The Southern Ohio Copperheads started their series against the Licking County Settlers with a close 9-6 loss Thursday night, but are looking to make a comeback and earn a playoff spot.

Despite offensive efforts from Jared Heard, Scott Combs, and Zach Iverson, Southern Ohio could not keep up, allowing Licking County to take first place in the Southern Division of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.

“We’ve got a very resilient group in our dugout who never believe they’re out of it regardless of the score or the standings in the league,” said head coach Austin Dunfee. “They’re still doing their best to extend an inning, extend a game, put runs on the board and find a way to win. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.”

Early in the game, sporadic hitting made it difficult for Southern Ohio to compete with Licking County. Michigan State’s Zach Iverson and Reese Trahey both had hits but were left on base.

Licking County was up 4-0 until the second inning, when a series of walks and a passed ball allowed Southern Ohio to score their first 2 runs.

Southern Ohio carried that momentum into the eighth inning. Scott Combs and Trahey hit back to back two-out singles, and Phillip Glasser walked to load the bases.

After sitting for eight innings, Jared Heard (Indiana University Kokomo) was put in as a pinch hitter at a crucial time.

Heard, who is batting .310 and has been a key offensive unit for Southern Ohio in recent games, hit a two RBI single which brought the score to 6-4.

“It was a no brainer. It got to a big point in the game where we had a chance to make a run at it, and Jared Heard has been on fire,” said Dunfee. “With runners in scoring position, there’s nobody else you want in that spot. It was his time to shine.”

Licking County scored three more during their next at-bat, but Southern Ohio attempted to battle back.

In a situation similar to Heard’s, Dan Inman Electric Player of the Game Scott Combs hit a two-out RBI single which brought the score to 9-6. Southern Ohio was unable to score any more, but they did have Licking County on their toes.

Throughout the course of the game, the Settlers brought in six pitchers.

Thursday was also a pitching milestone for the Copperheads, who, for the first time, were able to bring more than three pitchers into one game. Micah Krieghauser from Tocoa Falls College started and earned six strikeouts in five innings pitched. Levi Jones from Shawnee State University and Colin Sells from Ohio University closed the game.

Friday’s game against Licking County will start at 8:05 p.m. due to an excessive heat advisory.