Mariners Walk Off Scouts in Ninth-Inning Heartbreaker

CELINA, Ohio - The Xenia Scouts carried a three-run lead into the ninth inning Thursday night, but Grand Lake scored four runs in its final at-bat to claim a 4-3 walk-off victory at Montgomery Field.

Despite the loss, the Scouts held the previously unbeaten Mariners scoreless through eight innings behind a strong pitching performance and timely late scoring.

Xenia broke through in the second inning when Cayden Calloway delivered an RBI single to score Ethan Papalios and give the Scouts and early 1-0 advantage. The game remained tightly contested throughout the middle innings as both pitching staffs kept opposing offenses in check.

The Scouts added insurance in the eighth inning, capitalizing on a Grand Lake error to score Drew Snipes and Mason Golabek to extend the lead to 3-0.

On the mound, Sid Phillips turned in one of the strongest outings of the season, throwing five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out six. Mack Skeels followed with a scoreless sixth inning, and JT McLaughlin added two innings of relief as Xenia carried its shutout bid into the ninth. 

Grand Lake mounted its rally in the final inning, scoring four runs to erase the deficit and remain unbeaten on the season.

Mayo Fernandez and Ethan Moore each recorded two hits to lead the Scouts offensivey, while Calloway drove in Xenia's lone earned run of the evening.

The Scouts return to action Friday as they play against the Michigan Monarchs.