O’FALLON, Mo. — The River City Rascals swept their doubleheader over the Joliet Slammers on Wednesday night, winning the opener 6-1 and the nightcap 3-1 at CarShield Field. Nolan Meadows had three hits in Game 1, a homer and two doubles, while Zach Lavy drove in three total runs on the night, including the go-ahead RBIs in Game 2.
In Game 1, Lavy got the Rascals on the board in the second with a run-scoring double. Meadows made it 3-0 with a two-run blast in the third. The Rascals then scored three more in the fifth, on a sacrifice fly from Braxton Martinez and a two-run shot from Kameron Esthay. The Slammers scored their lone run in the sixth, an RBI single from Harrison Bragg.
Brendan Feldmann (6-1) pitched his fourth complete game of the season, allowing one run over seven innings. He struck out eight without issuing a walk. Keegan Long (3-10) took the loss, allowing six runs over 4 1/3 innings.
In Game 2, neither team scored until the fourth, when Jacob Crum put the Slammers on the board with an RBI fielder’s choice. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Rascals responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, all with two outs. Zach Lavy hit a two-run single and Alvin Swoope drew a bases-loaded walk. Rascals reliever Andrew Vernon worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, while closer Jason Zgardowski pitched a scoreless seventh to earn his 11th save of the season.
Rascals starter Austin Dubsky took a no-decision, allowing one run over four innings with five strikeouts. Anthony Herrera (3-2) earned the win, pitching a clean seventh inning. Wes Albert (1-2) took the loss, allowing three runs over 3 2/3 innings.
The Rascals (51-36) will look for the series sweep over the Slammers (38-48) in tonight’s finale. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. CDT.
