After dropping two of their first three games of the season, the Southern Ohio Copperheads of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League couldn't wait to step foot on home soil at Bob Wren Stadium.
Following the 1-2 road trip, the Copperheads won three of their next five games, including last Thursday night's home opener.
Already trailing 2-0 to the Licking County Settlers, the Copperheads' bats came alive for six runs in the bottom of the third inning. A trio of two-RBI hits by Arden McWilliams, Neil Lindgren and Zach Hartle paced the offensive explosion. Lindgren's single supplied the Copperheads with a lead they would never relinquish.
I made (the pitcher) show me what he had
Lindgren said of his at-bat. When the count was 1-1 I got a fastball where I wanted it and hit it hard.
Relievers Adam Boulder, Ryan Wackerman and Chuck Boring combined for the final 15 outs, surrendering only three hits in the process, to seal the win, 8-3.
The Copperheads traveled to Columbus on Friday night to battle the Columbus All-Americans. Again, the road proved unkind as Southern Ohio fell, 7-5. However, the Copperheads returned home on Saturday, where again they found success.
In Saturday night's game against the Xenia Athletes in Action, Copperheads' starting pitcher Dominique Rodgers dominated. The right-hander from Kent State allowed one run and two hits in five innings while striking out nine.
I had all my pitches working tonight and my catcher was pretty good Rodgers said. I just hit my spots and things were working out.Relievers John Pokorny and Geoff Campbell combined to strike out nine more Xenia hitters over the final four innings to close down the win, 11-1.
The weekend ended with a doubleheader split against the Lima Locos. Southern Ohio stole the first game in its final at-bat when McWilliams crushed a two-out, two-run triple over the centerfielder's head to give the Copperheads a 3-2 victory.
I was looking for a pitch to drive and I got my pitch
McWilliams said. I wanted to hit it to a gap and luckily it got by (the centerfielder).
In the second game, with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the fourth inning, McWilliams had a similar opportunity but lined out to the leftfielder. The Copperheads ended up falling, 4-2.
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Andrew Bohardt
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The Copperheads' Matt Stiffler (9) slides into home against Xenia's Casey Hefler during their game Saturday, June 16. The Copperheads dominated the Athletes in Action 11-1 and found much success at Bob Wren Stadium, winning three of their four home g
