Snake Bite
The Copperheads extended the Joes’ losing streak to three games last
night.
By: Derrick Blyberg
HAMILTON, Ohio – The Hamilton Joes began a four-game
homestand on the wrong side of the scoreboard, falling 6-3 to the Southern Ohio
Copperheads. In their first game of the season, four Southern Ohio pitchers
threw a combined five-hitter last night at Foundation Field.
Joes’ pitchers also fared well, but the offense didn’t
produce enough run support. The loss extended the current losing streak to
three games.
Starter Michael Ricchi (1-1) found his groove a little too
late on the mound and was charged with the loss. Through two innings, he allowed
three runs on four hits. Then, he retired nine out of the last 10 batters he
faced. He completed five innings without issuing a walk and struck out four.
The offense struggled mightily last night. All five hits
came from the first three names in the order - Ethan McAlpine, Devon Reed and
Tucker Tubbs.
The first three hits came in the third inning for Hamilton.
Trailing 3-0, the speedy McAlpine reached on a bunt single
with two outs. Devon Reed followed with
a soft, line-drive single to left field. That allowed Tucker Tubbs to step up
to the plate and he delivered with an RBI single to make the score 3-1.
Tubbs has been one of the few bright spots in the Hamilton
order this summer. The Memphis product has two doubles and leads the team with
six RBIs through six league games.
Southern Ohio starter Justin Brantley (1-0) kept the Joes’
bats in check by striking out six through four innings, earning his first win
of the season.
The Copperheads plated two more runs in the sixth off reliever
Blake Thomas. Similar to Ricchi, he struggled in his first inning of work before
settling down to finish the game. Thomas actually recorded the exact same
numbers as Ricchi (5 h, 3 r, 2 er, 4 k), but allowed three walks that hurt him.
The Joes got within two runs again in the seventh after an
RBI double from Tubbs scored Reed from first, making the score 5-3.
However, that was as close as they would get before the
Copperheads tacked on another run the eighth.
Reed and Tubbs each recorded two hits.
Center fielder Mike Fish went 2-for-4, leading the
Copperheads at the plate.
Southern Ohio logged 10 hits on the night while leaving six
runners on base.
Hamilton stranded nine runners with five hits and five
walks.
Garrett Manning notched his first save for the Copperheads.
Southern Ohio (1-0) stays on the road and will battle the
Lake Erie Monarchs (1-3) tonight up in Toledo.
Hamilton (3-3) looks to snap their losing streak against the
newly-formed Dayton Docs (2-4) tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
at Foundation Field.
A LIVE-broadcast will be available here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hamilton-joes-baseball.
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