By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
The Galion Graders had opportunities and took advantage of some of them on Wednesday night – just not enough of them.
The Graders dropped their 10th straight, 7-4, to the Southern Ohio Copperheads and are now 4-19 on the season. The Copperheads have evened their season record at 11-11.
Six times the Graders got the lead-off man in an inning on base. But only twice did that runner complete the trip around the bases to score.
Brad Baldwin got the scoring started for the Copperheads in the second inning when he led off the frame with a long, solo home run to right field. The Graders struck back in third inning with three runs to take the lead. Alex Laikos led off the inning with a double. Reilly Hawkins and Robert Jones singled in the inning, and Ridge Winand added another two-bagger.
However, the Graders’ lead didn’t last long.
The visiting Copperheads came back with three runs of their own in the fourth inning, added two more in the fifth and a single run in the sixth. The Graders added a ninth-inning run for the 7-4 final.
Tyler Straley started the game for the Copperheads and got the win with seven innings of work including three strikeouts. He allowed seven hits and three runs, all earned.
Graders’ starter Jonathan Murphy took the loss. Murphy allowed eight hits and was charged with six runs. Hawkins, Tyler Cowles and Evan Lee all had two hits for Galion.
The Graders play at Irish Hills on Thursday before returning for home games both Friday and Saturday evening.