If there was one key takeaway from the Southern Ohio Copperheads’ most recent matchup against the Hamilton Joes, it would be: patience is a virtue. 

The Copperheads took the field at Bob Wren Stadium on Thursday night, defeating the Hamilton Joes 11-1 in just seven innings. Despite a tough loss against the Joes the night prior, a strong pitching performance from Ohio University student Luke Bryant and a procession of disciplined plate appearances allowed the Copperheads to bounce back with a run-rule win.

Bryant had a shaky first inning that saw two hit-by-pitches, pushing the Joes to snag an early 1-0 lead. However, he quickly settled in after a clean double play from the Copperheads’ infield concluded the top of the frame. With a total of five strikeouts and a groundout in the second and third innings combined, Southern Ohio’s defensive poise set the tone for the rest of the game.

The Copperheads’ hitters held their ground by loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the second. Brock Miller knocked in the tying run with a single, and Haruta Endo followed with a sacrifice fly for the go-ahead RBI. Despite a gutsy baserunning decision that was proven futile with a third-out tag, the Copperheads took a 2-1 lead that they would maintain moving forward.

The third inning saw a trend of risky inside pitching from the Joes, peppering outside the strike zone with a consistent struggle to land in the heart of the plate. After two hit-by-pitches and two walks, including one with the bases loaded, the lead extended to 4-1 for Southern Ohio.

Bryant and the Copperheads’ defense completely shut out the Joes through the fifth inning with a string of groundouts, strikeouts, and no earned runs after the first. The Copperheads tacked on another run in the fifth when Billy Adams launched a single into the outfield, bringing Derek Occhipinti home for a 5-1 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Joes’ pitchers surrendered all hope for a late-game comeback. Southern Ohio loaded the bases once again, and their patience at the plate paid off. The Copperheads held steady for eight walks, five of which with bases loaded, and a hit-by-pitch in the inning. RBI contributions came from Tylan Graves, Ronnie Rowley, Jack Ferguson, Reon Iwase, Nic Lembo, and Jace Parnin, whose hit-by-pitch walk ended the game at 11-1 via the run rule.

The Copperheads look to carry this confidence into their matchup against the Grand Lake Mariners Friday 6/13 at 7:05 p.m. in Bob Wren Stadium.

By: Maggie Malone