Sluggers Walk Off Copperheads 7-6 After Late-Inning Drama
FINDLAY, OH — The Flag City Sluggers proved they have short memories. Just two days after a tough weekend in Celina, the Sluggers overcame five defensive miscues and survived a late-inning surge to walk off the Southern Ohio Copperheads, 7-6, on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Field.
With the victory, the Sluggers get back into the win column, improving their overall record to 18-16 on the summer.
The early portion of the game was a defensive battle, but Southern Ohio struck first with two unearned runs in the third. Flag City answered in the bottom of the fourth, manufacturing three runs highlighted by a clutch two-run single from Draden Wardrop to take a 3-2 lead.
The Sluggers expanded their cushion in the bottom of the sixth. Cameron Spezia sparked the inning with a single, eventually scoring alongside Miles Mitchell on a two-out, two-run single by catcher Braden Sprague. Drew Tajblik followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 6-2.
The Copperheads refused to go quietly, taking advantage of Flag City’s defensive errors to chip away at the lead. Southern Ohio plated one in the seventh, two in the eighth, and tied the game 6-6 in the top of the ninth on a sacrifice fly.
But the Sluggers saved their best for last. In the bottom of the ninth, Drew Tajblik drew a walk then stealing second and third, setting up the dramatic Trenten Smith walk-off single against Southern Ohio reliever Tino Diulus (0-1) to secure the hard-fought 7-6 victory.
Reliever Aidan Murphy (5-1) picked up his fifth win of the season after pitching the ninth, while starter Julius Robichaud was excellent in his no-decision, striking out five and allowing zero earned runs over 5.1 innings.
Key Stats
Flag City Sluggers
Cameron Spezia (RF): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R, SB
Draden Wardrop (SS): 1-for-3, 2 RBI, R, SB
Braden Sprague (C): 1-for-4, 2 RBI
Miles Mitchell (3B): 2-for-4, 2 R
Julius Robichaud (P): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO
Southern Ohio Copperheads
Konnor Pittman (LF): 2-for-5, RBI, R, SB
Fox Spears (RF): 2-for-4, RBI
Joshua Caudill (C): 1-for-4, RBI, R, BB, SB
