Graders drop a pair to the Mariners

0

CELINA — The season kept moving forward for the Galion Graders over the weekend. After torrential rains caused the game against the Southern Ohio Copperheads to be canceled on Friday June 23, Galion traveled to Celina for a two-game stint against the Grand Lake Mariners.

Saturday’s game saw the Mariners coming out on top by a final of 2-0 and then taking Sunday’s contest from the Graders, 6-2. Grand Lake improves their record to 7-7 on the year while the Graders drop to 6-7. Galion has now dropped five of their last six games after starting the season 5-2.

Osvaldo Duran started the game Saturday for Galion. Duran took the loss, throwing 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while walking two and striking out three Mariners batters. Brock Balderson came on in relief, going 1.1 innings, allowing just one hit while walking one and fanning one.

Galion outhit Grand Lakes on the night but could not get the runs across. The Graders were shutout with eight hits, committed one error and stranded 10 base runners. The Mariners scored their two runs on seven hits, also committed one error and left nine runners on the base path.

Matthew Noel, Jarett Smetana and Parke Phillips all recorded two-hit games for the Graders. Noel and Phillips both finished with a pair of singles and Smetana belted a single and a double. Jake Hoover knocked a double and Braxton Giavedoni a single to round out the Galion offense.

On Sunday, Galion managed two runs on nine hits, committed one error and again stranded 10 runners. Grand Lakes plated six runs on nine hits, had an error and again stranded nine.

Joe Crank finished with two singles and a run scored on the day for the Graders. Dalton Henderson knocked a single and recorded an RBI and Zach Mottice did the same while also stealing a base. Josh Kent scored Galion’s other run for the game and reached base on a single. Phillips had the Graders only extra-base hit, a double. Austin Hathaway, Matthew Freeman and Giavedoni all finished with a single apiece.

Hyatt Shenefield took the loss on the mound, working four innings and allowing five hits and four runs (two earned) while walking three and striking out three. Dustin Baird came into the game inf the fifth and did not record an out. Baird faced just three hitters, allowing three hits and two earned runs. Christian Specht wrapped the game for Galion, going four innings, giving up just one hit and no runs while walking two and striking out four Mariners batters.

Four of the next five Graders games will be at the home confines of Heddleson Field within Heise Park.

On Tuesday June 27 and Wednesday the 28th, Galion welcomes the 2016 Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League Champions, the Hamilton Joes. The Settlers from Licking County will be in Galion for a contest on Thursday June 29 before hosting the Graders on Friday. During the Pickle Run Festival weekend, Galion will play host to the Central Division leading Lima Locos on Saturday and Sunday. Galion’s fireworks are set to follow the contest on Sunday evening.

http://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2017/06/web1_cap-and-ball-4.jpg

By Chad Clinger

[email protected]

Follow Chad on Twitter @GalionSportsGuy

Reach Chad at 419-468-1117 x2048

No posts to display