Bob Wren Stadium – The Southern Ohio Copperheads were unable to rally to beat the Hamilton Joes Monday July 22, game decision coming down to the bottom of the ninth.  The Joes had seven hits on the night, while the Copperheads had five: final score being 2-3.  

The Copperheads wasted no time taking the lead 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning.  Trenton Neuer started the inning with a single to third, getting picked off at first during Billy Adam’s at-bat. Adams had a walk, getting out at second on a ball to shortstop from Aex Ungar.  With two outs, Hunter Strong had a walk, putting Ungar into scoring position at second.  Ungar scored off a single to right for Pauly Mancino.  

The Joes answered in the top of the second inning with a run. Cam Gilkerson started the inning with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball.  With one out, Paul Osting hit a ground ball to the right side to score Gilkerson from third.  

While the third through seven frames remained scoreless, the Joes took the lead in the top of the eighth.  Ryan Novak started the inning with a walk. Cam Gilkerson had a two-run home run over the center field wall to put the Joes up 1-3. 

Looking to answer, the Copperheads scored one run in the bottom of the eighth.  Aiden Dunlap advanced to first off a walk with one out.  Case Sullivan followed with a walk. Both Dunlap and Sullivan stole bases, Dunlap able to score off an error by Joes’ catcher and Sullivan reaching third. 

The Joes used four pitchers on the night, combining for eight strikeouts and ten walks: giving up two runs on five hits and two errors.  The Copperheads used three pitchers on the night, combining for eleven strikeouts and four walks: giving up three runs on seven hits. 

Neuer, Ungar, Mancino, and Dunlap batted well for the Copperheads.  Neuer went 1-3 with a single and two walks.  Ungar went 2-5 with a single and a double.  Mancino went 1-3 with a single, a RBI, and two walks.  Dunlap went 1-3 with a double and a walk.  

Braxton Baird and Gikerson batted well for the Joes.  Baird went 2-5 with two singles.  Gilkerson went 1-3 with a two-run home run and a walk.  

The Copperheads will face the Joes at Foundation Field on July 23rd, first pitch being 7:05 p.m.

By Gabby Nafziger