Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp blast 5 homers, rout REX

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp hit five home runs – including two each from Damen Castillo and Tom Jurack – in a 17-7, eight-inning rout of the Wabash Valley REX on Sunday at Veterans Park in Peru.

The Shrimp fell behind, 5-0, before tying the game with a five-run third behind two-run homers by Andy Nelson and Castillo and a solo shot from Jurack.

Jurack smashed a three-run bomb in the fifth before the Shrimp exploded for seven runs in the sixth.

In the sixth, Castillo belted a three-run shot – his 13th homer of the season – Justin Rios hit a two run double, Keyshawn Ogans had an RBI double and Nelson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Garry Maynard had an RBI single and Castillo drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth to end the game.

Castillo finished 2 for 3 with six RBIs and three runs scores, while Jurack went 3 for 5 with four RBIs and three runs scored.

Tyler Conklin earned the win in relief, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing two hits, striking out six batters and walking one.

The Pistol Shrimp (24-34) wrap up the season with a two-game homestand against the Lafayette Aviators at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Veterans Park in Peru.