SPRINGFIELD, OH – Nate Manley (Loveland, OH; Archbishop Moeller High School) made a big splash in his 2023 Kings debut going 3-for-4 with one walk , his first home run, and first four RBI en route to a 13-10 Champion City Kings win over the Johnstown Mill Rats. The Kings offense cranked thirteen hits, scoring in all but one inning, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Gabe Phipps (Yorktown, IN; Tallahassee Community College) went seven innings plus one batter in the eighth inning, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits and a single walk while striking out five. Phipps’ seven innings pitched is the most so far in 2023, allowing four of the five runs in the fourth inning. Cam Gilkerson (Hilliard, OH; Hilliard Darby High School) pitched one inning of relief, facing a couple of batters in the ninth. Gilkerson allowed five earned runs on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts recorded. Johnathan Ray (Sylvania, OH; Tiffin University) went next, retiring the first batter in the ninth. Ray walked one and struck out one. Luke Myers (Springfield, OH; Indiana Tech) came in for Ray three batters later, with the tying run batting. With the Kings up 13-9, Myers gave up an RBI Single to bring the tying run to first base. Afterwards, Myers got the final two outs of the inning to securing Phipps’ first win and Myers’ first save.
Offensively, the Kings had a day against Johnstown pitching, scoring on three of the four that took the mound. Manley’s home run in the fourth inning was the last from the Johnstown starter. Lucas Day (Dayton, OH; Oakland University) brought in the go-ahead run that broke a 4-4 tie. Day finished the night with 2 RBI and going 2-for-4. Nikolas Pereira (Palmetto Bay, FL; Florida Southwest State College) also brought home 2 RBI with a 2-for-4 performance. In his second game, Tyler Cox (Westbury, NY; West Virginia University) had two doubles on a 2-for-3 night with one RBI. Blake Buzzeo (Stow, OH; Miami University) scored three runs going 2-for-5. Ben Zink (Clayton, OH; Wright State University) also secured 2 RBI going 1-for-4.
The Kings now sit 6-14 after snapping a four game skid. The Springfield (IL) Lucky Horseshoes are in town Friday and Saturday to cap off a five-day, six-game homestand. For tickets and PLTV links, you’re at the right spot on championcitykings.com!