Miles Hamblin breaks up no-hitter in seventh, drives in winning run in the ninth for Quad Cities

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (MAY 3, 2013) - Held hitless for 6 2/3 innings Friday night by South Bend Silver Hawks right-hander Brandon Sinnery, the Quad Cities River Bandits rallied for single runs in each of the final three innings for a 3-2 victory that snapped the home team's seven-game winning streak and kept Quad Cities from its first three-game losing skid of the season.

Sinnery held the River Bandits (16-10) to two walks and a hit batter, and he had retired nine in a row and held a 2-0 lead with two outs and the bases empty in the seventh inning. Quad Cities first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki then hit a ground ball to shortstop Pedro Ruiz, who threw into the dirt at first for an error allowing Wierzbicki to reach with two outs in the seventh inning. Designated hitter Miles Hamblin followed by grounding a single up the middle to break up the deepest no-hit effort in a game against Quad Cities this season.

With two out and runners at first and second, catcher Roberto Peña then grounded a ball up the middle that Ruiz fielded and tried flipping to second baseman Fidel Peña, but the errant throw allowed Wierzbicki to race around third base and score, making it 2-1. The hit by Roberto Peña extended his hitting streak to 11 games - the longest for a River Bandit this season.

Sinnery finished seven innings with two hits allowed, one unearned run, two walks and eight strikeouts. Right-hander Chris Capper (2-1) took over to start the eighth inning. After Capper retired the first two batters, River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez launched his first Midwest League home run to the bleachers above the left field fence to tie the game, 2-2.

In the bottom of the eighth, Quad Cities left-hander Brian Holmes (3-2) allowed a leadoff bunt single by center fielder Socrates Brito and another single to designated hitter Brandon Drury. But Holmes then deflected a line drive by third baseman Ryan Court that went on a bounce to shortstop Joe Sclafani, who turned a double play. With a runner at third, Holmes induced a ground ball by left fielder Alex Glenn to Sclafani at shortstop for the final out to preserve the tie. Holmes finished three shutout innings with three hits and three strikeouts in relief of right-hander Jordan Jankowski, who allowed the Silver Hawks' two runs on Drury's first-inning home run and Fidel Peña's second-inning RBI double.

In the ninth inning against Capper, Wierzbicki drove a double to the right-field corner and advanced to third base on a pickoff throw that went into center field and was bobbled by Brito. Hamblin then lined a single to right for the go-ahead run. Right-hander John Neely came on to retire the Silver Hawks (18-7) in order in the ninth to earn his fourth save. Friday's victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, May 4. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Saturday, May 4.

The River Bandits remained three games out of first place in the Midwest League Western Division and will begin a three-game road series against the West Michigan Whitecaps at 5:35 p.m. Saturday. Quad Cities right-hander and April Pitcher of the Month Vincent Velasquez (3-0) and left-hander Joe Bircher (1-0) will face Whitecaps right-hander Yorfrank Lopez (2-1).

UP NEXT: Time is running out to reserve tickets for the Mother's Day Brunch on the Sky Deck of Modern Woodmen Park. Reservations must be made in advance by Monday, May 6, for the brunch preceding the River Bandits game Sunday, May 12. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 2275

An Act Concerning: State Government

Increases the powers and duties of the Department of Aging through the use of data-sharing agreements and makes several Community Care Program reforms.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: HB 2381

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Makes immediate the effective date of Public Act 97-1138, which clarifies the transfer of the armory from the Department of Military Affairs to the city of Salem, and clarifies that the location of the new Readiness Center is in Mt. Vernon, instead of Salem.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Twelve  North   Scott   High School  students - Ansel Bare, Laura Bainter, Kenzie Carmody, Jordyn Head, Sami Maher, Dexter Golinghorst, Gretchen Mohr, Alexander Bare, Allie Stutting, Dan Stutting, Ali Watkins, Halle Wilmott - qualified for the National History Day contest next month at the   University  of Maryland. The students competed this week in the senior division of the National History Day in Iowa state contest and will represent Iowaat the national contest. See press release below for more information.

38 Iowa students win National History Day in Iowa contest

Students advance to national contest at University ofMaryland next month

DES MOINES - Thirty-eight Iowa students took top honors in a statewide history contest this week and will represent Iowa at the National History Day competition next month at the University of Maryland.

The 38 students competed against 275 other students in the senior division (grades 9-12) of the National History Day in Iowa contest this week at the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines. About 375 students in grades 6-8 will compete in the NHD in Iowa junior division contest Monday, also at the State Historical Museum.

Students advancing from the senior and junior division state contests will compete against nearly 2,500 students from the United States, Guam, America Samoa, Department of Defense Schools in Europe, and Shanghai, China, June 9-14, 2013, at the 2013 Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland.

National History Day is an academic-enrichment program that helps students learn about historical issues, ideas, people and events. The year-long academic adventure fosters students' enthusiasm for learning and encourages them to use primary, secondary, community and statewide resources on a subject of their choice related to an annual theme. The theme for 2013 is "Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events.

Working individually or collaboratively in groups of two to five, students compete in the following categories: historical papers, individual and group exhibits, documentaries, performances and websites. Nearly 10,000 Iowa students competed in the program this year, with winners at school and district competitions advancing to the state contests inDes Moines.

In addition to helping students discover the world of the past, the NHD program helps them develop the following attributes that are critical for future success:

• critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• research and reading skills
• oral and written communication and presentation skills
• self-esteem and confidence
• a sense of responsibility for and involvement in the democratic process

The NHD in Iowa program has been coordinated by the State Historical Society of Iowa since 1994 and is sponsored by the State Historical Society, Inc., and the History Channel. More information about NHD in Iowa is available at www.iowahistory.org or by contacting Millie Frese at 515-281-6860 or millie.frese@iowa.gov.

Local Students Participate In Education Senior Showcase at Central College

PELLA, IA (05/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Local students participated in the Education Department Senior Showcase at Central College in Pella, Iowa, on April 29. Students presented their portfolios, student teaching experience and progress monitoring projects. The event was meant to honor and celebrate Central's student teachers.

The following senior majors participated:

Emily Huegel of Bettendorf, Iowa, elementary education major

Nancy Huddleston of Muscatine, Iowa, mathematics major

Stephanie Hasken of Davenport, Iowa, exercise science major

Kevin Templeton of Muscatine, Iowa, music education - vocal major

Allison Garman Presents Social Research at Central College

PELLA, (05/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Allison Garman, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa, presented a group semester-long research project at Central College on April 29. The research was done as part of the Methods of Social Research course. The presentation was titled: "Grief Among College Students."

Garman is a sophomore sociology and English major at Central College.

Patricia Braun Presented Senior Honors Thesis at Central College

PELLA, (05/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Patricia Braun of Davenport, Iowa presented a senior honors thesis at Central College in Pella, Iowa, on Thursday, April 25. The title of the thesis was: "Chlamydial RodZ Homolog CT009 Interacts with Actin-Like Protein MreB using Conserved Interaction Residues when Localized to the Inner Membrane Chlamydial RodZ Homolog CT009 Interacts with Actin-Like Protein MreB using Conserved Interaction Residues when Localized to the Inner Membrane."

A senior thesis is a yearlong, specialized, independent study course carried out within the student's major discipline. Braun, a biology, Spanish and international studies major, was awarded an honors designation on their final transcript.

Honors at Central College provides a distinct, but flexible plan encouraging student creativity, intellectual engagement and leadership. Beginning broadly the first year, Honors gradually focuses by helping students move towards greater independence, more advanced work in a discipline and increased leadership responsibilities.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics.