Southern Ohio drops heartbreaker to Lima
By Brian Boesch
Southern OhioÕs chance at a league title is not lost. However, it hit a serious speed bump Thursday in Xenia.
With a chance to clinch their first ever berth in the GLSCL championship game, the Copperheads lost 2-1 to the top-seeded Lima Locos in Southern OhioÕs second tournament tilt.
Now, the CopperheadsÕ dreams of a ticket to the title game depend on three factors. Southern Ohio must defeat Grand Lake Friday at 1:00 p.m. and then hope for a Licking County victory over Lima at 4:00 p.m.
If these two scenarios play out, then all three teams in Pod 1 will have a 2-1 record overall and a 1-1 record in pod play. In the event of this situation, the team with the fewest runs allowed will get the spot in the title game. If there is still a tie, then the top seed will represent Pod 1, which would shut Southern Ohio out of the title game.
ÒOur guys fought hard,Ó head coach Mike Florak said. ÒJust a great game to watch. A great game to be a part of, and weÕll just have to go back and get them tomorrow and try to get some help.Ó
The Copperheads had a chance in the ninth inning to tie the game. Jeff May singled to center field. Ryan Burnett came in as a pinch runner and swiped second base. A Jake Plata groundout moved Burnett to third with one down. Taylor Davis then walked. However, Brian Hiscox struck out swinging, and Chad Geier grounded out to first against Lima closer Kolby Wood.
ÒThe best thing about baseball is you get to play tomorrow,Ó Plata said after the tough final frame. ÒRight now itÕs a little somber. Everyone is pretty disappointed.Ó
Lima jumped ahead for good in the seventh inning. With one down and runners at the corners, a passed ball by Taylor Davis brought in J.D. Ashbrook. Greg Frederick hit Ashbrook to lead off the inning, and as a result the right-hander was saddled with the loss.
The Locos dented the scoreboard in the fourth inning on a two-out RBI single by Ashbrook. It was the only speed bump for starter Andy Carter. The Shawnee State University product struck out seven in six innings. He left the game after the sixth in a tie score, which came about due to a sacrifice fly by Plata in the top of the sixth.
ÒI felt pretty good today,Ó Carter said. ÒI felt like I was painting the corners with my fastball pretty good, so that helped me get outs pretty quickly.Ó
The pitching staff struck out nine Locos on the day and allowed only four base hits. In two tournament games, the Copperheads staff has only allowed four runs and 10 hits.
ÒTheyÕve done outstanding all season,Ó Florak said about the pitching staff. ÒWeÕve just relied on them. Baseball boils down to pitching, and thatÕs whatÕs allowed us to be in all these ball games.Ó
However, the offense mustered only six base knocks and stranded eight runners, six of whom were in scoring position.
The Copperheads are down, but they are not out. Players and coaches alike praise the clubÕs ability to bounce back.
ÒWe need some help,Ó Florak said. ÒTheyÕve been resilient all year. They will be resilient tomorrow.Ó
ÒWeÕre a resilient team. WeÕve been bouncing back all year,Ó Plata said. ÒI think weÕre gonna come back tomorrow and show Grand Lake what weÕre all about.Ó
Southern OhioÕs season depends on FridayÕs battle with the Mariners. Tune into the contest at 12:45 p.m. on Power 105 or online at copperheadbaseball.com, as Brian Boesch and Allie LaForce will provide the play-by-play of the CopperheadsÕ crucial contest. Cameron Hobson will start for Southern Ohio.
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