Joliet, Ill. – June 1, 2021 – The Joliet Generals held a lead for only one inning on Tuesday night, but it was enough to steal a victory over the Chicago American Giants.
The Generals (3-0) delivered an epic 4-3 comeback win over the American Giants (0-1) at Lee Pfund Field Tuesday to continue their undefeated start to the season. It was the American Giants debut in their first season in the Midwest Collegiate League.
“This is a group of warriors,” manager Joe Silva said. “I’m really proud of the way they played today.”
Cooper Avery (Nova Southeastern / Naperville, Ill.) delivered a solid performance in his first game on the mound as a General. He allowed two runs (one earned), and missed barrels all night, striking out seven in four innings. The American Giants only recorded three hits off Avery. Corey Graham (Kirkwood / Hazel Crest, Ill.) stole five bases and scored both runs for Chicago.
Noah Jordan (Elmhurst / Bismarck, Ill.) and Kai Formella (Dupage / Elmhurst, Ill.) also threw for Joliet, throwing three and two scoreless innings, respectively. Jordan struck out five in his middle-relief appearance. Formella was cool under pressure in the ninth inning, allowing two baserunners off an error and a dropped third-strike after getting two quick outs. He struck out D.J. Butler (Kirkwood / Chicago, Ill.) looking to end the game.
The Generals’ bats were quiet all night until the later innings. With two outs and runners in scoring position, the newest General Jimmy Cisneros (Harper / Buffalo Grove, Ill.) reached on an error that scored Cole Luedeking (Eastern New Mexico / Freeport, Ill.) and Christian Jacob (Concordia-Chicago / Scottsdale, Ariz.) thanks to alert baserunning.
The turning point came in the bottom of the eighth when Brennan Fischer (Quincy / Westchester, Ill.) ripped an RBI triple down the right field line that scored Joe Virruso (South Suburban / Oak Lawn, Ill) to tie the game 3-3. He scored on a wild pitch that would end up being the winning run.
“Even if we dropped that contest 4-3,” Silva said, “I’m equally as proud of them for how hard they competed. [There was] clutch hitting, pitching all day, some good base running, and we cleaned it up defensively.”
What’s Next
The Generals return to Lee Pfund Field Wednesday for a matchup against the Crestwood Panthers at 7:05 p.m.