggy Paddlers scoreless over the final six innings and without a hit from one out in the fourth until two outs in the ninth.

Doggy Paddlers pitchers issued 15 walks, and the Hoots outhit the Doggy Paddlers 15-12.

Tyler Butina hit his first home run as a Doggy Paddler — a three-run shot down the right field line that tied the game at six in the bottom of the second. Michael Politte homered in a six-run ninth inning for the Hoots, and Hank Gomric hit a three-run homer to begin the scoring in the top of the first.

The Doggy Paddlers (8-10) and Hoots (10-9) will tango again Saturday at CarShield Field in O’Fallon, Mo. That will be the first of four consecutive road games for the Doggy Paddlers before they return to QU Stadium to host the Alton River Dragons on Thursday.