CELINA — Sunday marked a road trip to Montgomery Field in Eastview Park for the Galion Graders, who took on the Grand Lake Mariners in their final game before the all-star break.
In what turned out to be a weather shortened game of just 4-plus innings, the Grand Lake squad won 2-0. Grand Lake is 18-13 on the year and in second place in the Central Division behind the Lima Locos. Galion drops to 14-17 overall and remains in third in their division.
Jake Hoover had Galion’s only hit in the shortened contest, a single. The Graders had one error and stranded two runners on base. Grand Lake plated two runs on five hits and left two on base.
Osvaldo Duran took the loss, tossing four innings and giving up the five hits, two runs (one earned) while fanning two. Dustin Baird came in to start the bottom of the fifth, threw one pitch and recorded an out before bad weather arrived.
The Graders’ Brock Balderson and Hathaway represented the South team in the All-Star Game while teammate Jarett Smetana suited up for the North squad. The game was at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio.
Galion will be back in action Thursday, July 20 at Newark to clash with the Licking County Settlers. The Settlers will then travel to Galion on Friday before the Graders head to Lima for a two-game weekend stint.
Grand Lake Mariners 9, Galion Graders 7
GALION — On Saturday, the Graders welcomed the Grand Lake Mariners to Heddleson Field in Heise Park for the opener of their two-game weekend series.
Grand Lake won 9-7.
Galion scored seven runs on nine hits., but stranded eight runners. Brady Hettinger led the way for the Graders with three singles, two runs scored and his sixth stolen base on the season. Zach Mottice also delivered a multi-hit game, with two singles while driving in a run and scoring a run. Austin Hathaway finished with a single, three runs scored, an RBI and swiped his seventh base of the year. Jake Hoover notched a single as did Matt Noel. Noel also drove in two runs for the home squad. Parke Phillips had Galion’s final single on the night, Braxton Giavedoni and Josh Kent each drove in a run and Brandt Nowaskie scored once. All nine of the Graders’ hits were singles and as a squad they walked four times and struck out six.
The Mariners scored their nine runs on 13 hits and stranded nine runners. Grand Lake also committed three errors in the playing field.
Brock Balderson started the game for Galion and went five innings allowing seven hits, five earned runs, walked two and struck out five. Sam Stewart came on in relief to work an inning, giving up three hits and three earned runs while walking two and striking out one. Stewart took the loss on the night. Clay Davies pitched the remaining three innings and allowed just one earned run on three hits but struck out five Mariners hitters.
Galion 7, Lorain County 2
LORAIN — Last Friday, for the second night in a row, the Galion Graders had the Lorain County Ironmen’s number and walked away with a 7-2 win at The Pipeyard.
Hyatt Shenefield and Dustin Baird combined to allow just four Ironmen hits in the win. Shenefield got the nod as the starter and worked the first 5.1 innings, allowing those four hits and two earned runs. Shenefield walked three and struck out three. Baird worked a nearly flawless 3.2 innings, walking just one batter and striking out two for the save.
Offensively, Galion scored its runs on 11 hits and stranded eight runners . Defensively, the Graders had just one error on the evening.
Grant Fuller brought the big bat for Galion, knocking a double and a triple while scoring two runs. Braxton Giavedoni also had a multi-hit game, belting two singles and recording three RBIs. Austin Hathaway singled, stole a base and scored twice. Matt Noel ripped a single, scored once and drove in a run and teammate Josh Kent also had a single, scoring twice. Brandt Nowaskie and Zach Mottice were also busy at the plate with a single and an RBI apiece. Parke Phillips and Jake Hoover had singles for the Graders.
