Copperheads defeat monarchs with a late game offensive surge
Burbridge Field – The Southern Ohio Copperheads were able to finish off their three-day series with the Michigan Monarchs with a 5-1 win. The Copperheads scored five runs off three hits and two errors by the Monarchs.
The Copperheads started the top of the first inning scoring one run. Trenton Neuer started the game with a walk, two pitches later advancing to second after Billy Adams reached first after being hit-by-pitch. Joey Canzoni had a fielder’s choice 6-4 putout that put Trenton Neuer at third. Billy Adams stole second on the first pitch of Ben Clark’s at-bat, also putting him in scoring position. Two pitches later, Trenton Neuer scored the first run of the game from a sacrifice fly to right field for Ben Clark.
The Monarchs answered in the bottom of the second, scoring one run off one hit; leaving two one base. Kimo Fukofuka started off the inning with a single. Cooper Middleton followed, advancing to first on a walk. Liam Pollock then advanced to first off a hit-by-pitch. The next pitch, Derek Ruiz hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Kimo Fukofuka. The Monarchs ended the inning tied 1-1.
Trading runs, the Copperheads scored one run in the top of the third off one hit, retaking the lead. The third frame started with a walk for Trenton Neuer. After stealing second, Trenton Neuer scored off a single up the middle from Billy Adams, bringing the score to 2-1.
Southern Ohio struck three more runs on the board in the top of the ninth. Elijah Laurent started the inning with a walk, stealing second two pitches later: putting him in scoring position. Cooper Thompson also advanced to first on a walk. Off an error from Monarchs pitcher, Trenton Neuer was able to reach first, scoring both Elijah Laurent and Cooper Thompson. Trenton Neuer later scored the final run of the game off a passed ball, making the score 5-1.
The Copperheads used three pitchers on the night, combining for five strikeouts, five walks, and seven hits. Tyler Pfirrmann gave up one run and two hits over 3.2 innings pitched. The Monarchs used four pitchers for the night, combining for five strikeouts, ten walks, and three hits.
Southern Ohio travels back to Athens on June 14th for their series opener with the Lima Locos. First pitch starts at 7:05 p.m.
By Gabby Nafziger
