The Locos got a great team victory yesterday over the Copperheads to win their first series of the season. 12-1 was the final in 7 innings. 

Matteo Pare started on the mound for Lima and looked fantastic. He put down Neuer, Canzoni, and Unger in 7 pitches to open the game. Lou Fujiwara also made 2 fantastic plays over at short. 

Ben Bates started to game for the Copperheads and in the bottom of the first, the Locos scored 4 times! Brice Estep hit an RBI single to score Fujiwara to open up the scoring. Brooks Wright then reached on an error. Bowen scored on that same play. Kaden Brown later knocked in Alexander and Richards hit a sac fly to center, scoring Estep. 

In the 2nd Pare once again sat down the Copperheads in order, keeping the lead at 4-0. 

In the bottom of the 2nd Bowen and Alexander got on base with 2 outs, but were stranded after an Estep fly-out. 

In the top of the 3rd, the Copperheads were able to string together some hits against Pare and loaded the bases. Unger then hit a rocket to 3rd resulting in an infield single, scoring Smith from third. Clark then grounded out to 3rd to conclude the half-inning. 

With the Locos lead slimmed to 3 heading into the bottom of the 3rd Wright got on base via the walk and Richards reached after a fielder’s choice. With 2 outs in the inning, Gorski stepped up to the plate and hit a line drive, 2 RBI, double to center to make the Locos lead 5.
 

In the 4th Pare continued his domination and sat down the Copperheads in order for a 3rd time in 4 innings. 

In the Locos’ half of the 4th, they were able to score 4 times. Alexander got on base after a 5-pitch walk and then stole 2nd. Alexander then advanced to third after a throwing error by Ben Clark. Estep then got on base after he was walked bringing Wright to the plate. Wright then hit a double to right field, scoring Alexander. Kaden Brown then hit a sac fly to center field, scoring Estep. The last batter Ben Bates faced was Liam Richards. Richards was walked on 4 pitches. Landon Oliver entered the game to pitch for Southern Ohio. Oliver then proceeded to throw a wild pitch allowing Richards and Wright to advance 90 feet. After that, Shinkle hit a single to left, bringing Richards and Wright to the plate. Gorski then flew out to end the inning. 

Pare was efficient in the top of the 5th. He pitched around a single and a walk in the inning to keep the score 10-1.  

Fujiwara and Bowen both got on base to lead off the bottom half of the 5th. Fujiwara was able to score after another catching error by Ben Clark. Brooks Wright then scored Bowen after he singled to right. 

Andrew Stechshulte then entered the game to pitch and put down the Copperheads in order. And Oliver was able to keep the Locos from scoring in their half of the inning.
 

Going into the top of the 7th the Copperheads needed to score at least once to keep the game going, but they were unable to do that. 

The Locos now boast a record of 4-5 going into their next series with the Scouts.