Connor Carter would make sure he qualified for the win in his first home start on Tuesday night. He struck out five of the first six batters he faced, repeating the same formula used by ‘Shoes pitchers last night.
The ‘Shoes would get the action started early, as a chopper up the middle from Johnny Colombo scored Payton Pennington and Dylan Nevar, giving the ‘Shoes an early 2-0 lead. Pistol Shrimp shortstop Zach Lane and second baseman Jack Johnston miscommunicated, resulting in the ball bouncing off of Johnston. Jacob Compton was caught trying to reach third base on the play, but the runs scored before he was tagged.
The Pistol Shrimp would threaten in the top of the sixth, forcing Connor Carter out of the game with runners on second and third and two outs. Carter would leave the game with 5.2 innings pitched, seven strikeouts, two walks, and zero earned runs.
Richie Snider was inserted to end the threat, and he induced a fly out from Logan Delgado after a miraculous diving catch by Payton Pennington in left field, saving two runs and an extra base hit.
Pistol Shrimp starter Tyler Conklin would settle in nicely after a frustrating first, he would go 4.2 straight scoreless innings with six strikeouts before ‘Shoes first baseman Jacob Compton belted his first home run of the season, giving the ‘Shoes a 3-0 lead heading into the seventh inning.
Lefty Jared Herzog would replace Conklin.
The Shrimp threatened again in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and Jared Quandt at the bat with one away.
Snider would induce a groundout, but they would only get one out as Kody Watanabe would score, cutting the lead to two.
Justin Rios grounded out to second, ending the scare.
Lucas Otto would shut down the Pistol Shrimp in the eighth in relief of Richie Snider.
Herzog would leave the game in the bottom of the eighth after back-to-back walks, leaving Henrik Reinertsen to clean up the mess.
Reinertsen would walk Nathaniel Martinez to load the bases, but Corbin Bassham was unable to cash in the opportunity, keeping the deficit at two.
Christopher Gory seems to have the trust of head coach Zach George, as he was installed to close the ninth, and he did just that, striking out two, and earning his second save of the season.
The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes won their first home game of the season, 3-1.
Connor Carter (1-0) would get his first victory in a ‘Shoes uniform, while Tyler Conklin (0-2) took his second loss of the season after going 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts, two walks, and three earned runs.
Jacob Compton led the way for the Horseshoes offensively, getting on base three times along with his first home run of the season.
The ‘Shoes will make their first trip to Burlington on Wednesday to take on the Bees at 6:30 p.m.
The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp will travel back home to host the Clinton Lumberkings on Wednesday.