From the Southern Illinois Miners

FLORENCE- KY The Southern Illinois Miners made a huge late comeback on Saturday night, scoring six runs in the seventh inning and the final seven runs total in the contest to topple the Florence Freedom 11-8 at UC Health Stadium for their fourth win in a row and fifth in their last six overall, clinching the weekend road series.

Miners SS Craig Massey went 3-4 at the plate driving in three runs in last night’s 11-8 victory over Florence (SI Miners photo)

The Miners again on a leadoff double by Craig Massey and a sacrifice fly by Nolan Earley grabbed an early 1-0 advantage in the first inning against Freedom starter Jordan Kraus, but Florence would respond with four runs in their half of the frame, including two-out RBI doubles by Collins Cuthrell and Andrew Godbold to take a 4-1 lead. An unearned run in the second inning made the score 5-1, but the Miners would respond. Earley came up with two outs in the third and launched a solo home run, his second homer of the series, to make it a 5-2 game, and back-to-back RBI hits by Massey and Romeo Cortina got the Miners within a single tally at 5-4 in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom half, Florence loaded the bases with two outs, and Andre Mercurio got both runs back with a single that made it 7-4. Cuthrell then took the very next pitch deep to left-center field, but an incredible, home-run-robbing catch by Ryan Sluder kept the contest a three-run game. After a scoreless fifth inning, a leadoff walk issued by Tre Hobbs (1-0) to Daniel Fraga turned into a run on a subsequent single, fielder’s choice and groundout to make the score 8-4 after six innings. But the game would then take a huge turn in the Miners’ favor in the top of the seventh.

Against relief pitcher Mike Anthony (0-1), Southern Illinois mounted a big comeback. A single and two walks loaded the bases with one out for Anthony Critelli, who also drew ball four to force in a run and make it 8-5. Sluder followed with an RBI single to slice the deficit to 8-6, and Anthony was removed for Jamal Wilson. Massey, with the bases still loaded, then struck the biggest blow of the game, smacking a triple down the left field line that cleared the bases and vaulted the Miners in front 9-8. Cortina’s sacrifice fly brought home Massey for a 10-8 lead to complete the six-run frame, and in the next inning, Brett Wiley homered to right-center to make the score 11-8.

The Southern Illinois bullpen shut the Freedom down from there, with Paul Young and John Werner, who worked the ninth for his 16th save of the season, combining for eight strikeouts in three innings to clinch the series. Massey led the charge offensively by finishing a homer away from the cycle, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBIs. Cortina and Earley each had two RBIs as well, while Wiley went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one driven in. Hobbs recorded his first pro win in relief as the Miners tied their season-best with their fourth consecutive victory.

The Miners will go for a sweep on Sunday at 5:05 p.m., with Corey Sessions on the hill against Florence’s Braulio Torres-Perez.

The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2016 Frontier League West Division Champions, the 2014 and 2015 Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at (618) 998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Press Release from the St. Louis Cardinals

ST. LOUIS, MO – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that Memphis (AAA) outfielder Harrison Bader and Palm Beach (High-A) starting pitcher Jordan Hicks have been honored as the Cardinals Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for July for their accomplishments on the field.

Bader, 23, batted .314 (22-for-70) with six home runs, two doubles, and 12 RBI in 21 games during the month, while also scoring 18 runs and stealing a team-leading five bases.

The 6-foot-0, 200-lb. centerfielder, who recently became the sixth Cardinal to make his Major League debut this season, started six games in centerfield for St. Louis and batted .286 (6-for-21) with two doubles and two walks. He scored the game-winning run in his Major League debut on July 25 vs. Colorado, as the Cardinals won in walk-off fashion.

The right-handed hitting Bader began the season as a non-roster invite to Major League Spring Training and was assigned to Memphis. He is batting .297 with 19 home runs and 48 RBI in 97 games with the triple-A Redbirds, and leads the organization in total bases (181), ranks 2nd in home runs, 3rd in runs scored (62) and T3rd in hits (104).

