An ace performance by Matt Bywater carried the Southern Illinois Miners (1-0) to a 3-1 win over the Lake Erie Crushers (0-1) on Friday at All Pro Freight Stadium.

Bywater got the win for the Southern Illinois Miners thanks to eight strikeouts. Bywater allowed no earned runs on three hits and one walk over seven innings.

Toby DeMello had two extra-base hits for the Southern Illinois Miners. He homered in the third inning and tripled in the sixth inning.

Jason Wilson couldn't get it done on the hill for the Lake Erie Crushers, taking a loss. He lasted just 5 2/3 innings, walked one, struck out five, and allowed three runs.

The Southern Illinois Miners were sparked by Aaron Gates and DeMello, who teamed up for three hits and three RBIs.