Joes Win in Extras, 7-6

The Hamilton Joes got their first win of the 2026 season against the Southern Ohio Copperheads in a wild game that went to extra innings at Foundation Field.

Sam Eppley of the Joes was given the start today, and he did not disappoint. Eppley had six of his seven strikeouts in the first three innings. The Joes would give him some run support with Brady Bowen driving in the first run of the game for the Joes and two more scoring on a passed ball in AJ Gundler’s at-bat in the bottom of the third, giving the Joes a 3-0 lead. 

The scoring would subside until the top half of the sixth when Cole Davis of the Copperheads broke up Eppley’s no-hitter. Eppley was unable to get out of the inning and gave up his only earned run of the day. Braylon Connell would pitch in the game in the middle of the top half of the sixth with no outs and the bases loaded. Connell would get Matthew Bright to fly out to Parker Falkenstein in center field, and Falkenstein would double up the runner at third with a one-hopper to the catcher, Owen McCoon, to save a run. Joes would get out of the inning leading 3-1.

Copperheads would tie up the game in the top of the seventh with an RBI double from Cole Davis and a fielder's choice groundout from Lance Morgan to score the tying run to even up the game to 3-3. Joes would strike back quickly with an RBI single from AJ Gundler in the bottom of the seventh, regaining the lead of 4-3.

The ninth inning would be the beginning of all the craziness that this game provided, with a booming double by Brady Kaufman to start the inning. Cole Davis was next and hit a very loud first out with Falkenstein tracking the ball to the wall in center field, moving Kaufman to third. Landon Baker would be up next, and he would ground into a fielder’s choice with Brady Bowen throwing Kaufman out at the plate to prevent a tie game. 

With two away in the ninth, the Copperheads would rally again. A double from Zach Reeder would score Baker and tie the game at 4-4. Joes were unfortunately unable to score the winning run in the ninth, and the game went to extras. 

Copperheads would come out swinging in extras with the first three batters reaching and scoring the go-ahead run. A bases-loaded hit by pitch would score another run, making the score 4-6 Copperheads. 

Joes were quickly down to their final out in the bottom of the tenth when Brady Bowen punched a ball to right field to get on with one out remaining. That hit was followed by some late-inning magic with back-to-back doubles from the middle infielders, Kamden McAlpin and Ryder Kirtley, to tie the game back up at 6-6. 

Sudden Death rules would be in effect at the top of eleven, which means whoever scores first wins. Joes would elect to hit first, and they would start the inning with a runner on first. The runner was Noah Wagster, who quickly swiped second and third while Preston Zumbalt drew a walk. AJ Beggs would be intentionally walked to load the bases for Parker Falkenstein. Falkenstein would deliver the game-winning hit with a single back up the middle to end the game. 

Joes are now in the win column and look for win number two in Athens, Ohio, tomorrow as they travel to play the Copperheads at their place for game two of the set.