The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes inflicted their own set of heartbreak after the tough loss to Alton with a 5-4 thriller in O’Fallon on Sunday.

Two-way players were on full display, with Corbin Bassham, Jake Curtis (1-0), and Johnny Colombo all toeing the rubber for the ‘Shoes.

Nolan Miller took the mound for the O’Fallon Hoots, and threw seven strong innings of two-run ball, striking out three.

Bassham got the start for the ‘Shoes, and was in trouble from the get-go.

Colin Bergmann hit a two-out, RBI single to left field, scoring Evan Albrecht, and giving the Hoots a 1-0 lead after one.

Cade Hohl added to the lead with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 2nd, scoring Sam Maddox..

Jaden Myren continued his quest to smash baseballs with an RBI triple in the third, scoring Case Sparks, cutting the lead in half, 2-1. Myren is 7-for-16 to start this season, and he also added a double to his ledger.

After a scoreless third, the Hoots got back to scoring with a two-run homerun from first baseman Cole Robinson, stretching the lead to three entering the fifth inning, and all but ending Corbin Bassham’s night.

The ‘Shoes began their comeback in the sixth inning with an RBI double to right field from Case Sparks, making it a 4-2 game.

After three and a third scoreless innings from Jake Curtis, the ‘Shoes put on an offensive display against reliever Alfred Ulloa in the 8th inning, with a two-out rally capped by a two-run double from Auburn commit Alex Wade, scoring Dylan Nevar and Jacob Compton.

A passed ball and a wild pitch later, Wade was in to score, giving the ‘Shoes a 5-4 advantage heading into the bottom of the eighth.

The bullpen was determined to keep the Hoots at bay. Jake Curtis, Johnny Colombo, and Christopher Gory combined for zero runs, five strikeouts, and zero walks, something that was a major issue the night before against Alton.

Jake Curtis would earn his first win of the season, and Christopher Gory earned his first save.

Alfred Ulloa (0-1) spoiled Nolan Miller’s gem, allowing three runs and earning his first loss.

The Lucky Horseshoes improve to 2-3 and return home on Monday night to take on the Cape Catfish, who took the first game in Cape Girardeau, 8-6.

The O’Fallon Hoots fall to 1-4 and play their next game against the same Catfish in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday.