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(Press Release, Photo Credit: Mick Lite)
The Southern Illinois Miners held a 2-1 lead in the middle contest of their three-game home series with the Schaumburg Boomers before a four-run rally in the top of the eighth turned the tables en route to a 5-2 defeat at Rent One Park in Marion.
The Miners got out to another early lead in the second inning, when two consecutive doubles by Chris Burke and Matt Howard, followed by an RBI single from Steve Marino put Southern Illinois up 2-0 before an out was recorded in the inning against Rey Rodriguez.
The lead held thanks to the strong starting pitching of Matt Bywater, as the lefty worked around baserunners in his first six innings, surrendering just three hits and one run, walking three and striking out four.
But after a leadoff runner reached in the seventh for Schaumburg (1-4) and advanced to third with two outs, two hit batters extended the inning until a bases-clearing triple down the left field line by pinch-hitter Ryan Normoyle gave the visitors the lead.
The Miners would threaten against closer Dexter Price in the ninth, but the right-hander worked around two baserunners to get the save.
The rubber match will take place at Rent One Park on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m., with Miners right-hander Miguel Ramirez going up against Boomers righty Cal Bowling in the matchup of starters.
The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2012 Frontier League Champions and have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception. They also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, please contact the Rent One Park box office at 618-998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com
