Clippers Claim Win Against Copperheads on Clobber Cancer Night

Jonathan Timm

Muskegon, MI: A large crowd stood up to cancer while watching the Muskegon Clippers (15-16) add a fifth win to their streak in a 5-4 victory over the Southern Ohio Copperheads (13-17) at Historic Marsh Field on July 11th. 

The lone run margin final score is the Clippers third consecutive one-run win, while also making it 4-0 vs. Southern Ohio this season.

Batting was silent for the Clippers in innings one through five, with just one hit while trailing the Copperheads 3-0. All three runs for Southern Ohio came in the second inning off three hits.

Joe Chrapliwy got the start and pitched five innings. Chrapliwy allowed three earned runs, four hits, two walks and struck out five. Eventual winning pitcher Ty Randall threw a scoreless sixth inning. 

Runs were finally obtained in the sixth inning, courtesy of a three-run homerun from Casey Barnes to tie the game 3-3, and end the outing for Copperhead starting pitcher Luke Bryant. Aidan Robinson continued to keep his bat hot and drove home another run with a go-ahead RBI-single to make it 4-3. The cherry on top was an RBI-single for Casey Joppie to put it at 5-3 Clippers after six.

The extra insurance run was utilized after the Copperheads scored a homerun from Ronnie Rowley which cut the lead 5-4 in the eighth inning.

Relief pitcher Ethan Bowen was able to hold the lead in his Clipper debut. Bowen pitched two innings and the lone baserunner was the home run. 

Veteran closer Lukas Brewer finished the job and got his second save of the season while allowing one hit and recorded a strikeout in his scoreless ninth. 

The Clippers scored five runs on six hits and one error. The Copperheads scored three runs on seven hits.  

Barnes drew three walks to go with his homer. Robinson went 2-3 with his RBI. Davis Weeks and Jack Bakus each had a hit with a run. 

Game 2 and series finale will be conducted through a double header at Marsh Field, Saturday July 12th with first game beginning at 5:05 and second game beginning 30 minutes after.