The Southern Ohio Copperheads opened their 2025 season under the lights at Bob Wren Stadium on Friday night in front of a packed home crowd, but despite an early spark, the Copperheads fell to the Xenia Scouts by a final score of 11-1.

Starting pitcher Charlie Griffith opened strong for the Copperheads, holding Xenia runless through the first three innings with support from a sharp defense. 

Southern Ohio struck first in the bottom of the first inning, when leadoff hitter Haruta Endo got on base with a line drive and stole second during Billy Adams’ plate appearance. After a pop fly from Ronnie Rowley, Endo swiped third, then raced home on Nathan Koster’s base hit, giving the Copperheads an early 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Griffith passed the mound to pitcher Thomas Adair, but Xenia’s offense broke the game wide open shortly after. Troy Lynch launched a two-run home run to push Xenia to the lead. Ryder Rutledge followed with a double, bringing another base runner into home. 

After Zane Loveday stepped in as pitcher during the fourth inning, the Scouts kept the pressure on, loading the bases and capitalizing on a stolen run into home. The top of the fourth closed with yet another Xenia homer, this time a three-run shot from Caleb Webster, propelling the Scouts ahead 7-1.

Xenia continued their momentum, racking up four more runs in the fifth inning before the Copperheads could respond.

Southern Ohio cycled through four pitchers in total over the course of the game, including a strong late-game performance from pitcher John Gerfen, who held Xenia runless through the sixth and seventh innings. 

Despite the scoreline, the Copperheads continued to battle at the plate. Southern Ohio loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh off of a walk, a bunt, and a single down the third base line, but the game came to an early close when a high fly ball was caught for a third out, triggering the run rule.

The Copperheads will look to bounce back as they take on the Scouts once again June 7 at 7:05 p.m. in Bob Wren Stadium.

By: Maggie Malone