by Sarah Newgarde

GALION, Ohio – The Southern Ohio Copperheads started their second game of a trip against the Galion Graders behind but they battled back to win the game 7-5 and sweep the series.

Galion started off strong, retiring three Copperheads in a row before smacking back-to-back solo shots from Jacob Reimold and Matthew Detering. When they returned to the plate in the bottom of the second, Cole Andrews picked up the third run of the game for the Graders with a home run over the center field fence.

The Copperheads tied it up in the top of the third inning with a three run homer from Blake Holub. A throwing error by the Grader’s third baseman and heads-up base running from Collin Minor gave Southern Ohio a 4-3 lead before they returned to the field.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Graders’ Eric Wentz singled, scoring Andrews for the tying run of the game. Right-handed pitcher Gus Cunningham entered for the Copperheads, closing the inning with a swinging strikeout to get Southern Ohio out of a bases-loaded jam.

Entering the eighth, Holub led off with a double, quickly advancing to third after a single from Joe Stewart and regaining the lead after a groundout from Minor. With two outs, Joey Weisenseel grabbed an insurance run by scoring Stewart with a double to right-center field before the Graders brought in right-handed pitcher Gavin Lewis to close out the game.

After a leadoff walk, stealing second and then taking third on an overthrown ball, Jack Longo easily scored off of a Zuberer sacrifice fly. The Graders scored back one in the bottom of the inning, but Cunningham drew a high fly ball to end the inning and secure the Copperheads’ victory.

On Thursday the Copperheads hit the road again for a two-game series against the Irish Hills Leprechauns. They’ll return to Bob Wren on Saturday, July 26 for a double header against the Licking County Settlers at 5:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.