The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes picked up their first victory of the 2026 Prospect League season Friday night, defeating the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp 10-8 in an entertaining season-opening contest at Robin Roberts Stadium.
Illinois Valley struck first in the top of the first inning when Ximi Baftiri drove in Nolan Galla with a groundout to give the Pistol Shrimp a 1-0 lead. Springfield wasted little time responding. Griffin Novacek brought home a run on a fielder’s choice before Marco Lopez delivered the game’s biggest swing, crushing a grand slam to left field to cap a five-run first inning and put the Horseshoes in front 5-1.
The Pistol Shrimp battled back throughout the game. Chase Roberts scored on an error in the third inning before Illinois Valley added two more runs in the fourth to trim the deficit to 5-4. Springfield answered in the bottom half of the inning when Brandon Valentin lined an RBI single to left, extending the lead back to two runs.
After Chris Danko’s solo home run in the sixth pulled Illinois Valley within 6-5, the Horseshoes created some breathing room in the seventh. Griffin Novacek scored on a wild pitch before Ryan Dabe delivered a clutch three-run double to left field, bringing home Kannon Kirk, Dylan England, and Trey Blanchette to push Springfield’s lead to 10-5.
Illinois Valley refused to go quietly. Nolan Galla drove in a run in the eighth inning, and Phoenix Brant launched a two-run homer in the ninth to cut the deficit to 10-8. However, Springfield was able to secure the final outs and seal the victory.
Tadeáš Kalcev earned the win out of the bullpen, tossing three innings while allowing just one run and striking out three. Logan Miller started for the Horseshoes, and Anthony Ribes worked the ninth inning to help close out the victory.
Springfield finished with nine hits and drew seven walks, while Illinois Valley collected five hits but took advantage of eight walks to stay within striking distance throughout the night.
Top Performers
Springfield Lucky Horseshoes
- Marco Lopez: 1-for-3, Grand Slam, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored
- Ryan Dabe: 2-for-4, Double, 3 RBI
- Brandon Valentin: 3-for-5, RBI
- Trey Blanchette: 2-for-5, 2 runs scored
- Griffin Novacek: RBI, run scored, walk
Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp
- Phoenix Brant: 2-for-4, Home Run, 2 RBI
- Chris Danko: 1-for-4, Home Run, RBI, 2 runs scored
- Nolan Galla: 2 RBI, run scored
- Brayden Stufft: 1-for-4, run scored
- Max French: 1-for-5, run scored
With the victory, Springfield improves to 1-0 on the young season, while Illinois Valley falls to 0-1. The Horseshoes scored in five different innings and used a dominant first inning along with a late offensive surge to secure their first win of 2026.
The two teams won’t have to wait long for a rematch. Springfield and Illinois Valley will square off again Saturday at 5 p.m. as the Horseshoes look to make it two straight wins to begin the season while the Pistol Shrimp aim to even the series. ILSportsWire will be on hand to provide coverage from Robin Roberts Stadium.
Coach Gyorkos talks first win of the season for the shoes
Brandon Valentine talks big offensive day for the Springfield Horseshoes
#23 Griffin Novacek scores on a passed ball tonight for the Shoes.
#20 Marco Lopez with a GRAND SLAM in the first inning tonight for the Lucky Horseshoes.
#18 Ryan Dabe brings in 3RBI’s off a BIG TIME hit to help secure the shoes first game.
#17 Trey Blanchette with the BIG TIME double for the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes
#2 Brandon Valentine brings in an RBI tonight for the Shoes.
#1 Adrian Nina showed off the wheels to track down the ball tonight for the Springfield Horseshoes.
#1 Adrian Nina scores off the error tonight for the Springfield Shoes.
#2 Brandon Valentin with the smooth defensive play tonight for the Shoes.
