Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
CHILLICOTHE — Twenty-four hours after shooting itself in the foot on three separate occasions in a loss to Portsmouth 23, Chillicothe 757 redeemed itself with a win Wednesday evening.
Playing Portsmouth 23 for the second time in as many days, the Colts (9-14) handed their opponent a 3-2 loss behind strong pitching from both Lucas Foglesong and Kody Haubeil.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
However, it was a game where 757 grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After that, runs were hard to come by … and that’s what Colts coach Tom Barr highlighted.
“I thought we let off the gas,” Barr said. “We had them right where we wanted them early and that’s kind of our M.O. right now. We came out, hit the ball really well … it’s just a focus thing. We’re having trouble staying focused right now, and eventually, you’re going to lose games because of it. We’ve done that several times this year. Luckily, we held on tonight.”
In that first inning, Chillicothe scored its three runs on an RBI single from Chad Ison, a bases loaded hit by pitch, and a wild pitch. Ison made it 1-0, knocking in Caleb Foglesong, Garrett Wilburn pushed the lead to 2-0 when he got plunked, and Ison later scored.
All three of those runs came against Portsmouth starter Breckon Williams, who thoroughly settled down after the first frame. In fact, Williams pitched the rest of the ballgame while allowing a total of 10 hits and striking out four.
Williams’ offense creeped back into things in the top of the third, scoring its only two runs.
After Williams led off the inning with a single, Marty Knittel followed suit with one out. Later, on a 2-1, two-out delivery, Ethan Lauder sent a two-run triple into the outfield green.
However, from there, Foglesong and Haubeil closed the door on any other potential scoring threats.
“[Foglesong and Haubeil] were really good. The crazy thing is, neither one of those guys have thrown much lately,” Barr said. “We’re very blessed with arms on this team. Those two are two really good high school pitchers. That’s one thing for us right now, our pitchers are pretty fresh. None of them have thrown a lot of pitches. Hopefully, that will benefit us in the coming weeks.”
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Foglesong started the ballgame and tossed four innings, picking up the win while allowing two earned runs on seven hits and striking out a pair. Haubeil pitched the final three frames, surrendering just one hit and posting one strikeout.
At the plate, Caleb Foglesong led the way by going 3-for-4 with a run while Connor Mullins was 2-for-3 with a run. Trey Carter was also 2-for-3, and Ison was 1-for-2 with a run and an RBI.
For Portsmouth (7-12), Lauder finished 1-for-3 with the two-run triple, Williams was 2-for-3, and both Knittel and Bryce Ponn scored a run.
While Portsmouth 23 gets back to action Thursday, hosting Waverly 142, Chillicothe 757 now looks towards this weekend. The Colts will compete in the Midland Tournament in Amelia, Ohio.
According to Barr, if they’re going to make any type of postseason run whatsoever, his Colts have plenty of work ahead of them.
“We were fortunate tonight. We were lucky. Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good. Tonight is a good example of that,” Barr said. “We’re behind. We’ve had issues with dedication and attendance. Normally, the first couple weeks of the season, you’re moving people around and seeing what you’ve got. We’re still doing that and it’s because of guys not being here like they should be.”