O’FALLON, MO–The River City Rascals dropped the series finale against the Southern Illinois Miners on Thurday night by a score of 1-0 at CarShield Field. The Miners’ Luke Bonfield had three hits on the night, and drove in the only run of the game with his double in the sixth.
With the game scoreless entering the sixth, Chance Shepard drew a leadoff walk and made it to second base with two outs, setting up Bonfeld’s go-ahead double.
The Rascals had the bases loaded with two down in the eighth, but Paul Kronenfeld struck out to end the frame. The Rascals then got a leadoff walk from Mike Jurgella in the bottom of the ninth, and after he was cut down at second on a ground ball up the middle off the bat of Braxton Martinez, second baseman Jake Willsey’s throw to first went into the seats to put Martinez at second. Closer John Werner recovered to record his seventh save of the year by getting Clint Freeman to fly out to right to end the game.
Rascals starter Dan Ludwig (2-4) only allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out three. Austin Dubsky was stellar as well, going seven scoreless, allowing three hits and striking out six.
The Rascals (41-41) host the Normal CornBelters for a three-game weekend set starting tomorrow night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 pm CT. Josh Kimborowicz will make the start for the Rascals on the mound.
