The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Sports

June 20, 2010

Dans polish off Gems

DANVILLE — Being the new guy is never an easy situation.

Unless, you play for the Danville Dans and your first night at Danville Stadium is almost always a good combination.

Right-handed pitcher Tyler Boraz from the University of Louisville tossed two shutout innings of relief and earned his first Prospect League victory as the Danville Dans rallied to beat the Quincy Gems 7-4 to complete the doubleheader sweep.

Danville also came-from-behind to win the opening game 3-2 over Quincy.

“Anytime you can sweep a doubleheader it’s a nice night,’’ Danville manager Steve Bieser said. “The guys did a great job of battling. We got behind and we continued to battle back. They played hard all night long.’’

While pitchers Matt Smith and Wil Browning combined in the opening win for the Dans (9-5), the second game was a test on the Danville pitching staff.

“We were short-handed and we used everything we had,’’ Bieser said. “The guys that we sent out did their job and that is a huge win for us.’’

Brooks Oursler got the start. He was followed by former Salt Fork standout J.D. Learnard, who allowed just one run in 3Ï innings and Boraz had the final two frames.

“I relieved a little this spring, but I’m really not used to it,’’ said Learnard, a freshman from Illinois State. “I got with the coaches and we’ve worked on some things in the bullpen.

“I was glad that I was able to do my job and give this team a chance to win.’’

Bieser said those innings from Learnard were very important. And Learnard knew exactly how Boraz felt coming into the game.

“You are coming out and pitching with completely new guys,’’ said Learnard, who got a loss in that situation last week in Richmond. “You are not very comfortable in that situation, but he did a terrific job.’’

Danville catcher Jason Hamm admitted he didn’t know the name of the Dans new pitcher until he was announced by the public address announcer.

“That’s how we do it in Danville,’’ said Hamm, a two-year veteran of the Dans. “You walk in off the streets and you get the win.

“I did get to catch four pitches from him in the bullpen, but I really had no idea of what his movement was like or his velocity. He came and did a great job.’’

Hamm got the game-winning three-run sixth inning started when he reached on an error.

The senior catcher from St. Leo went to second a groundout advanced to third on Tyler Brubaker’s single to left and scored on a wild pitch as Quincy’s Jimmy Foster was trying to intentionally walk Danville shortstop Sam Frost.

“I saw him throw the first one and the catcher had trouble with it,’’ Hamm said. “I knew I had to be heads-up in case he threw one to the backstop like he did.’’

Bieser pointed out the intentional walk isn’t something a lot of these pitchers and catchers are used to doing.

“We’ve talked with our guys about that and it’s something we will work on in fielding practice,’’ Bieser said.

Cole Bieser followed with a run-scoring single and Brubaker, who snapped 0-for-11 skid with his single to left, scored on a passed ball.

“I’m very confident in Tyler’s ability,’’ Bieser said. “He is extremely hard worker. I know things will go his way eventually.

“In that critical at-bat in the sixth, he was patient but aggressive. He relaxed and let the ball come to him.’’

Cole Bieser and Justin Tierney led the Dans offense with two hits each.

Danville hits the road tonight for a 5:05 p.m. contest against the Dubois Bombers in Huntingburg, Ind.

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