'Cheads open doubleheader with momentum-building blowout

Speaking with Southern Ohio outfielder Alex Ungar on Thursday, one of the league’s best bats noted that the Copperheads contain more than enough talent to win, it’s just about being able to put things together. That sentiment turned out to be true just a few hours later.

Completely shutting down Xenia’s offense, the ‘Cheads grabbed a convincing 5-0 victory over the Scouts in the first of a doubleheader at Bob Wren Stadium on Thursday.

With the scheduled middle game of a three-set series with Xenia being postponed due to weather concerns on Wednesday, the two programs were shoehorned into a doubleheader under the sweltering heat of a clear sky the following day.

Despite the raging heat in the early afternoon hours, Mike Diforte was able to survive being put to the fire in an excellent start. The St. Peter’s product went all seven innings for an abbreviated complete game shutout, allowing five hits while striking out four and walking just one.

At the plate, Southern Ohio scored those five runs on just five hits, consistently taking advantage of spotty pitching and catching play throughout the afternoon. Case Sullivan carried most of the load offensively with a two-hit day, driving in two runs while scoring. Trenton Neuer also grabbed a pair of hits, driving in one run while also scoring once. Billy Adams recorded an RBI while Alejandro Covas had the lone other hit and run in his first game for the Copperheads.

In the top of the first, Diforte ran into a bit of trouble with a couple runners reaching base, one getting to as far as third base before settling down to squeeze out of the situation. No batter would reach past second base the rest of the game for Xenia, opening up plenty of opportunities for the Copperheads to take advantage. The ‘Cheads didn’t soil their chance this time.

Southern Ohio first struck the board in the bottom of the second when Neuer dumped a bases-loaded single in front of the center fielder to score Covas with the opening run. One batter later, Adams brought in the final run of the frame with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The barrage continued one inning later with the ‘Cheads pouring on another couple of runs. With a pair of men on base, Sullivan dumped a two-run single into short left field, opening a four-run advantage for Southern Ohio.

Scoring for a third-straight inning, the Copperheads made it a 5-0 game without having to do all that much at the plate. Neuer reached base on an infield single but an error on the throw allowed the Ohio University product to move to second. The speedy centerfielder then attempted to snag third base a few moments later but a wildly errant throw from the Scouts’ catcher allowed Neuer to easily scamper home with the final run of the game.

On the other side, Diforte continued to deal, getting some help from his defense turning a few double plays along the way. He got one in the top of the seventh before inducing a groundout to finish off the shutout victory.