The Copperheads (2-10) took on the Flag City Sluggers (7-5) at home for the first game of the doubleheader.
The Cheads finished with zero runs, one hit, and one error. The Sluggers had one run, two hits, and zero errors.
Brody Mann (#8) started on the mound for the Copperheads. He had five strikeouts, seven walks, two hits, and one earned run in seven innings.
Flag City started the game patient at the plate. Their first batter walked, and a bad pickoff throw from Mann advanced him all the way to third. Mann walked the next batter, leaving runners at the corners.
Mickey Anderson took advantage of his opportunity and hit a sacrifice fly to Landon Baker (#11) in left field, grabbing an RBI. The Slugger on first tried for second, but was beaten by the throw. To end the top of the first, Flag City hit a pop-up to center field to close out the one-run inning.
The Copperheads started cold in the first, with the first two batters getting out in just six pitches. To end the inning, Brady Kaufman (#25) fought with the pitcher in the box, but eventually grounded out to the shortstop, leaving the score, 1-0.
To start the second inning, Mann made short work of the first batter, giving him his first K of the game. After walking the second batter of the inning, Mann was able to grab the second out of the inning off a pop-up to short left field. After a tough battle with the next batter, Mann grabbed his second K of the game, ending the top of the second still 1-0.
Fox Spears (#19) led off for the Cheads in the bottom of the second, but grounded out to second for the first out of the inning. Josh Caudill (#17) got the Copperheads’ first hit of the game after some back and forth with the pitcher. Jayden Kennedy (#6) hit a chopper right over the pitcher’s reach, but was caught at first by the second baseman.
Caudill was called safe at second, as the second baseman never stepped on the bag. The pitcher was not fazed as he struck out Baker to end the inning, still not allowing a run for the Cheads.
Mann started the top of the third attacking the zone, getting into a quick 0-2 count. The batter was able to make contact on one of the pitches, but flew out to right field for a quick first out. Mann walked the second batter, but all was for naught as the third batter hit a grounder to Zach Reeder (#2) for an inning-ending double play.
Lance Morgan (#30) started the third for the Copperheads hit a pop fly in the infield for the first out of the inning. Easton Nuzum (#12) fought with the pitcher during his at-bat, but grounded out to second. That reset the Cheads back to the top of the order, to Eli Mandler (#18). Mandler struck out to end the inning, for a quick three up, three down.
Mann put on a pitching clinic in the fourth, making this back-to-back three-up, three-down innings. The first two batters made contact but grounded out and flew out. The last batter of the inning struck out swinging. William Barnes (#36) for the Sluggers did not agree with the call and was tossed from the game.
Reeder started off the bottom of the fourth for the Cheads, but struck out looking. Along Barnes, Reeder disagreed with the call and got himself tossed from the game. Kaufman and Spears weren’t able to capitalize on the high intensity, and both popped out in the infield. The Sluggers still lead after four, 1-0.
To lead off the fifth, Mann was not able to find the zone, and off a mistimed pitch, he struck the batter, giving him first base. Despite that, he collected himself and was able to strike out the next batter for the first out of the inning. After the first pitch to the third batter, the runner at first tried for second, but was caught by Caudil. Mann wasn’t able to stay composed for long as he walked the next batter, and he stole second. Right after the steal, the Slugger hit a grounder to Landon Baker, and that concluded the inning.
To lead off the fifth for the Cheads, Caudill popped up to second for the first out of the inning. Jayden Kennedy got into a quick 0-2 count, but that didn’t faze him as he was thrown four straight balls, walking this inning. Landon Baker hit a line drive that was stopped by the second baseman on a diving catch. Kennedy was caught stealing second to give them the third out of the inning. Flag City still leads, 1-0.
To start the sixth, the Copperheads got two quick outs, as the first two Sluggers grounded out to Lance Morgan at shortstop and Kennedy at third. Brody Mann was able to make quick work of the third batter of the inning, who flew out to Mandler in center.
Lance Morgan came up to the plate for the Cheads in the bottom of the sixth and was walked in just four pitches. Easton Nuzum came up to the plate next. After a six-pitch battle, he flew out to left field for the first out of the inning. Eli Mandler drew a walk in his at-bat, which led to a pitching change for Flag City.
Cole Davis (#23) stepped in the box for his first at-bat of the game. He got into an early 2-0 lead in the count, but in the blink of an eye, that count was now 2-2. After a pitch that led to a full count, he struck out swinging. Brady Kaufman came up to the plate after Davis, but he hit a chopper to first, ending the sixth, leaving two Cheads on.
Brody Mann made quick work of the first batter of the inning, with a close fouled of bunt and with the next pitch, Brett Reed of Flag City hit a line drive right to Jayden Kennedy for the first out of the sixth. Gino Williams walked in the next at-bat, giving himself first. Braden Sprauge came up to bat for the Sluggers next and singled to left field, advancing Williams to second. During the next at-bat, Flag City tried a risky double steal and were successful. The next Flag City batter struck out swinging, leaving it up to Timothy Leark to try and score the two runners. Leark was not successful as he popped up to center field, giving Brody Mann the energy the Copperheads needed.
