By: Madison Dennis

Springfield, Ohio— The Champion City Kings fell to the Terre Haute REX, 8-10 in a close battle all the way through the end at Carleton Davidson Stadium. Despite the loss, Chase Carney, Ben Ross, and Lukas Galdoni all recorded home runs during the game.

Coming into the game, the Kings had a record of 14-10. They most recently lost to the Terre Haute REX, Wednesday, 5-3.

In the top of the first inning, REX’s Alec Atkinson advances to first after hitting a single. After Rob Weissheier hit a home run allowing Atkinson to add to the board also. REX did not score any other runs in the inning after 2 quick putouts from the next two batters. The Kings were hot in batting after hitting five hits. Carney (Cincinnati, Ohio; Flagler College) begins the flame hitting a double but soon after Carney is tagged out. Next, Ross (Springfield, Ohio; Notre Dame College) hits a single. Brent Widder (Sheboygan, WI; University of Evansville) hits a single. With the bases nearly loaded, Lukas Galdoni (Hawthorn Woods, IL; Butler University) hits a home run allowing each Ross, Widder, and himself to score. Dallen Leach (Tallahassee, FL; Gulf Coast St. College) hits to the right field but is caught for out two. Mitchell Okuley (Powell, Ohio; The Ohio State University) advances to second base after hitting a double. Trevor Lukkes (Tustin, Ohio; Ohio University) was walked to first base but is then records their final out of the inning after JJ Wetherholt (Gibsonia, PA; West Virginia University) advances to first base because of a fielder’s choice.

The REX were able to get on bases due to two straight walks by the King’s pitcher, Aidan Major. Kody Putnam advances to second after hitting a double allowing Kyle Harbison to score. Jack Leverenz scores from a pass ball. Alex Finney (Oxford, MI; Ohio University) starts the bottom of the inning with a single along with Carney. Finney scores their single run of the inning.

Garrett Peters (Springfield, Ohio; The Ohio State University) subs in for the starting pitcher in the top of the third inning. Weissheier hits a single. In the second at bat of the inning, Alexander Brunson advances to second after hitting a double. Peters threw three strikes to both Nate Wolf and Kyle Harbison resulting in two outs in the inning. Both Weissheier and Alexander Brunson each score runs maintaining the lead. In the bottom of the inning, Okuley is walked to first base and steals to second. Okuley scores after an error by the shortstop.

In the fourth, neither team had much action other than one hit in both the bottom and top of the inning. Peters struck out two of the REX batters (Kaleb Hannahs and Alexander Brunson).

In the fifth inning, neither team had any hits allowing the REX to still lead 5-6.

Deaton Oak (LaGrange, Kentucky; West Virginia University) subs in for Peters at the beginning of the sixth inning. Oak allowed only hit for the entire top inning (Kaleb Hannahs). At the first at bat of the bottom, Carney was walked. Ross scored a homerun allowing both himself and Carney to score runs. This allowed the Kings to have their first lead of the game (7-6).

After the third batter of the top of the seventh inning, Tyberius Correa (Riverview, FL ;Faulkner University) subs for Oak. The REX’s, Jack Levernez hits a triple which allowed both Nelson and

Harbison to score. After the second at bat of the bottom of the inning, Carney hits a home run. Both Ross and Widder were walked back to back after being hit by the pitch.

Correa retires three batters for the three quick outs of the top of the eight inning. Bo Seccombe (Tallahassee, FL; Faulkner University,) subs in for Lukkes but did not have much luck hitting a fly out to center field. Treyben Funderberg (Beavercreek, Ohio; Ohio University) also subs in and advances to first base after hitting a single but the inning retired shortly after.

REX’s Tyler Nelson advances to first after he hit a single. The next batter, Harbison hit a double which allowed Nelson to score. Noah Short (Teays Valley, WV; West Virginia University) subs in for Correa and throws three straight outs ending the top of the inning. Harbison scores a run after a foul ball. In the final bottom of the inning, the Kings had no luck and had three straight outs ending the game.

The Kings fell to the Terre Haute REX 8-10. Champion City will play Saturday against the Lafayette Aviators at 6:35 at Carleton Davidson Stadium. Visit championcitykings.com for more information on tickets and how to watch the next games on PL TV.