Baseball

Chicago Heights, Ill. – June 30, 2022 – The Generals were able to take control of an important game in the late innings to knock off the Panthers.

They won by a score of 14-6. Joliet is now a half-game above Crestwood for the final playoff spot.

It was a game of momentum as the Generals got out to an early 5-0 lead. However, the Panthers battled back and were able to tie the game at six in the sixth inning. With the game in the balance, Joliet was able to grab eight runs in the last couple of innings to secure the victory.

“Our guys executed down the stretch very well and kept it simple and the results were there,” Manager Joe Silva said. “Proud of our fight all week.”

Part of the go-ahead runs in the five-run eighth inning was a huge two-run home run by Brennan Fisher that just got over the right-field wall. It was Fisher's first of the year and fifth for the team this year.

“My approach was just to hit the ball in play and try to get the runner home,” Fisher said. “It was a close game at that point and I just wanted to help the team win.”

Along with the offense that was hot in the late innings, the bullpen also did great work while the momentum was heavily favoring the Panthers. Sava Dupor out of the bullpen pitched in the seventh and eighth inning allowing no runs and just three hits.

“He had two pitches for a strike whenever he wanted,” Silva said. “He showed flashes in his appearances for us last year and today we saw the Sava Dupor we know.”

Even with one more week left until the All-Star break the Generals are still working on improving all aspects of their game.

“I think the biggest thing for us is staying positive and keeping the momentum throughout the whole course of the game,” Fisher said. “Positivity will carry us a long way.”

The Generals have four days off before they take on the Lake County Corn Dogs on Tuesday at Legacy Fields. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the broadcast will be available on Facebook Live.