By Lee W. Mowen

CHILLICOTHE, OH – The second half of the 2021 Prospect League began on the road for the Champion City Kings, who were 12-5 heading into action against Chillicothe. The Kings got off to another great start, but it wasn’t enough to hold back the stampede of an 8-1 finish as Champion City fell 8-2 in a weather-shortened game.

The Kings got on the board first against Tyler Wehrle, the Chillicothe starter. J.J. Wetherholt (Gibsonia, PA; West Virginia) led off with a double. Ben Ross (Springfield, OH; Notre Dame College) brought home the first run with a sacrifice fly out to center, and the lead would hold for a few innings.

Trey Carter (Wheelersburg, OH; Rio Grande) got the start, coming off the Pitcher of the Week award from the Prospect League Podcast. The left-hander was strong through the first four innings, only allowing the tying run to come home. Entering the fifth, the game was tied 1-1.

The Paints would get three runs and never look back, as eight batters faced Carter to collect four hits and the go-ahead runs. Carter battled through and would finish after the five innings of four earned runs, seven hits, one walk, and two strikeout performance.

Champion City got one of those runs back, as Ross went yard for the eighth time with two outs. Jake Silverstein would come in to finish up the game for the Paints.

Chillicothe wasn’t done, as they faced Joe Toth (Stow, OH; Adrian College) in the sixth. The Paints picked up another set of four hits, scoring four runs but just one of those earned. Kent Reeser capped the scoring off with a two-run home run, making the score 8-2. The game would be called in the home side of the seventh, with threatening storms rolling into Ross County and Southern Ohio.

Carter took the loss and gave up his first runs since June 17th at Chillicothe. That span stretched for 12.1 innings pitched, including the start at Lafayette. The seven hits was also the most against Carter on the season, topping the six hits allowed in the 17-9 loss at home to West Virginia on June 5th.

Champion City is back home Friday Night and Sunday Afternoon for the Fourth of July, where Active Military members and Veterans get through the gate absolutely free. Visit championcitykings.com for more information on tickets and how to watch the next games on PL TV.