Scouts Drop Road Game to Copperheads

ATHENS, Ohio - The Xenia Scouts fell 6-4 to the Southern Ohio Copperheads on Saturday night despite building an early two-run lead at Bob Wren Stadium.

Xenia struck first and carried the advantage into the middle innings, but a three-run sixth inning by the Copperheads proved to be the difference as the Scouts dropped to 1-1 on the early season.

The Scouts opened the scoring in the first inning when Cayden Calloway delivered an RBI double down the left-field line to bring home Cooper Schutte. The Scouts doubled their lead in the third as Dawson Cleveland launched a solo home run, giving the visitors a 2-0 advantage.

The Copperheads responded with two runs in the bottom of the third before taking their first lead of the night in the fourth. They extended their lead with a three-run sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Lance Morgan, to build a 6-2 advantage.

In the eighth inning, the Scouts mounted a late rally as Trey Tipton drove in a run with an RBI single before later scoring on a throwing error, leaving the Scouts with just a two-run deficit. However, the Scouts were unable to complete the comeback in the final inning.

Cleveland paced the offense with his third-inning home run, while Gavin Kent recorded a team-high two hits. Calloway added an RBI double, and Tipton contributed an RBI and scored once. 

On the mound, Luke Scott (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs over four innings of work. Sid Phillips provided a strong relief appearance as he tossed two scoreless innings while striking out four and only allowing one hit.

The Scouts return to Xenia on Sunday looking to secure the series victory against the Copperheads.