Tuesday June 30, 2009
Lisle, IL
Tim Wealton
The Dupage Dragons looked to improve to one game over .500 on Tuesday night, hosting the Springfield Sliders. Big 6’5 right-hander Colin O’Connell, (Riverside, CA/Cal-State Fullerton), took the mound, and looked very impressive through his first few innings against the visiting Springfield Sliders.
The Dragons started off the third inning right, with Matt Miribal, (Chicago, IL/Illinois State University), reaching on a bunt for base hit, and Austin Kingsolver, (Dana Point CA, Cal-State Fullerton), reaching on an infield single. The Dragons could not capitalize however, and were retired before any runs could be plated.
Leading off the 4th inning for the Sliders was Ryan Mooney, who had a hard hit double off O’Connell to start the inning. A sacrifice fly to right would advance the runner to third, before O’Connell would strike out TJ Blanton, and Scott Thornburg to get out of trouble.
O’Connell would give up a solo-shot to lead off the 5th inning to David Alday, before retiring the following two batters. O’Connell would walk 2nd baseman Mike McQuillan, before retiring Adam Muenster to end the inning.
Barrett Serrato, (West Chicago, IL/Purdue), singled and stole second the lead off the Dragons half of the inning, but would stay stranded at second after the Dragons were sent down.
David Alday would walk to lead off the 7th inning, before Phil Schreiber came in to pinch run. A single from Anthony Clark would put two runners on, one of whom would score on the sacrifice fly from Mike McQuillan to put the Sliders ahead 2-0.
The Dragons would score in the 8th inning, first plating a run on an RBI-double from Austin Kingsolver. The bases were loaded for Greg Stolzenburg, (St. Charles, IL/Elgin Community College), but on a called third strike, Stolzenburg would be sent back to the dugout. Andrew Brauer would walk in a run to tie it up 2-2 in the inning.
The Dragons got Brian Martin, (Glen Ellyn, IL/College of Dupage), on with a single in the bottom of the ninth, who then proceeded to steal second. And with two outs, Austin Kingsolver would beat out a throw for an infield single, and a heads up play from Martin, would plate the winning run. Martin rounded third on the single, and crossed the plate for a Dragons victory.
The Dragons continue their home stand tomorrow night against the Butler Blue Sox. Visit www.dupagedragons.com for ticket information.
