Gems rally for victory on two-run single by Thomas in bottom of ninth

QUINCY — Dane Thomas’ single to left field scored the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Quincy Gems defeated the Clinton LumberKings 4-3 in a Prospect League game on Saturday night at QU Stadium.

Jack Payne picked up his first victory of the season after he pitched a scoreless ninth inning with three strikeouts.

The Gems played without first baseman Jake Skrine and shortstop Gino D’Alessio, the team’s top two hitters who were given the night off. Quincy only had three hits in the game and was trailing 3-1 entering the bottom of the ninth when Jackson Galloway greeted reliever Dylan Emmons with a single. Ryan Hutchinson walked, and Jayce Maag was hit by a pitch. 

Logan Smith replaced Emmons. He promptly walked Trent Youngblood on a 3-2 pitch to force in the first run of the inning. Thomas then singled to left, allowing Hutchinson and Maag to score.

The Gems mustered just one hit through five innings, but they tied the game in the sixth. Danny Sperling singled, moved to second when Nick Iannantone was hit by a pitch and scored on Matt Schark’s single.

Starting pitcher Matt Shover allowed just one run in five innings.

Quincy (12-14) is one game behind Burlington (13-13) for second place in the West-Great River Division. The Gems are three games behind first-place Normal (14-10).