Six-Run Sixth Inning Lifts Sluggers Past Scouts

XENIA, Ohio – The Xenia Scouts held a one-run lead through five innings Wednesday night before a six-run sixth inning propelled the Flag City Sluggers to an 11-3 victory at Grady's Field.

Xenia carried a 2-1 advantage into the sixth, but Flag City capitalized on timely hitting and patient at-bats to seize control and secure the series victory.

The Sluggers struck first in the opening inning with an RBI single, but the Scouts answered in the second. Drew Snipes drove in the tying run on a fielder's choice before Xenia took its first lead of the game in the fourth when Snipes scored on a wild pitch.

Flag City broke the game open in the sixth, scoring six runs on four hits, extending the Sluggers' lead to 7-2. 

The visitors added two more runs in the seventh and two in the eighth before the Scouts picked up their final run when Dawson Cleveland was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home Drew Snipes.

Bo Solley led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance, while Jack Drew doubled and scored a run. Snipes scored twice and drove in a run, and Dawson Cleveland added an RBI. Xenia finished with eight hits and stole six bases, with Steven Schneider, Solley, Cleveland, Jack Drew and Snipes all recording stolen bases.

On the mound, JT McLaughlin held the Sluggers to one run through five innings before Flag City broke through in the sixth. Gabe Mathison closed the game with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, striking out two while allowing just one baserunner.

The Scouts head up to Findlay in the final game against the Sluggars on Thursday evening.