By Jacob Russell

XENIA, Ohio - Andy Hammond (Birmingham Southern College) simplified game one for the Scouts by allowing only one unearned run in eight and two-thirds innings. 

Cincinnati starter Kyle LaCalameto (Dayton) gave up his first earned run early in his first start since June 26. Cleanup hitter Steven Saunders (Cochise College) put Xenia on the board in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly to left. 

In LaCalameto’s final inning, the bottom of the fifth, he walked home a run and fell victim a second sacrifice fly. LaCalameto, the losing pitcher, allowed two hits and three earned runs, struck out six and walked seven. 

The Steam didn’t score until an RBI single off the bat of Warsaw Federal Player of the Game Alex Neff (Wright State) brought in second baseman Eddie Rivero (Xavier) in the sixth. The run was unearned because Rivero advanced to second base on a throwing error by the pitcher during a pickoff attempt.

Xenia’s left fielder, Jarrett Eaton (Auburn), responded in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single against Cincinnati reliever Jack Dungan (Eastern Michigan).

Hammond’s final line was eight and two-thirds innings pitched, five hits and one unearned run allowed, eight strikeouts and one walk. He threw 104 pitches while earning his third win of the summer. 

Game two of this series is in Cincinnati on July 10 at 7:05 p.m. The series ends in Xenia on July 11 at 7:05 p.m.

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