Bob Wren Stadium – The Southern Ohio Copperheads were unable to beat the Lima Locos, ending the game 4-13 with seven hits. 

With the first two frames scoreless, the Locos were first to strike in the top of the third.  Brice Estep started the inning advancing to first after being hit by a pitch. Landon Tate followed with a triple past diving Trenton Neuer in center field. Estep was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Alex Ungar.  Justin Gorski hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Tate next play. 

The Locos added another run in the top of the fourth off one hit. Sebastian Alexander started the inning reaching first after being hit by a pitch, advancing to scoring position at second on a stolen base.  Kaden Brown followed with a single through the 5-6 hole to score Alexander.  

The Copperheads answered, scoring one run in the bottom of the fourth, scoring being 1-2.  With one out, Hunter Strong had a single line drive to right, advancing to second off off a putout from Charlie Longmeier shortstop to first.  Strong advanced to third off an error on the transfer for Loco’s shortstop on a ground ball from Ben Clark. Strong went on to score on a wild pitch during Gavyn Smith’s at-bat.  

Lima added three more runs, 1-5, in the top of the sixth off on three hits.  Blake Bowen started the inning with a walk.  With one out, Brown had a single to center, moving Bowen into scoring position.  Brooks Wright had a fielder’s choice ground ball backhand to Copperhead’s shortstop to get the out at second.  With runners spit at first and third, Liam Richards had a single ground ball to second, scoring Bowen.  Wright and Richards scored off a single from Estep up the middle.  

The Copperheads put another run on the board, 2-5, in the bottom of the sixth.  With one out, Joey Canzoni had a triple to left, hitting the wall on the fly. Strong followed with a drop third strike at-bat, scoring Canzoni on the throw from home to first. 

Both teams added two more runs to their score in the seventh inning.  The Locos scored two runs off two hits, leaving one on base.  With one out, Lou Fujiwara advanced to first on a walk.  Bowen delivered at the plate with a double in the right field corner, scoring Fujiwara.  Trading places with him, Alexander followed with a double down the left field line, scoring Bowen. 

The Copperheads scored two in the bottom of the seventh off one hit, leaving three on base.  Clark started the inning with a single up the middle. With one out, Sullivan had walked.  Clark and Sullivan both stole the bases to get into scoring position.  Clark scored on a wild pitch during Adam’s at-bat, and Sullivan scored on a passed ball during Canzoni’s at-bat.  

 In the top of the eighth, the Locos were able to score four more runs, bringing the score to 4-11. Estep had a double off the left field wall with one out.  Tate followed, matching his teammate with a double to right field, moving Estep to third.  Gorski came to the plate, scoring Estep on a bunt single and moving Tate to third.  Fujiwara filled the bases with a walk.  Bowen was hit by a pitch to Bowen for the second run of the inning. Gorski scored off a walk pitch during Alexander’s at-bat, putting him at first after he was hit by a pitch.  Fujiwara was able to score after Brown was also hit by a pitch.  

Lima scored their final two runs of the game in the top of the ninth. With one out, Tate advanced to first on a walk.  Gorski had a double in the left center gap, putting both himself and Tate in scoring position. Fujiwara had a single to left to follow, scoring Tate, and splitting runners at first and third.  Bowen filled the bases with a walk.  Gorski was able to score the final run of the game off a sacrifice fly ball to right for Alexander.  

The Copperheads used four pitchers for the night, combining for eleven strikeouts and four walks: giving up thirteen runs on thirteen hits and one error.  The Locos used two pitchers on the night, combining for thirteen strikeouts and two walks: giving up four runs on seven hits and one error. 

The Copperheads travel to Simmons Field to play the Lima Locos on July 10th, first pitch at 7:05 p.m.

By Gabby Nafziger