Memphis Product Sparks Offense in Easy
Win
Written by: Derrick
Blyberg
HAMILTON, Ohio – Colton Simbeck (Memphis) produced two extra-base hits and three other Joes had two hits in Hamilton’s 11-6 victory last
night over Champions Baseball Academy at Foundation Field.
The sophomore
outfielder lined a double in the third inning and tripled in the fourth,
igniting the Joe’s offense with three RBIs.
It was a lopsided contest early on when Hamilton jumped out to
a 5-0 lead after three innings. Caleb Bryson (Middle Georgia) singled in the
first to score leadoff hitter Ethan McAlpine (Cincinnati) who reached base on a
walk.
The Joes scored two runs in the second and two more came
across in the third.
Local product Brett McKinney (Ohio State/Badin) started on
the mound for Hamilton and held Champions scoreless through three innings,
earning his first win in a Joes uniform.
Champions was able to get within three after plating two
runs in the fourth, but Hamilton put the game out of reach in their next at-bat
when they tacked on five more runs.
Kurtis Watkins (Miami Hamilton), Ryan Riga (Wabash
Valley/Fairfield) and Nick Smith (Western Illinois) pitched in relief. Riga
struck out five batters in two innings of work.
Tyler Sexton was charged with the loss on the mound for
Champions.
Hamilton clubbed 11 hits with nine different players
registering a hit. Simbeck, McAlpine, Jeff Smith (Wabash Valley) and Aaron
Collazo (Col. Of Charleston) had two hits apiece.
There are two exhibition games remaining before league play
begins on Friday night. Hamilton will host the Ohio Wardawgs Tuesday night at
7:05 p.m.
Box Score
Game Notes:
McAlpine made a highlight-reel catch (best catch I’ve ever
witnessed) in center field. While running at a dead sprint towards the fence and his back to the field, he fully-extended to make the grab and ended a Champions’ threat.
Smith has a .583 batting average during exhibition play.
The Joes are now 2-1 in preseason games this summer.