Galion, OH- After starting off 5-0, the Graders fished the week 6-2. The two losses have come by a walk off to the Richmond Jazz and a 12-9 loss to the Xenia Scouts.

Juan De La Cruz has been the shining star so far for the Grader offense. De La Cruz has recorded 2 home runs and 13 RBI in only 31 at bats. He has started every game for the Graders either at first base or filling the designated hitter role. Austin Hathaway has been limited in at bats for the Graders, but has swung a heavy bat. In his first 9 plate appearances of the year he has homered and produced 8 RBI as well. Between Hathaway and De La Cruz they have accounted for 21 of the Graders runs this year.

The pitching staff thus far has recorded 6 wins and 4 saves. Three of those saves have come from Andrew Stone of West Virginia State University. The other save has come from the hometown kid, Mac Spears, who recorded a 4 inning save against the Xenia Scouts in a 13-4 win for the Graders. Nick Smith of Baldwin Wallace University, has proven to be a valuable part of the Graders bullpen. Smith in 3 appearances has recored 8 innings pitched. In those 8 innings, he has fanned 10 batters, and has only allowed 2 earned runs making his ERA a low 2.25.

The Graders (6-2) are back in action on Tuesday night as they head to Athens to face the Southern Ohio Copperheads (6-1) in a nine inning game. 

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