Winstead gets out of sixth-inning jam, helps Gems salvage doubleheader split

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Jacob Winstead stranded the tying run at third base in the sixth inning, then set down the Cape Catfish in order in the seventh inning to help the Quincy Gems win 3-2 in the second game of a Prospect League doubleheader on Sunday at Capaha Field. 

The Catfish won the first game 8-5. 

The Gems (20-19, 7-5 second half) stayed in first place of the Great River Conference of the West Division, a half-game ahead of Normal (6-5). The Cornbelters and the Burlington Bees had a doubleheader rained out on Sunday.

Quincy tied the score in the second game at 1-1 when Matt Schark drove in Gino D’Alessio with a two-out single. The Gems then took the lead with two runs in the fifth inning. D’Alessio hit a triple to score Andrew Fay, and he scored on Ryan Hutchinson’s sacrifice fly.

Quincy starter Jake Stipp allowed two hits and two runs in 5⅓ innings. Winstead took over with one out and a runner on first. After getting Giovanni Del Negro to fly out, Jackson Jarvis doubled to score a run. However, Winstead struck out Seth Johnson to end the inning.

The Gems had just three hits in the second game.

In the fifth inning of the first game, D’Alessio doubled and scored on a single by Schark to tie the score at 2-2.

However, the Catfish scored six times in the bottom of the fifth against starter Bennett Stice and reliever Jack Payne.

Quincy scored three runs in the top of the sixth. The Gems loaded the bases with one out, and the Catfish brought in reliever Marshall Brown. Dane Thomas drove in a run when he grounded out to first base. D’Alessio then singled in two runs. 

The Gems loaded the bases in the seventh inning by way of an error and two walks. However, reliever Trey McDaniel struck out Bryce Miller and Fay to end the game.

Schark had two RBIs in the doubleheader and now leads the Prospect League with 46 RBIs this season. D’Alessio had four hits in the doubleheader, and his .394 batting average now ranks only behind Chase Carney of Champion City (.412) and Rob Weissheier of the REX (.408).