Quincy High School

Quincy and Union City split a Big 8 Conference doubleheader Tuesday, with the Orioles taking Game 1 in convincing fashion, 9-2, before dropping a tightly contested nightcap, 3-1. In the opener, Quincy took control early and never looked back. The Orioles broke things open in the second inning when Seth VanStelle delivered a two-run double and Joe Gray added an RBI walk. Quincy extended the lead in the third, as Christian Craven drew a bases-loaded walk and Cobee Stevens followed with an RBI single. Stevens earned the win on the mound, settling in after a busy start to toss 5.2 innings while allowing just one run on six hits. He struck out one and walked four. Kale Dirschell came on in relief to record the final four outs and secure the save. Offensively, Quincy pounded out nine hits, led by the middle of the order. JJ Wright went 3-for-4, while Bryson Estlow added two hits and two RBIs. VanStelle, Craven, Stevens, and Ethan Drumm each contributed an RBI as the Orioles showed patience at the plate with six walks. Game 2 turned into a pitcher’s duel, with Union City edging Quincy 3-1. The Orioles struck first in the opening inning when Stevens drew a walk with the bases loaded to bring home a run. However, Union City answered quickly, taking advantage of early walks to score twice in the bottom of the first and add another run in the second on an RBI single. Quincy struggled to generate offense despite drawing eight walks and facing five different Union City pitchers. The Orioles managed just two hits on the game singles from JJ Wright and Seth VanStelle. Joe Gray delivered an outstanding relief performance, entering with two outs in the first inning and keeping Quincy within striking distance. Gray tossed 5.1 innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven. Wright was tagged with the loss after a brief start. With the split, Quincy now turns its attention to hosting the Oriole Classic this Saturday with a game starting at 9am..