Heading into the postseason, the Southern Ohio Copperheads were not playing their best baseball. The playoffs, however, can change everything.
After splitting their final two games of the regular season, the Copperheads cruised to victory Wednesday in their first-round playoff game.
The team opened postseason play against the Lima Locos ' regular season champions in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. Sporting an impressive 26-12 record, the Locos were to be a tough challenge for the Copperheads.
That was not the case.
The Copperheads played one of their best games of the year, thrashing the Locos 10-1. Starter John Karr continued to impress, allowing only two hits in seven shutout innings. Outfielders Matt Stiffler and Anthony Gallas each drove in three runs to lead the offense.
The team held on for a 4-3 victory Thursday against the Stark County Terriers. Again, Karr was brilliant on the mound, allowing just one run in five innings and bringing his record to 3-0. Infielder Brad Winter provided the offense with a first-inning home run and two RBIs.
The regular season ended on a sour note Saturday night, however, as the Licking County Settlers trounced the Copperheads 11-0.
Copperheads starting pitcher Zach Fairbanks struggled from the opening pitch, allowing three runs in the first inning. Fairbanks exited the game after surrendering two more runs in the third, but the bullpen fared no better. Licking County tacked on six more runs in their final five at-bats.
Offensively, the Copperheads put only one runner in scoring position the entire game.
The Copperheads were scheduled to play a doubleheader Sunday afternoon against the Cincinnati Steam, but a rain-soaked infield forced the team to cancel their home finale.Southern Ohio will face the Cincinnati Steam today at 12 p.m.
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Andrew Bohardt
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Copperheads pitcher Jon Pokorny hurls a pitch toward home plate during the matchup against the Licking Country Settlers Tuesday, July 24. The Copperheads lost the game 6-5.
