Chicago Ill.- June 5- Solid pitching and a homerun was the perfect formula to draw up another win on the season.

The Minutemen started out firing on all cylinders, scoring five runs in the second inning. They paired a hot start with great pitching, and a homerun to put the cherry on top. The Minutemen (2-3) beat the Chicago American Giants (1-3) 7-5. This was the third time the two teams faced each other this week. The Minutemen won the week’s series 2-1.

In the second inning, Brennan Brogni (Illinois Springfield/ Flagstaff, Ariz.) led off the lineup, and was immediately hit by the pitch. The next batter up would contribute something no Minutemen has done all season. Ryan Nelson (Eastern Kentucky/ Aurora, Ill.) hits a bomb over the center field fence for the first Minutemen home run of the season. Nelson was able to bring Brogni and himself home to put the Minutemen up two. Later on, Isaiah Gaines (Prairie State/ Homewood, Ill.), Alphonzo Franks (Southeastern Illinois/ Munster, Ind.), and Mike Kozsewski (Cincinnati/ Oak Brook, Ill.) scored in the same inning to put the Minutemen up 5-0.

Manager Deandre Gilmore couldn’t be happier for Nelson and his accomplishment.

“I’m really happy for him. He’s a guy we had to talk to and tell him to slow everything down and not put too much pressure on himself. After that, he was able to go up there and take care of his at bats,” Gilmore said.

On top of putting up runs on the scoreboard early, the team was great from the mound as well. Starting pitcher Ethen Otstott (Prairie State/ Oak Forest, Ill.) pitched six innings in tonight’s game. He only allowed one run, struck out two batters, and left the game scoreless until the sixth inning. He only gave up three hits in those six innings as well. 

Gilmore was really impressed with Otstott’s performance against the American Giants.

“Ethen is going to be a guy that can hit his spots. He’s a low eighty’s pitcher, so he’s not going to overpower you. He knows exactly what he needs to do to beat a guy one on one. He’s going to be able to hit his spots all the time and throw strikes. As long as that happens, he’s going to see quality pitching and quality innings,” Gilmore said.

Otstott earned the win in tonight’s game.

When the game got close in the seventh inning after the American Giants posted four runs to put them within two, Gilmore knew it was time to bring in a closer. Doug Loden (Joliet JC/ St. John, Ind.) was moved from third base to pitcher. Loden only allowed one hit in two innings and gave up zero runs. He struck out the last two batters in the ninth to seal the deal. Loden was awarded with the save in the win.

The Minutemen will have a day off tomorrow, but on Monday, they will take on the Crestwood Panthers for the second time this season. That game will be at Irving Park at 5:05 pm. Follow @MclMinutemen on Twitter to keep up with all the latest Minutemen news and updates, and follow @MCLMinutemen on Facebook to catch the live streams of every game.