Johnson’s two-run, eighth-inning single catapults Doggy Paddlers to second straight road victory

O’FALLON, Mo. — Bend but don’t break.

The Quincy Doggy Paddlers adopted that mentality in rallying twice to beat the O’Fallon Hoots 4-3 Wednesday night at CarShield Field following a two-hour weather delay.

Quincy trailed 2-0 entering the top of the seventh inning. General Schofield’s RBI double got the Doggy Paddlers within a run. After and Andrew Gould strikeout and a Jimmy Koza flyout, Wandel Campana delivered an RBI single to tie the game at two.

The Hoots responded with a run on a Connor Mendell double in the bottom of the seventh, but the Doggy Paddlers responded again. Jameson Johnson flipped the score with a two-run single in the eighth, giving the Doggy Paddlers a 4-3 lead.

It was then up to the bullpen to hold the lead. With one out in the eighth inning and runners on second and third, reliever Noah Wilder induced a groundout that resulted in an interference call at third base. After a walk loaded the bases, Wilder induced another ground ball to end the inning.

After the first two batters reached base for the Hoots in the ninth, Anthony Sorrentino relieved Wilder. Sorrentino retired the next three hitters, striking out the last two to secure the Doggy Paddlers’ second straight road win.

Quincy won despite getting outfit 9-6 and committing three errors to the Hoots’ one. The Doggy Paddlers will hit the road again on Thursday against the Burlington Bees before returning home to host the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp Friday and Saturday.