Bob Wren Stadium – The Copperheads were unable to complete the comeback to beat the Michigan Monarchs in their first game of the home series, but not without their efforts.  The Copperheads finished the night with thirteen hits, while the Monarchs had twenty-one: final score being 10-12.

The Monarchs started strong in the top of the first inning with three runs off four hits.  With two outs, Ty Garza had a single line drive off the glove of Copperhead’s starting pitcher.  Kimo Fukofuka followed with a double in the left field corner, putting both himself and Garza into scoring position. Jacob Gumieny took advantage with a double to left field, scoring Garza and Fukofuka.  Kooper Ethridge had a single between shortstop and third, advancing to second off an error from Copperhead’s pitcher; and Gumieny was able to score. 

The Copperheads answered with one run in the bottom of the first, 1-3, off three hits. Trenton Neuer wasted no time starting with a single up the middle. Neuer moved to second off a ball from Billy Adams to second, and advanced to third off a flyout to center from Alex Ungar.  Alejandro Covas scored Neuer off a ground ball to third.  

The Monarchs added another run in the top of the second. With one out, Derek Ruiz advanced to first after being hit by a pitch.  Alonzo Paul followed with a single between shortstop and third.  Tanner Mally followed suite with a single to left, but Ruiz was thrown out at the plate by Copperhead’s left fielder.  The next play Garza had a single to right to score Paul.  

The Monarchs were consistent offensively adding two runs in the top of the third, 1-6.  Gumieny started with a double hitting the warning track, one hopping the left field wall.  Etheridge traded places with him with a double to left, scoring Gumieny. Keeping the left side pattern, Scoop Harden scored Etheridge from a single to left center.  

The fourth frame remained scoreless, with the Monarchs adding an additional three runs in the top of fifth off four hits.  With two outs, Ruiz advanced to first off a walk. Paul followed with a single to left, Ruiz going from first to third.  Mally had a single between shortstop and third, scoring Ruiz and putting Paul into scoring position at second.  Garza filled the bases with a ground ball to shortstop; able to beat it out. Paul scored off a wild pitch and Mally scored off a single from Fukofuka to shortstop.  

The Copperheads rallied to tie the score 9-9 in the bottom of the fifth, working with each offensive opportunity given.  Neuer started reaching first off an error by Monarch’s second baseman on a ground ball.  Adams and Ungar advanced to first off walks, filling the bases.  Covas delivered a timely hit with a single up the middle scoring Neuer.  With one out, Gavyn Smith had a two RBI double to right, moving Covas to third.  Aiden Dunlap advanced to first off a walk, and Ben Clark being hit by a pitch scored another run.  Case Sullivan followed with a walk to score Smith.  Batting through the order, Neuer had a sacrifice flyout to center Dunlap.  Adams had a single between shortstop and third to score Clark, and Ungar filled the bases with a walk the next at-bat. A walk for Covas scored the ninth run of the inning. 

The sixth inning remained scoreless, while in the top of the seventh the Monarchs regained the lead 9-12. Ruiz started the inning strong with a single up the middle. Paul advanced to first off a single in the left center gap, moving Ruiz to second.  Mally had a bunt single down the third baseline to fill the bases. A walk for Garza scored the first run of the inning, while a sacrifice flyout to left for Fukofuka scored the second.  The last run was scored off a double down the left field line from Gumieny.  

The Copperheads looked to win the game in the bottom of the ninth, but were only able to score one run, the final score being 10-12.  Sullivan started the inning with a walk.  Hunter Strong had a walk with one out, putting Sullivan into scoring position.  With two outs, Covas had a single up the middle to score Sullivan.  

The Monarchs used three pitchers on the night, combining for six strikeouts and eight walks; giving up ten runs off thirteen hits and two errors. The Copperheads used four pitchers on the night, combining for six strikeouts and six walks; giving up twelve runs on twenty-one hits and one error.  

The Copperheads will be back at Bob Wren Stadium July 13th to face the Monarchs with first pitch being at 7:05 p.m.  Saturday July 13th, the Copperheads are partnering with Turn it Gold to raise awareness and honor two families. 

By Gabby Nafziger