MARION (MINERS PR/WSIL) -- The Southern Illinois Miners scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Schaumburg Boomers on Thursday night at Rent One Park to break the game open, and plated seven of their eight runs with two outs overall in the contest to roll to an 8-2 win in the rubber game of the three-game midweek series.
The Boomers got things started in the top of the fourth inning against Michael Austin (3-4), as Angelo Gumbs� two-out RBI single made it 1-0 Schaumburg. But Austin stranded the bases loaded that frame, and after being held down by Boomers starter Bryan Ketchie (0-5) in the first three innings, the Miners� offense came alive in the bottom of the fourth. Ian Walters singled with two outs to put a man on base for Anthony Brocato, who promptly lined a two-run home run over the left field fence to put Southern Illinois in front 2-1.
Then the Miners busted the game wide open in the bottom of the fifth. With two runners on base, Yeltsin Gudiño began the scoring with a sacrifice fly to right field, making the score 3-1 on the second out of the inning. Then, after Nolan EarleyÌý·É²¹±ô°ì±ð»å,ÌýAriel Sandoval came through with an RBI single to center field to make it 4-1. Walters followed by reaching on an infield hit off of the first base bag to load the bases for Brocato, and he singled home two more runs to make it 6-1. Three pitches later, Luke Mangieri capped the scoring with a two-run triple down the right field line, increasing the Minersâ€� lead to 8-1.
Austin, meanwhile, pitched six innings in the contest and allowed just one run on four hits with five strikeouts to earn the win on the mound. The Boomers were able to scratch across a run in the top of the seventh inning on a fielder’s choice after a leadoff triple and a walk, but could not get closer as the Miners won the series to finish their nine-game home stand with a 6-3 record.
Brocato led the offensive charge with a career-high four hits, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, and a career-high-tying four RBIs, and narrowly missing hitting for the cycle when his fourth hit bounced over the right-center field wall for an automatic two bases. Walters, Mangieri, and Arturo Nieto also had two hits apiece as the Miners out-hit the Boomers 12 to seven to claim their third series win over Schaumburg this season.
Southern Illinois will look to continue their winning ways when they open up a seven-game road trip on Friday, July 30, in Evansville against the Otters. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Bosse Field.
