Joliet, Ill. – August 11, 2021 – It took every ounce of extra will and strength, but the Generals live to see another day, and an opportunity for a championship appearance.

The Joliet Generals (1-1) defeated the Crestwood Panthers (1-1) 11-8 in a 10-inning game at Dowling Park in Hammond, Ind. on Wednesday evening.

The Generals came out of the gates guns-blazing, scoring five runs in the first inning. Bryce Vincent (St. Ambrose / Algonquin, Ill.) and Ryne Wiederer (St. Xavier / Hoffman Estates, Ill.) slapped RBI singles in the first. Vincent and Wiederer both had two hits on the day.

Joliet extended its lead to 8-4 after Ryan Kiolbassa (Lake Land / Hoffman Estates, Ill.) added a sac-fly RBI. Kiolbassa and Brandon Matias (Oakton / Glenview, Ill.) both added insurance with RBI singles.

Crestwood clawed its way back to a 8-8 tie to force extras, but it was all Joliet in the 10th inning.

Andrew DeMatteo (Ripon / Orland Park, Ill.) broke the tie with an RBI double. Matt Santarelli (Western Illinois / Lockport, Ill.) extended the lead to 11-8 with a two-out, two-RBI triple down the right field line.

Nick Vollmert (St. Ambrose / Crystal Lake, Ill.) earned the win out of the bullpen, throwing two and ⅓ innings of scoreless relief, including a one-two-three frame in the 10th. Vollmert gave up just two hits, walked none, and struck out two to shut the door on Crestwood.

“Tomorrow is going to be an all-out war,” manager Joe Silva said. “Today, the boys showed some grit and some mental fortitude when they could have easily turned it in. Our hitting and our defense really backed us up in some important moments, and we are going to come to the ballpark fired up tomorrow.”

What’s Next

The Panthers and Generals face off in the series finale tomorrow night at Oil City Stadium in Whiting, Ind. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. The winner will take on the victor in the Oilmen/Vikings series in the MCL Championship.