Southern Ohio Copperheads

                                                                                                                   

Daniel Utts

Director Media Relations

740.248.6202

danielutts@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 3, 2007

Andy Schaefer

 

The white flag was up. The blowout late-game substitutions had been made. The fans silently awaited a landslide Copperhead victory. Even the two runs collected by the Cows in the bottom of the eighth inning didn’t draw much interest, as it would still take five more just to tie the game at eight. Certainly, the contest was all but over and Southern Ohio was advancing to the franchise’s first Championship appearance since their 2001 inception.

 

 

All but over indeed. Delaware somehow managed a remarkable six-run, bottom of the ninth rally to end the Copperheads’ season and advance to the championship against the Columbus All-Americans. After six solid innings from Copperheads starting pitcher Adam Gingras, Kyle Cowden came on in the seventh, putting the Cows down in order.

 

 

With an 8-1 lead going into the eighth, coach Deegan did what any manager would do—pulled some of the big bats (Campana, Winter, Campbell) to avoid running up the score and to give some of the bench players opportunities. In the bottom of the eighth, the Cows took two runs back from the Copperheads, when catcher Mike Cero ripped a single down the third baseline, followed by a Brian Delucia single to left. Both then scored when Cows’ centerfielder Michael Guerrero took Cowden deep into left field, a 2-RBI standup double. Cowden then retired the next three batters, ending the eighth inning with the Copperheads leading 8-3.

 

 

A Zach Hartle single to leftfield was all the Snakes would get in the top of the ninth, but perhaps if they had known what would happen in the bottom-half of the inning, they would have focused more on producing the excess insurance runs that they had seemingly manufactured with ease earlier in the ballgame. Of course, 20/20 hindsight has its benefits.

 

 

Cue the comeback. Cowden faced the first three batters in the ninth—Sneed, Jackson and Hubbard. Sneed singled to right, Jackson jacked a two-run shot over the left field wall, and Hubbard homered immediately afterwards, giving the Cows three quick runs with no outs. By now, Chuck Boring had made the jog to the bullpen and was quickly warming up.

 

 

Boring replaced Cowden after the back-to-back homeruns, walking Cows catcher Mike Cero, who then advanced to second on a Brian Delucia sacrifice. With Cero on second, centerfielder Michael Guerrero recorded his third RBI in two innings, singling to bring the Cows within two runs. Boring then walked Matt Smith, putting runners on first and second with one out.

 

 

A double-play ball would have ended the game, and Copperheads’ shortstop Zach Hartle had a decision to make—go for two to end the game or get the easier out at first. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it quick enough, as Cameron Satterwhite, a speedy outfielder from the University of Cincinnati grounded to Hartle, who hesitated to throw to second, looked over to first, realized Satterwhite was going to beat out the throw, and ate it. The infield single loaded the bases for the Cows with just one out.

 

 

Hartle was then faced with the same situation one batter later, this time throwing to first base, but throwing off target. Quentin Eberhardt, who had replaced regular first baseman Brad Winter in the eighth, was unable to handle Hartle’s errant throw, which allowed both the tying and winning runs to score. The error was the Copperheads’ only fielding mistake of the ballgame.

 

 

Ironically, the Cows’ tying and winning runs came as a result of a Copperheads error, but it was Delaware’s defense that was shaky throughout the game, recording five total errors, three of which came in the four-run Copperhead third inning. The Copperheads capitalized on each Cow mistake throughout the ballgame, running the bases well and making Delaware pay dearly for their fielding mishaps.

 

 

Southern Ohio had eight total runs off of just nine hits—numbers consistent with poor Delaware fielding and control problems from the pitching staff. Cows’ starter Dan Remenowski pitched four innings, walking four batters total and recording just one strikeout. Both Tony Campana and Arden McWilliams, two Copperheads that enjoyed very successful seasons, scored twice. Campana also took three stolen bases on the day, and McWilliams went 1-3 with two runs batted in.

 

 

After the game, a consolable coach Deegan provided no excuses for the loss. “They had a big comeback late,” said Deegan. “We just lost control and things really got out of hand in a hurry.” The 2007 season, Deegan’s first with the Copperheads, is certainly going to be considered a successful one, as the team recorded record-setting statistics and awards, including a Copperhead-best 23 regular season wins and a Joe Carbone Coach of the Year Award for Deegan.

 

 

Almost like little league baseball, Copperheads fans can expect to have a fresh set of faces on the field next season, as the turnover rate in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League is high, to say the least. Matt Stiffler’s three years with the Copperheads is unusual, and like many he will likely move on to bigger and better things after this season.

 

 

Fans are encouraged to follow their favorite players throughout the remainder of their collegiate careers, and can view the roster on copperheadbaseball.com to find out where each player will be in the 2008 NCAA season. Though the end was bittersweet, the Copperheads gave fans in southern Ohio a season to remember.

 

 

 

 

A special thank you goes out to the players and coaches of the 2007 team who provided the exciting entertainment, the Copperheads staff who provided the hospitality at Bob Wren Stadium, and most importantly, the fans, whose loyalty ensures that each season is a success.