Joes Drop Game One of South Division Championship Series, 7-1

The Hamilton Joes entered tonight's game as the two seed, and they face the Grand Lake Mariners as they represent the one seed. Joes and Mariners just finished a three-game set to end the year, and both teams are very familiar with each other. Joes entered the game with a 1-5 regular season record against the Mariners.

Joes would get things started with Brady Bowen splitting the gap in right-center with a triple in the bottom of the first. Peter Heintz would get jammed by a pitch, but was able to muscle a base-hit in the right side of the infield. Joes would lead 1-0.

The game would remain at that score for about four innings with Joe’s starting pitcher, Sam Eppley, dealing. He would toss four no-hit innings before finding his way into some trouble. He would walk the first two batters of the inning to bring up Sean Krueckeberg. He would triple in the right-center gap to score two to take the lead. Krueckeberg would score later on a wild pitch to increase their lead to 3-1. 

Taylor Seay would shut down the Joe’s offense for seven innings after giving up the run in the first. His final line would be seven innings pitched, one earned run, and eight strikeouts. Alex Dues would enter in the eighth and put the game away after the Mariners would get some insurance runs in the top of the ninth to get to the final score of 7-1. 

Joes need to win tomorrow to keep their hopes and season alive. They will travel to Celina, Ohio, to take on Grand Lake for game two and game three if needed. Game two will start at 6:35 pm tomorrow.