Bob Wren Stadium – The Copperheads beat the Monarchs 13-7.  Offensively, the Copperheads had twelve hits, while the Monarchs had eleven. 

The Copperheads started the bottom of the first inning strong offensively, scoring eight runs of four hits. Charlie Longmeier started the inning with a double in the left center gap.  Billy Adams advanced to first off a walk, but got caught stealing second, putting Charlie in scoring position at third. Alex Ungar advanced to first off an error from Monarchs second baseman, scoring Longmeier. With two outs, Hunter Strong reached first after being hit by a pitch, and Joey Canzoni filled the bases with a walk. Ben Clark delivered with a single to the right side, scoring Strong and Canzoni. Clark was able to score off a passed ball, while Aiden and Case had back-to-back walks. Batting around the order, Longmeier had another hit behind third base to score Dunlap and Sullivan.  The eighth run of the inning was scored off a blooper single to right from Adams to score Longmeier.  

The Monarchs were able to make up some ground in the top of the second, scoring five: 8-5. Kimo Fukofuka started the inning reaching first off an error from Copperhead’s third baseman.  Jacob Gumieny followed with a single between third and shortstop. With one out, Scoop Harden had a walk, and Fukofuka scored on a groundout from Liam Pollack to second.  Derek Ruiz walked, filling the bases.  Jacob Oestrike followed with a two RBI double down the right field line. Ruiz scored off a wild pitch, while Oestrike scored off a single to Tanner Mally. 

The Copperheads added two more runs in the bottom of the second, 10-5, off four hits.  Alejandro Covas started the inning with a walk, while Strong had a single to left.  Canzoni matched Strong with a single to left, scoring Covas.  With one out, Dunlap and Sullivan had back-to-back singles, Strong scoring on Sullivan’s ball to left.  

The Monarchs added one run in the top of the third off two hits. Fukofuka reached first off a throwing error by Copperhead’s shortstop.  Gumieny followed with a single to left center. The runners moved on a passed ball to get into scoring position, and Fukofuka scored off a single to left for Scoop Harden.  

The fourth through the sixth frames were scoreless, and in the bottom of the third, the Copperheads were able to add three more insurance runs: 13-6.  Dunlap first advanced to first after being hit by a pitch.  Sullivan followed with a single to center.  Longmeier filled the bases on a bunted ball where an error was made by Monarch’s pitcher.  Adams had a timely single to right, scoring Dunlap.  Sullivan was able to score on a sacrifice flyout to center for Covas.  Longmeier went on to score on a pickoff error for the final Copperheads run of the game.  

The Monarchs looked to answer in the top of the eighth, scoring one run off one hit.  Ruiz started the inning with a walk; making his way to third on two groundball putouts to shortstop.  Garza took advantage of his teammate being in scoring position with a right-side single between first and second.  

The Copperheads used five pitchers on the night, combining for 10 strikeouts and three walks: giving up seven runs on twelve hits and two errors.  The Monarchs used two pitchers on the night, combining for six strikeouts and six walks: giving up thirteen runs on eleven hits and three errors.  

Notable offensive performances for the Copperheads were Billy Adams, Charlie Longmeier, and Case Sullivan.  Billy Adams went 2-4 with two singles, two RBIs and a walk. Charlie Longmeier went 2-5 with two doubles in the first inning, and two RBIs.  Case Sullivan went 2-3 with two singles, two RBIs, and a walk.  

Notable offensive performances for the Monarchs were Ty Garza and Scoop Harden and Jacob Oestrike.  Ty Garza went 3-5 with three singles, and one RBI.  Scoop Harden went 2-4 with two singles, one RBI, and a walk. Jake Oestrike went 2-5 with one double, one single, and two RBIs. 

The Copperheads will be back at Bob Wren Stadium for the final game of their home series with the Michigan Monarchs on Sunday July 14th, first pitch at 5:05 p.m. 

By Gabby Nafziger