Gems’ Season Ends with 8-7 Walk-off win Over Hoots

Even though neither the Hannibal Hoots nor the Quincy Gems will be playing post season baseball next week, the final installment of the 2018 Battle for the Paddle was closely contested, resulting in an 8-7 walk-off win for the Gems at QU Stadium Friday night.

Hannibal opened the scoring in the first when center fielder Patrick Donohue singled, stole second and scored on a triple by second baseman Josh Lane, who scored on a ground out by third baseman Joe Roscetti.

Quincy answered back with three of their own in the first. With one out, third baseman Ryan Mantle and second baseman Cody Birdsong launched solo home runs, followed by three singles, including an RBI base hit by first baseman Matt Crook.

The Gems scored two more in the second and another run in the third, taking a 6-2 lead.

The Hoots battled back with a run in the fifth on a lead off home run by DH Chris Iazzetta, two more in the sixth on an RBI single by first baseman Alex Satunas and a run scoring double by Iazzetta.

Hannibal tied the game in the seventh on a hit batsman, a walk and an error. Quincy retook the lead in the bottom of the inning on a home run by DH Cody Klotz.

The Hoots made it 7-7 in the eighth when Iazzetta drove in his third run of the night with a base hit.

Quincy won it in the tenth when center fielder Francisco Rodriguez singled and was driven in with a double off the bat of Birdsong.

The loss drops the Hoots to 24-35, while the Gems' season ends at 33-27.

Hannibal's season ends Friday when the Springfield Sliders come to Clemens Field for a 6:35 p.m. match-up.