Baseball

Joliet, Ill. – June 27, 2021 – Through three hard-fought matchups early this season, the American Giants and Generals are even at 26 runs scored.

Although Joliet (9-4) took the first two games, the Chicago American Giants (8-6) won the third game 11-8 in a matinee matchup on Sunday at Ed Glancy Field in Chicago, Ill.

Nick Vollmert (St. Ambrose / Crystal Lake, Ill.), last week’s MCL Pitcher of the Week, struggled in his third start this year, allowing six earned-runs, while still striking out four hitters in 3 ⅔ innings pitched. After two stellar starts, Vollmert is still only allowing a little over four runs per nine innings-pitched. Kai Formella (Dupage / Elmhurst, Ill.) threw a clean three innings of scoreless relief, striking out four, and now holds a 2.07 ERA. 

The Generals bats were alive early, scoring six runs in the second inning, but they were not able to hold the early lead. Charlie Gannon (MSOE / DeKalb, Ill.) broke out for his best game so far, doubling twice and throwing out a runner from behind the plate. Andrew Smart (Oakton / Evanston, Ill.) drove in four runners and went 1-for-4. The first three Generals in the lineup; Ryan Kiolbassa (Lake Land, Hoffman Estates, Ill), Brennan Fisher (Quincy / Westchester, Ill.), and Christian Seegers (Oakton / Schaumburg, Ill.) all collected two hits on Sunday.

The Generals hit safely twelve times in the loss. 

“After we put up six [and they responded] with three, their guy got into a little bit of a groove and we didn’t adjust,” manager Joe Silva said. “We put up a good fight to tie the ballgame up, but I think we just ran out of gas at the end.”

These two teams are scheduled to meet six more times this season, with Joliet leading the series 2-1.

“[Facing them] is going to be an absolute battle,” Silva said. “They’re a group of great guys over there, there is a group of great guys in our dugout who both play the game well on both ends. Darold [Butler] is a great coach and he’s got his guys fired up and playing well. You’re going to see a lot more close contests between us two, I can guarantee it.”

What’s Next

The Generals face off against the Southland Vikings (6-11) on Monday for a 5:05 p.m. first-pitch at Dowling Park.