Alton (IL) A huge first inning powered the Alton River Dragons to 13-9 victory over the Terre Haute Rex at Lloyd Hopkins Field on Sunday.

Drake Wescott had three hits, reached base all six plate appearances and clubbed his first home run with Alton. He drove in three runs.

Erik Broekemeier had three RBI on two-hits and Eli Young crushed a three-run home run in the first inning, part of a two hit night.

On the mound, Nolan Wilson was great out of the bullpen to earn the win. He tossed 6.2 innings, striking out seven and allowing just two runs.  The 6.2 innings matches a team record for the most innings by a reliever, equaling an outing Adam Stilts had on June 5, 2021.

The River Dragons raced to a 9-0 first inning led, highlighted by a two-run Bryer Arview double to the right field corner, and Young’s three-run home run to left.

Terre Haute rallied back with five in the second and another two in the third and the led was cut to 9-7.

Alton regained control thanks to Wilson’s performance and  in the fifth had three consecutive run scoring hits from Robby Taul, Westcott and Broekemeier to push the lead to 12-7.

Westcott closed the River Dragons scoring with a home run to left in the seventh.

The win is the first for the River Dragons reconfigured coaching staff.