One-Run Loss Caps Hard-Fought Battle Against Mariners

CELINA, Ohio – The Xenia Scouts were edged 3-2 by the Grand Lake Mariners on Wednesday evening despite out-hitting the league leaders 9-5 at Montgomery Field.

Xenia grabbed an early lead and received another strong performance on the mound, but a three-run fourth inning by the Mariners proved to be the difference.

The Scouts struck first in the third inning when Steven Schneider lined an RBI single to left field, scoring Dawson Cleveland for a 1-0 advantage.

Grand Lake answered in the bottom of the fourth, taking advantage of a pair of defensive miscues to score three runs. An unearned run tied the game before a sacrifice fly and an RBI single gave the Mariners a 3-1 lead.

The Scouts continued to threaten offensively throughout the contest. Dawson Cleveland drove in Bo Solley with an RBI double in the eighth inning to cut the deficit to one, but Xenia was unable to complete the comeback in the ninth.

Cleveland paced the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, including two doubles and an RBI. Cole Rohlmeier added two hits, while Cayden Calloway collected two hits and Schneider drove in the Scouts' first run of the evening.

On the mound, JT McLaughlin allowed three runs—two earned—over six innings while limiting the Mariners to five hits. Adam Laski followed with two scoreless innings of relief, holding Grand Lake hitless while striking out one.

The Scouts face the Mariners one last time back at Grady's Field in Xenia to finish out the series.