SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Champion City Kings (7-21) battled REX Baseball (14-13) on Saturday (June 29) night for a twinbill as the first half of the 2024 season comes to a close this weekend.
The first game was a 2-1 pitcher’s dual that featured a 49-minute rain delay and the nightcap saw a back-and-forth 6-4 contest as REX Baseball took both games at Carleton Davidson Stadium.
GAME ONE
REX Baseball scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, taking a 2-0 lead as the game shifted to the last two innings.
The Kings attempted a comeback in the sixth inning, scratching a run across to cut the lead to one. Salvador Diaz (Norwalk, California / Gallaudet) singled up the middle with one out. Diaz was replaced by a pinch runner, Ray Hawkins (Miamisburg, Ohio / Palm Beach Atlantic) at first base. A failed pickoff attempt moved Hawkins to second base and a wild pitch got him to third base. Caden Miller (Lockport, Illinois / Alvin CC) lined a bloop single over the second baseman to score Hawkins.
Following the third out, a thunderstorm moved through Springfield and forced a weather delay before the final scheduled inning. When the game resumed, the score remained 2-1 as REX Baseball won the opener.
Bennett LaPalm (Bellbrook, Ohio / Dayton) took the tough luck loss with six innings pitched, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits, one walk and six strikeout. Joe Stone (Waynesville, Ohio / Thomas More) pitched a scoreless seventh inning, working around a single.
GAME TWO
Champion City took the early lead in the second inning before adding on in the third inning. Diaz walked before Kolten Poorman (Bonne Terre, Missouri / Eastern Illinois) singled to left field. Following a wild pitch, Justin Maurer (Springfield, Ohio / Bluffton) lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Diaz. A walk and a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners as the lineup shifted to the leadoff spot. Louis Florida (Wilmette, Illinois / DePauw) singled home Poorman as the lead was pushed to 2-0.
One inning later, the Kings added a third run to lead 3-0. Two walks by Lucas Day (Dayton, Ohio / Oakland) and Poorman along with a Diaz single loaded the bases with one out. Maurer singled home Day and Champion City pushed for a second run and was cut down.
REX Baseball scored four runs in the fourth inning, taking a 4-3 lead.
Poorman blasted a solo home run to left center field in the fifth inning, tying the game at four.
REX scored twice in the seventh inning, snapping the 4-4 tie and taking the nightcap 6-4.
James Salvatori (Wheeling, West Virginia / West Liberty) had two hits and a stolen base in his Kings debut. Poorman notched two hits with two runs in the nightcap.
Wesley Culley (Millington, Tennessee / Cumberlands) grinded through his outing as he entered the seventh, throwing 6.1 innings with five runs allowed (four earned). He scattered five hits and two walks with a season-high nine strikeouts. Stone pitched in the second game as well, allowing one unearned run.
Champion City closes the first half on Sunday (June 30) in Terre Haute, Indiana with REX Baseball at 4:30 PM. They open the second half at home on Tuesday (July 2) with a doubleheader at 5:35 PM against Lafayette.