SPRINGFIELD, OH – Continuing a successful week with two wins in the bag, the Kings won the offensive battle with great starting pitching from Cade Kontny (Lakeland, FL; Spring Arbor Univ.) with an 8-6 win over the Terre Haute Rex.
After a two-run home run in the visitors’ share of the first, the Kings struck back. Edrick Padilla (Salinas, Puerto Rico; Ohio Wesleyan) homered for the seventh time, scoring Jayson Zmejkoski (North Port, FL; Tallahassee CC.) While the Kings couldn’t strike for more in the opening inning, Champion City got some more in the next turn. It was catcher Matt Mercer (Richton, MS; Pearl River CC) singling in the go-ahead runs with a 2-RBI single, scoring Jayson Zmejkoski and Gus Greogry (Strongsville, OH; Strongsville H.S.) Mercer would come home in the next at-bat, as Edrick Padilla singled the fifth run in, already with three RBI in two at-bats.
In the fourth inning, Champion City got another run thanks to Edrick Padilla’s fourth RBI and third hit, this time scoring Patrick Fultz (Springfield, OH; Shawnee H.S.) The Kings led 6-2 after four innings complete.
The Rex got their last runs off of Cade Kontny in the fifth to close the deficit at 6-4. The Kings offense wasn’t done, as a bases-loaded walk to Trey Carter (Wheelersburg, OH; Rio Grande) put the lead back up to three in the sixth inning. One more run scooted home for the hosts, as Patrick Fultz singled in Jayson Zmejkoski to make it 8-4 after seven.
The Rex got their last two runs with the last out in the ninth inning, off of reliever Gabe Carter (Huntington, WV; Rio Grande.) The Kings would roll to an 8-6 win. Kontny went seven innings plus one batter in the eighth, allowing four earned runs off of eleven hits, one walk, while striking out four. Gabe Carter threw two complete innings, allowing two runs off of three hits, while striking out two.
The Kings, now 8-11, have jumped West Virginia for second place in the second half, still trailing Johnstown by two games after a late Mill Rats rally against Lafayette. Champion City now faces the Danville Dans for a doubleheader, starting Saturday at 5:35. For tickets, PLTV links, and more, keep it here to championcitykings.com!