Chillicothe, OH – The Kings used their offensive capabilities to take the first game of a doubleheader 10-3, but found themselves on the other end of a walkoff 4-3 score in the nightcap.
For the first game, the Kings picked up thirteen hits with three walks given. Champion City scored three runs in the first, as Edrick Padilla (Salinas, Puerto Rico; Ohio Wesleyan) doubled in the first two runs, coming home on an error by Chillicothe’s starter. Another pair of runs scored home in the next frame, as Matt Mercer (Richton, MS; Pearl River CC) and Padilla singled in one each. Three more runs scored in the fourth inning, thanks to a Jonah Sutton (Collierville, TN; Memphis) 2-run double and an Evan Lorey (Howell, MI; Spring Arbor Univ.) single. Up 8-2 in the fifth, the Kings scored two more runs thanks to another Mercer RBI hit and Patrick Fultz (Springfield, OH; Shawnee H.S.) bases-loaded walk.
Pitching wise, Connor Lockwood (Libertyville, IL; Valparaiso) picked up his fifth win of the season, going 5.1 innings allowing two earned runs off of six hits, two walks, and nine strikeouts. Tyler Wynkoop (Huber Heights, OH; Toledo) threw 1.2 innings, allowing one earned run off of two walks, two hits, and two strikeouts.
In the second game, the Kings lead 3-0 halfway through, but the tying runs scored in the sixth inning, with the walkoff run crossing in the seventh. For Champion City’s runs, it was Jayson Zmejkoski (North Port, FL; Tallahassee CC) flying out to score Gus Gregory (Strongsville, OH; Strongsville H.S.) Two more runs came home for the Kings in the fourth, with a Padilla RBI Double and an Ethan Krizen (North Port, FL; Tallahassee CC) sacrifice fly.
Three pitchers saw action in the nightcap for Springfield’s team, as Gabe Phipps (Yorktown, IN; Lake Land College) went five innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits, walking one and striking out eight. Cade Kontny (Lakeland, FL; Spring Arbor Univ.) threw the sixth, allowing one earned run on three hits, walking one and striking out one. Kyle Mahon (Centerville, OH; Wittenberg) pitched the seventh, got the first out, but then walked one and gave up the double down the left field line for an earned run.
Champion City is now 5-9 in the second half, with the rubber match due up on Friday before the last trip to Indiana on Saturday in Lafayette. For tickets, PLTV links, and more, keep it here to championcitykings.com!