Derrick Webb, Staff Writer

CHILLICOTHE — The wins just keep coming for the Chillicothe Paints … and they don’t care in what fashion they may come.

In a weather-shortened, five-and-a-half-inning affair Wednesday night at VA Memorial Stadium, the Paints (10-7) claimed their eighth straight victory with a 2-1 decision over visiting West Virginia.

Chillicothe’s Gavin Homer throws a runner out from his knees during the Paints’ 2-1 win Wednesday evening.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA

The one-run victory is the third such win over the course of the eight-game stretch. It’s also the lowest run total the Paints have posted during that time.

Through the first five innings, Paints starter Nicholas Smith (Baldwin Wallace) was stuck in cruise control.

Smith (1-1) allowed just one earned run on two hits while striking out a pair. He gave way to reliever Mitch Milheim (Ohio State) in the sixth. Milheim threw three straight balls and then nine straight strikes to retire the side.

The Miners (4-14) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Nick Jodway reached on an infield single, scoring Clayton Mehlbauer.

Chillicothe tied the game in the bottom of the frame when Gavin Homer (Penn State), who had doubled earlier, scored on an infield single via Justin McIntyre (Western Michigan).

The Paints took their first lead of the game at 2-1 in the bottom of the third when Chris Eisel (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) knocked in his ninth run of the season, scoring Colin Shepherd (Miami) with an RBI double.

That proved to be the final count as Mother Nature intervened with lightning, and later rain, in the bottom of the sixth.

Homer finished 2-for-2 with two doubles and a run while Eisel was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Ethan Hajdukovic (Western Michigan) and Parker Murdie (Grand Valley State) also collected base hits.

The Paints are back in action Thursday night, hosting Terre Haute. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.

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