Peoria Chiefs extinguish River Bandits’ Rhythm

By Monica Healey

The Peoria Chiefs extinguished the competition with their early lead at Modern Woodman Park on September first in their game against the Quad Cities River Bandits. With the final score being 9-8, Peoria. 

At the top of the first, Peoria started out the game with a five run lead. Number eleven Ramond Mendoza with a three run home run and number nine Chris Rotondo with a two run home run. 

  Peoria had a three up three down and retired the side in the top of the second. Bandits still with only one run. 

The Chiefs had a force out at second base in the bottom of the second when the Quad Cities proved to have a scoring threat. In the bottom of the third the Bandits had the bases loaded with no outs. Peoria called for a meeting on the mound.  

The Quad Cities hit a two run single to score, as well as a fly ball when the runner at third base tagged up and came home.  Peoria had a double play to end the third inning. Still up in score thanks to their lead early on. 

In the top of the sixth, a pass ball allowed number twenty, Brady Moore to get on third base. Number eight, Francisco Hernandez hit a single, to score a run. 

Number twenty-eight, Jimmy Crooks hit a sacrifice fly single, scoring a run. Ramon Mendoza hit an RBI single. Making Peoria have three runs after their earlier runs in the beginning innings, 8-5 Peoria. 

Tomas Fansico hit a home run in the top of the seventh. The Bandits had a two run single as well as a home run to end the game With the Bandits unable to overcome the Chief’s scoring lead, the game ended with a final score of 9-8.