Gems can’t climb out of 7-0 hole as losing streak hits three

QUINCY, Ill. — Six hits, two walks and three errors in the first three innings put the Quincy Gems in a 7-0 hole, and the Normal CornBelters went on to win 15-5 on Sunday night in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium.

The loss extends Quincy’s losing streak to three after it won its season opener.

Starter Bennett Stice allowed seven runs in the first three innings, but only three were earned. Quincy High School graduate Cole Parkhill allowed three runs in four innings of relief.

The Gems go within 7-4 after Jack Payne’s two-run single and Matt Schark’s two-run double in the fifth inning. However, the Cornbelters scored once in the sixth, twice in the seventh and five times in the ninth off reliever Bailey Wendell.

Pinch-hitter Brayden Eftink hit an RBI double in the ninth for the Gems (1-3), who had seven hits but six errors in the game.