ATHENS, Ohio - The Cincinnati Steam extended its first place lead over the Southern Ohio Copperheads with a 5-3 victory at Bob Wren Stadium on the campus Ohio University. 

The Steam (20-7) now hold a 1 and 1/2 game lead over the Copperheads (18-8) in the GLSCL South Division, improving to 3-2 in the season series.

Cincinnati took the lead in the second inning on a lead off solo home run by first baseman Eddie Pursinger (Dayton/Anderson HS). Pursinger’s homer gives him a team-high five on the season.

Southern Ohio took the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the second thanks to a two-run home run off the bat of its first basemen Blake Holub.

A pair of Ohio University Bobcats, playing on their home field during the spring, combined to tied the score in the fourth iuning. Aaron Levy (Princeton HS) lead off with a triple and scored on a base hit by Sebastian Fabik (Moeller HS).

The Steam pushed three runs across the pay station in the sixth inning. Fabik lead off with a triple and scored when Marshall Gei (University of Kentucky) laid down a sacrifice bunt to drive in the run. Ryan Fournier (Xavier University) singled to drive in Jake Kates (High Point/Lakota West HS) and Griffin Bernardo (Central Florida) for insurance runs.

Southern Ohio made a valiant comeback attempt in the eighth inning as Blaine Crim drove in a run on a double to left field. Jared Flueck (Olney Central/Colerain HS) came in from the bullpen and after a brief heat lightning delay struck out Holub to end the rally. 

Flueck threw a perfect ninth inning, earning his fourth save of the season. 

Jaylyn Whitehead (Central Florida) got the win for the Steam throwing six innings for his fourth victory of the season. Tanner Schimmoeller (University of Cincinnati) also pitched well striking out four batters in 1 and 2/3 inning of work.

The Cincinnati offense combined for 15 hits, three by Gei, but did leave 12 runners on base.

The season series with the Copperheads concludes Wednesday night at Max McLeary Field. Alex Franzen (Kentucky Wesleyan/Campbell County HS) will take the mound with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm. Join Asalon will have the call of the game on cincinnatisteam.com.

ABOUT THE CINCINNATI STEAM: The Cincinnati Steam has earned a spot in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League playoffs in 10 of its 12 seasons of existence. Three times the Steam has played in the GLSCL championship round including winning the title in both 2008 and 2009.

ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES SUMMER COLLEGIATE LEAGUE: The Great Lakes Summer Collegiate, which is entering its 30th season, is a wood-bat league that is certified by the NCAA and is partially funded by Major League Baseball. The league boasts several players that have earned service time in major league baseball including six former Steam players.