The bottom of the seventh saw Fox Spears lead off for the Cheads, but grounded out to first. Josh Caudill hit a returner to the pitcher, who tossed it to first for the second out of the inning. To end the game, Jayden Kennedy hit a deep shot to right center field, but the ball was tracked down for the final out of the game.
The Sluggers take game one over the Copperheads, 1-0.
Brody Mann was the Wings Over Player of the Game for game one. He had pitched seven innings, giving up one earned run, two hits, and struck out five batters.
Now onto game two of the double header, Rylan Sams (#16) is the starter on the mound for the Copperheads. He had seven strikeouts, two walks, six hits, and six earned runs in 4.1 innings.
The Cheads finished with three runs, three hits, and one error. The Sluggers had 18 runs, 14 hits, and one error.
Flag City started this game hot, on a 2-1 count, Timothy Leark hit a fly ball to right center for a triple. Trenten Smith stepped into the box next, and struck out swinging for the first out of the inning. Mickey Anderson wasted no time in his at-bat, and on the second pitch, he hit a pop up to second base for the second out of the inning.
Atticus Huffstutler hit a blooper to short right field for a RBI single, putting the Sluggers on the board early. The next two batters for the Sluggers were both hit by Sams, loading the bases with two outs. Sams dug himself out and struck out the next batter to keep the Sluggers to just one run.
Lance Morgan (#30) led off the for the Copperheads in the bottom of the first, but struck out swinging in four pitches. Cal Leighton (#3) was up next for the Cheads, and was walked in four pitches. Josh Caudill (#17) came up to bat, and hit a grounder to shortstop that got past him, leaving runners at the corners.
Brady Kaufman (#25) came into clean up for the Copperheads, but struck out swinging. During his at-bat, Sluggers pitcher, Jackson Urenovitch, had a ball get away from him that led to Leighton walking to home to tie up the game at one a piece.
Konnor Pittman (#14) stepped up to the plate, and hit a blooper to short right field that scored Caudill from second. Giving the Copperheads the lead 2-1. Matthew Bright (#24) was walked in his first at-bat of the game, and then was caught at second for the final out of the inning. The Cheads lead after one, 2-1.
Flag City’s Alex Grissinger led off in the top of the second, with a ground ball right past the third baseman for a lead off double. Drew Tajblik came up next for the Sluggers and hit a ground ball straight to third for the first out of the inning, with Grissinger advancing to third off the throw. To end the inning, Sams struck out the next two batters to keep the Sluggers scoreless in the second.
On the first pitch of the bottom of the second, Mason Wagner (#5) was hit by the pitch and took his base at first. Easton Nuzum (#12) was up next for the Cheads, but hit into a double play to stop the momentum from the first inning. The inning ended as Lance Morgan (#30) struck out swinging, that left the second inning scoreless. The Copperheads still lead 2-1.
Mickey Anderson led off with a single in the top of the third for the Sluggers. Huffstutler hit a single to short right field that advanced Anderson to second. Miles Mitchell came up to the plate for the Sluggers and hit a sacrifice fly to right field that advanced Anderson to third.
Kaden Ford was the next batter for Flag City, he also hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Anderson tying the game up at two. Huffstutler advanced to second off a wild pitch during the next at-bat, but Gino Williams hit a fly ball right to right field for the final out of the inning.
Leighton led off for the Cheads, but it was a fast at-bat as he flew out to centerfield for the first out of the inning. Caudill was next in order for the Copperheads, and after a 3-1 count, he hit a pop fly to right field for the second out of the inning. Kaufman was the third batter up this inning, but flew out straight to left field. The score is still tied up at two a piece.
Grissinger led off the inning for the Sluggers, and got out to a quick 0-2 count, but could not fight back and popped up to Lance Morgan at shortstop. Tajblik was up next for Flag City and after some some fight, he struck out, giving Sams his fifth of the game. Sluggers’ hitter Leark had the same outcome as Tajblik, striking out adding one more to Sams’ statline.
Pittman led off the bottom of the fourth for the Copperheads, but struck out swinging on three pitches. Bright came back up for his at-bat, but struck out on four pitches. To end the inning, Nate Silvas (#1) grounded out to the first baseman, ending the fourth inning, still tied up at two.
To start the fifth, Sams is keeping the mound warm for the Sluggers. He made quick work of the first batter of the inning with another K, putting his total to seven for the game. Mickey Anderson made Sams work during his at-bat and was able to draw a walk.
Anderson then stole second during the next at-bat, Huffstutler was able to hit an RBI double, breaking the tie during the top of the fifth. On a 2-0 count, Mitchell was hit by the pitch placing runners at first and second. Sams walked Kaden Ford after a six pitch at-bat after that walk the Copperheads turned to the bullpen bringing in Jackson Dempsey (#9).
