Youngblood comes through in clutch to help Gems salvage doubleheader, stay in first

QUINCY — Tyler Youngblood’s two-out two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning broke a 5-5 tie and gave the Quincy Gems a 7-5 victory over the O’Fallon Hoots in the first game of a Prospect League doubleheader on Thursday night at QU Stadium.

Quincy had just five hits and fanned 13 times in seven innings in a 3-0 loss in Game 2.

The Gems (24-25, 11-11 second half) and Clinton (10-10) are tied for the Great River Division lead. Normal (9-12) and Burlington (8-11) are both 1 1/2 games behind.

Quincy starter Jacob Winstead limited the Hoots to one run in five innings. He walked the leadoff batter in the sixth and was removed from the game with the score 4-1. Reliever Loncey Conyers then hit a batter and walked a batter to load the bases. He retired the next two hitters on a strikeout and a popup.

However, J.T. Mabry hit a grand slam to put the Hoots ahead 5-4.

Quincy rebounded in the bottom of the sixth. A walk, a single and an error loaded the bases with one out, but Matt Schark struck out. Tyler Carpenter was hit by a pitch, tying the score. Youngblood, who entered the game in the fourth inning as a defensive replacement, then singled into left field to drive in Ryan Hutchinson and Jake Skrine.

Conyers then picked up the victory, getting three popups in the seventh.

Gems starter Brayden Haug lasted five innings in the second game, allowing single runs in the second, third and fourth. Tyler Carpenter finished with two innings of scoreless relief.

Youngblood had two of Quincy’s five hits.

Five of the Gems’ last 11 games are against Burlington.