When it came down to it, errors caused more problems for the Southern Ohio Copperheads than Tuesday's scorching heat, resulting in a 2-1 loss to the Columbus All-Americans. Still fighting for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Great Lakes Collegiate Summer Conference league, the Copperheads hosted the first place All-Americans at Bob Wren Stadium on Tuesday. Before game time, the Copperheads were trailing the Grand Lake Mariners by three games for the sixth spot. With six games remaining on their schedule, a great deal was at stake before the game even started.The All-Americans scored their only 2 runs in the first inning; and it was all they needed to cruise out of Athens with a win. Dallas Puskar, Denison, was the starting pitcher for the Copperheads. While that position was solidified, numerous injuries forced the team to reorganize its player positioning. Jason Selhorst, Ohio, stepped up to play outfield when teammate Jared Perdue, Shawnee State, was unable to make it to the game because of car problems.
Trouble set in for the Copperheads when Selhorst dropped a fly ball in the outfield allowing All-American Eric Fryer, Ohio State, to advance to second. Thomas Myette, Dartmouth, then stepped to the plate and hit a single, putting the Copperheads in a tough situation with a runner in scoring position early in the game.
Puskar, attempting to pick-off the runner at first, overthrew teammate Jared Willis, Ohio, scoring Fryer and advancing Myette to third. Kurt Kapferer, Wooster, then hit a sacrifice ground out to score Myette, making it a 2-0 game.
Puskar lost another nail-biter, giving him his fifth loss of the season. Even though his record has not been the best, he still carries a positive attitude.The important thing about this league is that it is a developmental league
Puskar said. I'm happy that my skills are getting better so that I can take them back to school for the next season. I'm not mad or upset but it is frustrating to lose. After the mishaps of the first inning, the Copperheads were solid throughout the rest of the game. Puskar pitched seven innings, giving up only two more hits. The defense picked up for the team, as well. In the fourth inning, catcher A.J. Jezierski, Denison, caught a pop up behind home plate, and Puskar caught a grounder and hustled to first to tag out the runner. The infield was impressive, turning double plays at every opportunity.
The Copperheads saw their only run in the 6th inning when infielder Ryan Peisel, East Carolina, crushed his first homerun of the season over the leftfield wall off pitcher Derek Witt, Ohio. Peisel is leading the team with a .309 average. A.J. Jezierski provided hope for the Copperheads; he was one of two players to have a multi-hit game. His hustle during the entire game kept the team involved and working hard at a comeback.
I've always been a firecracker during games. I just try to bring as much energy and intensity to every game Jezierski said. I know I may not be the best player out there
but I want people to think of me as the hardest working. It's just from the love I have for the game. I was really happy with my performance
personally; I had been in a slump
but I worked on my stance before the game with Coach See and it really helped
but no matter what you do personally
it matters on if the team wins or not
Jezierski said.
The Copperheads were unable to come behind during their last chance in the ninth inning. Jared Willis, Ohio, was hit by a pitch and Josh Miller, W. Va. State, hit a single putting two runners in scoring position with two outs. Mike Folli, Buffalo, battled relief pitcher Trey Fausnaugh, Ohio State, to a full count, only to be struck out in the end.
Despite the loss, the Copperheads are not out of playoff contention yet. The team travels to Columbus to play the All-Americans again for a double-header July 28, and then hosts the Lake Erie Monarchs for a three-game series Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Bob Wren Stadium.
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