Joliet, Ill. – July 2, 2021 – After the team’s worst four-game stretch of the season, the Generals would still be competing for an MCL Championship if the playoffs started on Friday.

In their third loss in four games, the Joliet Generals (10-6) lost their matchup on Friday to the MCL Minutemen (4-11) 8-5 at Dowling Park in Hammond, Ind.

The positive highlights were scarce defensively, with the Generals allowing 14 free bases (walks, errors, hit-by-pitch). Only four of the Minutemen’s eight runs were earned.

“I think it’s just keeping the focus for all nine innings,” manager Joe Silva said. “We looked out of it at times today. The guys are going to have the weekend away from baseball, they’re going to regroup and bounce back stronger.”

Vernon McKinley (Rockford / Streator, Ill.) struck out three and gave up no earned runs in two innings of relief. McKinley now holds a 1.59 ERA out of the pen.

Ryan Kiolbassa (Lake Land / Hoffman Estates, Ill.) extended his hitting-streak to four, while also gunning a Minutemen runner at home-plate from right field. Brandon Matias (Oakton / Glenview, Ill.) collected another RBI-single on Friday, his fourth in two days. Tom Stoodt (Occidental / Chicago, Ill) also drove in a run on a single.

Andrew Smart (Oakton / Evanston, Ill.) led all Generals with three on-base appearances. Smart singled twice and walked in the loss.

What’s Next

The Generals will resume their suspended game from June 12 against the Crestwood Panthers, in which the Generals lead 9-0, on Monday at Lee Pfund Field in Carol Stream, Ill. First pitch is at 5:05, with a second matchup with the Panthers following immediately after.