O’FALLON, Mo. — The River City Rascals took the series finale 4-1 over the Southern Illinois Miners behind a brilliant start from Alec Byrd on Thursday night at CarShield Field. Byrd (2-0), went seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits with two walks and a season-high nine strikeouts. The Rascals scored their four runs on just five hits
The Rascals scored first on a three-run double from Trevor Achenbach in the bottom of the fifth inning, and added another run on an RBI single from Braxton Martinez in the bottom of the eighth. The Miners scored just a single run, on a lead-off homer in the top of the ninth from Gianfranco Wawoe before Rascals closer Jackson Sigman buckled down to strike out the side and earn his fourth save.
Miners starter Steven Ridings (1-1) took the loss, allowing three runs in five innings.
The Rascals (8-5) welcome the Evansville Otters to town for a three-game weekend set beginning Friday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CDT. Dalton Roach will take the mound for the Rascals, and will be opposed by Randy Wynne of the Otters.
