O’FALLON, MO–The River City Rascals lost their series opener against the Southern Illinois Miners 7-3 on Tuesday night at CarShield Field. Joe Duncan hit two home runs for the Miners and drove in four total runs in the victory.
The Rascals got out to an early 2-0 lead on a two-run homer by Clint Freeman in the bottom of the first inning. The Miners immediately responded with four runs in the top of the second, on a broken bat two-run single from Anthony Critelli and a two-run blast from Duncan. Duncan then made it 5-2 with a solo shot in the fifth.
The Miners added two in the top of the ninth, on an RBI single from Jake Willsey and a run-scoring double from Duncan. Zach Lavy hit a solo home run to lead-off the bottom of the ninth for the Rascals.
Geno Encina (5-7) earned the win for the Miners, allowing two runs in seven innings while walking two and striking out four. Dalton Roach (1-3) suffered the loss, allowing five runs in six innings with no walks and six strikeouts.
The Rascals (48-43) look to bounce back against the Miners (46-44) in the middle game of the series tomorrow night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 pm CT. Dan Ludwig will get the start for the Rascals.
