Joes Stay Hot in Athens, 16-9

The Hamilton Joes traveled to Athens, Ohio, to play the Southern Ohio Copperheads in the first game of a three-game set. Joes are coming off a sweep of the Xenia Scouts and looking to keep the momentum going into this game.

Noah Wagster would get the Joes on the board first by stealing third and scoring on a throwing error from Wyatt Fether. This would be one of many stolen bases on the day and a very busy day behind the plate for Wyatt Fether and Logan Martin of the Copperheads. Wagster would score again in the top of the third from Owen McKoon grounding into a double play, giving the Joes a 2-0 lead. 

The Copperheads would rally back with a double from Brady Kaufman to score one and two sacrifice flies from Fox Spears and Cole Davis. The Copperheads would take the lead by one run for a half inning because the Joes' offence was relentless tonight. Joes would score in every inning except the second. 

The Joes would be trailing going into the top of the fourth, and they would get two back from a single from AJ Beggs and a sacrifice fly from Wagster. The Joes would not look back and step on the gas by following this with a five-run fifth inning. Gavin Brewer would get things started with a bases-loaded walk. Kamden McAlpin would score a run with a sacrifice fly. Wagster, who has been all over this game, doubled down the left field line to score AJ Beggs. Wagster would come around to score from Alex Koelling reaching on a fielding error.

Top of six, Joes would add to their lead with a passed ball that scored Ryder Kirtley. Bowen would score on a fielder’s choice from Brewer. AJ Gundler would end the scoring in the sixth by scoring on an error. Joes would lead 12-3. Copperheads would get two back in the bottom half of the inning from a bases-loaded hit by pitch to Zach Reeder and a sacrifice fly from Kaufman, scoring another. 

Copperhead were able to score enough runs to avoid the run rule from the Joes by trading runs in the last two innings. However, they were unable to prevent the Joes from stealing bases. They had a total of 17 stolen bases in the win over the Copperheads. Big night on the bases during the massive heat wave that is hitting a majority of North America. Joe's would be able to close it out with a final score of 16-9. The Joes will travel home to Foundation Field tomorrow to begin the second half of the season against the Copperheads. First pitch will be at 7:05