Bader was the Cardinals third round draft pick (100th overall) out of the University of Florida in the June, 2015 First-Year Player Draft. The outfielder played on the Gators College World Series team in June 2015 and made his triple-A debut with Memphis on July 6, 2016. Entering the 2017 season, Bader was rated as the No. 7 prospect in the Cardinals system by Baseball America.

“With a strong performance both offensively and in the outfield, Harrison helped lead Memphis to their 23 wins during July, highlighted by his call-up to St. Louis at the end of the month,” said Cardinals Director of Player Development, Gary LaRocque.

Hicks, 20, the Cardinals 3rd round Supplemental pick (105th overall) in the June, 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Cyress Creek (Tex.) High School, went 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA (25.0 IP/3 ER), 30 strikeouts and five walks in five combined starts between Peoria (A) and Palm Beach (High-A) last month.

Hicks’ 0.84 WHIP during the month ranked 11th among all single-A pitchers, while his ERA was T14th. The starting pitcher did not allow a home run to any of the 94 batters he faced in July and recorded a 2.42 groundout/flyout ratio, the 7th-highest mark in Class A.

After setting career highs in innings (8.0), pitches (103) and strikeouts (9) in an 8-1 win on July 2 at Kane County, Hicks was promoted to Palm Beach, where he finished July with a 0-1 record, 1.59 ERA (17.0 IP/3 ER) and 21 strikeouts over four starts. Since allowing three runs in his debut start with Palm Beach, the right-hander has made three scoreless starts while shutting out the opposition over his last 14.0 innings.

“Following his Midwest League Mid-Season All Star selection, Jordan was promoted to the Florida State League and was impressive in four games during July for the Palm Beach Cardinals,” said LaRocque.
The Texas native began the 2017 season 8-2 with a 3.35 ERA (78.0 IP/29 ER) and 63 strikeouts in 14 starts with the Chiefs before his promotion.

Overall this season between Peoria and Palm Beach, the 6-foot-2, 185 lb. right-hander ranks 7th in the Cardinals organization in strikeouts (84) and ERA (3.03), T7th in starts (18) and wins (8), and 10th in innings pitched (95.0).

The minor league honor is the first for Hicks and second for Bader, who won the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Month for April 2016.

Press Release for St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced the addition of four new Theme Nights for the 2017 season.
Grab your boots and head down to the ballpark on Friday, September 8, for Country Music Night presented by Q in the Lou. Fans who purchase a special theme ticket will receive a one-of-a-kind country-themed Cardinals snapback hat. Fans are invited to arrive early to enjoy a pregame concert in Riverview Corner by American Idol winner and lifelong Cardinals fan, Trent Harmon.

On Tuesday, September 12, the Cardinals will host Old School Wrestling Night at Busch Stadium. With the purchase of a special theme ticket, fans will receive a specially designed Cardinals World Championship Belt t-shirt. Fans will also be able to enjoy a pregame autograph session/meet and greet featuring old-school legends “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Road Warrior Animal and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat.

On Thursday, September 14, the Cardinals are teaming up with FOX 2 and KPLR Channel 11 to host the 13th annual Career Day at Busch Stadium presented by Westminster College. Geared toward high school students and educators, Career Day features a special pregame Q&A/panel discussion with executives from the Cardinals, FOX 2, KPLR and Westminster College, focusing on careers in sports and media, followed by an exclusive College Fair with representatives from many colleges and universities around the Midwest. Each $15 Career Day ticket includes access to all of the pregame activities, a ticket to the 12:45 p.m. game against the Cincinnati Reds, as well as a voucher for a free hot dog, soda and chips.

As the school year kicks into gear, the Cardinals invite all college students to Busch Stadium for one last summer bash at College Night III. All fans that purchase a special $20 theme ticket for the game on Tuesday, September 26, against the Chicago Cubs will receive an exclusive Cardinals baseball t-shirt, designed by STL Style.

Fans can purchase tickets for these Theme Nights and view the remaining 2017 Theme schedule at cardinals.com/theme. (#CardsTheme