By: Madison Dennis

Springfield, Ohio—The Champion City Kings recorded a win against the Lafayette Aviators 7-4. The Kings’ starting pitcher, Gage Voorhees pitched almost seven full outstanding innings.

In the top of the first inning, aside from one walk there was three quick outs from the Aviators. The Kings recorded four hits, including Ben Ross (Springfield, Ohio; Notre Dame College), Brent Widder (Sheboygan, WI; University of Evansville), Ethan Krizen (North Port, FL; Thomas University), and Mitchell Okuley (Powell, Ohio; The Ohio State University) each hitting singles. Ross and Widder each scored runs in the bottom of the inning, taking the first lead 2-0.

Both teams did not have any luck in the second inning with neither team recording no hits or any runs.

Lafayette’s Oscar Ponce hit a single at the first at bat of the third inning but had no other advances. The Kings, Widder advances to first after hitting a single. Chase Carney (Cincinnati, Ohio; Flagler College) hits a single at the next at bat. Lukas Galdoni (Hawthorn Woods, IL; Butler University) advances to first after the third straight single of the bottom of the inning. Widder, Carney, Galdoni all earn runs extending the lead, 5-0.

In the top of the fourth, Tanner Craig advances to second base after an error by the Kings. Craig became close to scoring while on third base but did not make any advances due to three quick outs. At the second at bat of the bottom of the inning, Ross hits another single. After an error by the Aviators, Ross was able to score and Carney advances to first base.

The Lafayette Aviators sparked a flame by hitting five hits and scoring their first three runs of the game in the top of the fifth. The five hits included Matthew Ervolina (single). Oscar Ponce (double), Jack Lang (single), Ian Laureano (single), and Carlos Contreras (single). Ervolina, Ponce, and Lang all scored their first runs of the game. Voorhees (Springfield, Ohio; Flagler College) was able to strike out two of the batters in order to end the inning. The Kings did not quite have a spark at the bottom of the inning as they only recorded one hit (Krizen).

Voorhees slowed down the Aviators not allowing any hits or runs the entire top of the sixth inning. Both JJ Wetherholt (Gibsonia, PA; West Virginia University) and Ross hit singles. Wetherholt was able to score after a wild pitch adding to the Kings lead 7-3.

Neither team had much luck in the entire seventh and eighth inning. Both teams did not have any hits or score any runs.

In the last inning, Galdoni moves to pitcher. Although the Aviators were desperate to again more runs, they only were able to earn one (Adrian Mella). This resulted in a Kings win 7-4.

The Kings will face the Chillicothe Paints Sunday at 4:05 at Carleton Davidson Stadium. Visit championcitykings.com for more information on tickets and how to watch the next games on PL TV.