Quigley Sets Single Season Save Record

Joliet native Ryan Quigley has already accomplished a lot in his sports career.

He can add the Frontier League’s single-season saves record to the list. Quigley gave up a run in the ninth but struck out Doug Thennis to end the game as the Slammers knocked off the Washington Wild Things by a final score of 6-4 Saturday night.

Quigley, a former high school quarterback who was part of three Joliet Catholic state championships, made things interesting as usual on his way to the record.

After striking out Kevyn Feiner to start the frame, he walked Tim Battle. Jonathan Cisneros followed with a single and Quigley walked pinch hitter Scott Lawson to load the bases. He struck out Ryan Ditthardt but then Chris Sidick beat out an infield single to cut the Joliet lead to 6-4. Thennis, who had already homered on the night, stepped to the plate. Quigley struck him out to end the game and enter the record books with his 27th save of the season.      

The Frontier League is in its 19th campaign and Quigley entered the game tied with Matt Petty of Windy City (2007) and P.J. Zocchi of Oakland County (2010) for the most saves in one season. He now stands alone.

To get Quigley his record, the Slammers once again struck early against Washington.

With one away in the first, Brad Netzel was hit by a pitch. Then with two down Erik Lis beat out an infield single. That brought up Kyle Maunus who delivered with a two RBI double that was nearly caught by a diving Luis Rivera in right field. It went in and out of Rivera’s glove and Netzel and Lis crossed the plate with the first runs of the game.

Joliet continued to put the pressure on Washington starter Gary Lee in the second inning.

Sean Estand doubled to start the frame and David Fox followed with a double of his own to drive in Estand. Ben Hewett bunted Fox to third and Tobi Adeyemi contributed a RBI grounder to extend Joliet’s lead to 4-0.

Washington rallied in the sixth as Sidick singled to lead things off and Thennis followed with a two run home run as Joliet’s lead was cut to 5-2.

Jake Renshaw went six innings, giving up only four hits, two runs, both earned, no walks, and he recorded three strike outs to pick up his league-leading 12th victory of the season.  

Brian Smith tossed a scoreless eighth to set up Quigley in the ninth.

With the win the Slammers reduce their magic number to make the playoffs to two. They’ll look to sweep the series Sunday night as Jeremy Tietze makes his second professional start.