Gino Williams welcomed Dempsey to the game with a two RBI single to right field. Grissinger had a long battle with Dempsey, but was the winner in this one, who reached first on a passed ball, which also scored Ford. Grissinger was the second out of the game, after a fielders choice, leaving Tajblik at first. Dempsey walked Leark, advancing Tajblik to second.
Trenten Smith walked up to the plate, after a five run inning so far. Tajblik stole third, putting him 90 feet from scoring the sixth run of the inning. The Sluggers pulled off a risky double steal, with Leark and Tajblik.
Tajblik was able to score at home extending the lead and Leark made it safely to second. Smith was walked during his at-bat, giving him a free bag. Mickey Anderson came up to bat, Tajblik stole third stealing that bag.
Anderson also walked during his at-bat, bringing Huffstutler for his second at-bat of the inning. He singled to right field, scoring both Leark and Smith, and advancing Anderson to third. Miles Mitchell singled to right field, scoring Anderson and advancing Huffstutler to second. Dempsey was able to get out of this inning, after striking out Kaden Ford.
The Sluggers started this inning hot on the mound, after a seven pitch battle with Mason Wagner, Urenovitch struck him out for the first out of the inning. Nuzum came up to bat to try and find a spark for the Cheads, but was not able to as he popped up to second for the second out of the inning. Flag City has turned to the bullpen, bringing in reliever Max Dunaway.
Dunaway didn’t make his entrance as sweetly as he wanted, as he walked Lance Morgan. He quickly made up for it by striking out Leighton. Dunaway ended the fifth inning on a better note than when he entered it, the Sluggers lead 11-2.
During the top of the sixth, the Copperheads saw some subs. Nicholas Massie came into the game for Dempsey and Logan Martin came in for Cal Leighton. Gino Williams continued the fifth inning for the Sluggers as he singled to first. Jimmy LaForce came into the game to pinch hit for Grissinger, and forced a walk.
Tajblik flew out to right field and Williams got caught at second for a double play. Leark and Smith both walked, loading the bases and putting Massie in a position he doesn’t want to be. Cameron Spezia came into the game to pinch hit for Mickey Anderson, but he didn’t make the impact he wanted to flying out to right field for the final out of the inning.
Caudill started the inning with a single to right field, trying to find a spark for the Copperheads. Cole Davis came into the game for Kaufman, but flew out to center for the first out of the inning. Pittman stepped into the box, but struck out looking.
Matthew Bright doubled to center trying to start a two out rally, Caudill scored, cutting the lead by a run. Bright stole third, adding to the stats.
Huffstutler started the top of the seventh for the Sluggers, but he popped up to right field for the first out of the inning. Miles Mitchell was hit by a pitch, bringing the base running threat to first. During the next at-bat Mitchell was able to steal second, putting himself in scoring position.
Kaden Ford stepped up to the plate, and walked on four pitches. After a 1-0 count, Gino Williams singled to left field, advancing Mitchell and Ford to third and second base. LaForce stepped into the box for Flag City and popped up to second, for the second out of the inning.
Tajblik went for another at-bat in the game, and walked, scoring Mitchell and advancing Ford and Williams. Leark hit a missile to first, reaching the base and adding an RBI. Smith was hit by a pitch, scoring Williams and advancing the bases.
Cole Davis came into the game for Massie, adding to his versatility during this doubleheader. Spezia took advantage of the position player at pitcher and singled to center, adding two RBIs. Huffstutler also took advantage, hitting a two RBI single, clearing the bases. The Cheads were able to get out of the inning with a fly out to right field.
Flag City brought in their closer, Shamus Gallo. Wagner started the inning with a walk, trying to cut into this deficit. Nuzum came up to the plate and was able to rally for a full count, but struck out swinging. Lance Morgan was hit by the pitch after the second pitch of the at-bat. Wagner advanced to second and then stole third while Logan Martin was up to bat. Martin was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases.
Josh Caudill walked up to the plate, but hit into a game ending double play. The Sluggers won this game 18-3.
Matthew Bright was the Wings Over Player of the Game for game two. He had one hit that was a double, one RBI, one walk, and one stolen base.
The Cheads will take on the Monarchs at Hill Stad Stadium at 7:05 pm on June 19. If you can’t make the game, you can catch the broadcast on Flo Sports. Go Copperheads!
#communityownedstudentoperated
The Southern Ohio Copperheads is a community-owned, student-operated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Established in 2002, the Copperheads is a summer collegiate wooden bat baseball team that competes in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League and plays its home games at Bob Wren Stadium in Athens, OH. The Copperheads organization strives to provide the most affordable means of family-friendly outdoor entertainment in southeast Ohio. Tickets to the Copperheads games are $5 and children under the age of 5 receive free admission. Staffed by Ohio University students, the Southern Ohio Copperheads also serve as a “learning lab” for student interns looking to work in the sport and entertainment industry.
