By Eli Halverson | June 27, 2025

Following a tough doubleheader loss at the hands of the Muskegon Clippers, the Joes returned home to Foundation Field for a massive series against the Xenia Scouts. Coming into Friday night, the Scouts held a game-and-a-half lead over the Joes for first place in the South Division, so Hamilton began this series looking to take over that top spot.

The Joes clearly understood the magnitude of the series, as they came out scorching hot at the plate. In the first inning, three free passes in a row loaded the bases, and the first run came across on an RBI fielder’s choice from Miguel Correa. Jordan Malott then extended the lead to 3-0 with an RBI single that drove in two more to close out the first — but the Joes weren’t finished there.

The onslaught continued in the second, with more walks and HBPs loading the bases with nobody out. Jackson Wang stepped up and continued his recent tear at the plate with an RBI single, and Correa added his second RBI of the night with a sacrifice fly to give the Joes a 5-0 lead through two innings.

In the fourth, the Joes put on a display of aggressive baserunning. Aidyn Coffey, who leads the team with nine stolen bases this season, led off the inning with a walk. After a Christopher Roa single, Coffey added to his total, stealing third without even drawing a throw. Then, a double steal saw Roa successfully swipe second, and as soon as the catcher threw down, Coffey broke for home and slid in safely, extending the lead to 6-0. Roa would later score on a third RBI from Correa via a fielder’s choice, making it 7-0.

While the Scouts responded with a two-run homer, the Joes all but put the game on ice in the bottom of the seventh. Despite recording just one hit in the inning, they pushed three runs across thanks to five wild pitches that got past the catcher.

Dylan Kaiser came on in the ninth to finish off the 11-2 win. While the Joes only mustered five hits, they took full advantage of wild pitching and stayed aggressive on the basepaths, stealing eight total bases to secure a crucial game one victory in the series.

While the offense was opportunistic, the clear star of the night was starting pitcher Michael Bilo. Bilo tossed six shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out three. He continues to show why he is the ace of this team, now sitting second in the GLSCL among qualified pitchers with a sparkling 0.87 ERA.

Hamilton returns to action in game two of the series on the road at Grady’s Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM.