Hamilton Joes vs. Copperheads Doubleheader - Game 1

Justin Sampson here, back at Bob Wren for another Sunday afternoon double header between the Southern Ohio Copperheads (4-5) and the Hamilton Joes (3-8).  Sitting in ninth place in the league, the Joes are coming in fresh off a sweep of Stark County while the Copperheads split a double header with league-leading Grand Lake on Saturday.  Should be a good matchup and a great opportunity for the Copperheads to gain some momentum.  

• 4:30 - It's half dollar dog day at the ballpark, and we just overhead confirmation from Drake Bolon that the grill is being fired up.  The game can now begin.
• 5:30 - Matthew Robertson will be getting the start for Southern Ohio while Wesley Rehmert of Urbana University will go for the Joes.
• 5:43 - Tyler Schunk reaches on an error by Chad Geier, but the shortstop redeems himself by getting the inning-ending unassisted double play.  No damage done in the first.
• 5:55 - With two outs in the top of the first, the Copperheads are going to work.  Taylor Davis doubled to the right field wall to score Yakubik, followed by a Trent Moses double to left to score Davis.  Jake Plata flies out to left to end the first, but Southern Ohio draws first blood and holds a 2-0 lead.  
• 6:04 - Sullivan and Jones reach first & second with one out.  Sullivan is caught in a huge lead at second & is thrown out.  Tim Tepe flies out to dead center to end the inning.  Hamilton remains scoreless.  
• 6:11 - Hiscox's line drive kicks off the third baseman's glove to put him on first.  Marrero tries to bring him around but is robbed as left fielder Kyle Weldon makes the best diving catch at Bob Wren this season.  Fear strikes out and Burnett sends a dribbler up the third the third base line, but is just thrown out.  
• 6:18 - Haddad is walked on four straight balls and moves to second as first baseman Michael Fear decides to field a slow liner by Bauer that possibly could've gone foul.  No damage is done though as Tyler Schunk is thrown at at first to end the inning.  
• 6:23 - Geier flies out to center for out number one.  Yakubik strikes out and Davis flies out to first to finish off this frame.  Copperheads lead 2-0 after three in front of a solid crowd on a beautiful Sunday evening.
• 6:34 - First pitch of the fourth becomes a homer by Kyle Weldon.  Second round-tripper at Bob Wren this season.  Mathis walks on four straight balls, leading to a meeting on the mound.  The next two batters fly out, but Tepe is beaned to put men on first & second.  Haddad grounds out to first, inning is over.  Hamilton now trails by one.  Robertson looked a little rattled in that frame... his innings may be numbered.
• 6:44 - Moses & Plata go down to start the inning, but Hiscox walks to put one man on.  Pat Glass comes in to pinch run for the big man.  He never gets the chance, though, as Marrero flies out to center to leave him stranded.
• 6:50 - Quick inning for Robertson as it's three up, three down.  Good comeback inning for number number 30.
• 7:00 - Fear flies out on the first pitch of the bottom of the fifth.  Burnett goes down swinging for out number two.  Geier reaches on an error by Tepe & steals second easily as the catcher, Haddad, bobbles the pitch.  Yakubik walks to put two men on.  
• 7:08 - Robertson's day is done.  Now it's Brannon Belair's turn.  Weldon is out number one and, after a couple long meetings on the mound, Belair comes through in fine style to get the last two outs of the inning.  Not much offense for the Joes so far as they've registered only two hits on the day.  Solid job by the Copperheads pitching staff.
• 7:13 - Once again, first pitch of the inning is a fly-out to center.  Plata grounds out to second, bringing up the pinch hitter, Zach Thoma.  Not too effective as he striked out on three pitches.  One inning of work left for the Copperheads as they maintain their one run lead.
• 7:24 - Jordan Langley comes in to try and close out the game.  I'm seeing a trend here as the first pitch of the inning is once again a fly out, this time by Patrick Jones.  Colton Cattani comes in to pinch hit and gets a single after barely beating out a throw to first.  The tying run is on for Dustin Huff who strikes out for out number two.  Bauer goes down swinging for the final out of game number one.  Copperheads take game one 2-1. 

Southern Ohio has the momentum going into game two of tonight's doubleheader.  After a quick 30-minute break, Brad Zahar will be bringing you the updates as we find out if the Copperheads can make it a clean sweep.  You can also tune in to Power 105 to hear Brian Boesch and Allie LaForce bring you all the action.