Portage South Loses 2 Close Ones in Wood Bat Classic

Portage South participated in the NEO Wood Bat Classic post season tournament with this year's tournament being a different format.  This year the Classic would be a straight double elimination tournament instead of having teams play 3 pool games followed by a single elimination tournament.  PS drew the Warren Cardinals from the Warren AA League in their first game.  The Black Squirrels got a run in the fourth to take a 1-0 lead.  Kevin Yelinek doubled and scored on a Kevin Haley groundout.  Portage South would add another run in the top of the fifth when Kyle Campfield doubled, stole third and scored on a Phil Smith single.  The Cardinals got on the board in the bottom half of the inning with 3 runs to take a 3-2 lead.  Warren would add 2 more runs in the eighth to make it 5-2.  In the top of the ninth inning, PS would tie the game.  Robert Paradise walked and Jake Knapp reached on an error, then with 2 outs Phil Smith homered to tie the game at 5-5.  The Cardinals were able to steal home in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs to win 6-5.  Smith was 3-5 with a HR and 4 RBI.  Jason Preising also went 2-3 for the Black Squirrels.  Nic Carucci went the distance on the mound for PS in the loss, striking out a PS record 15 batters.

In the second game of the tournament, Portage South would face the Akron Cardinals.  The Cardinals got a run in the first and added another run in the sixth to take a 2-0 lead.  In the seventh, PS got a walk from Justin Nelson, followed by an Andy Johns single.  Then back-to-back sacrfice bunts by Eric Schaffer and Mike Price scored a run and left the other runner at third.  Jesse Michel was intentionally walked and got himself in a rundown to allow Johns to score from third.  The top of the eighth, Akron broke the tie with a 3-run inning.  Portage South would score another run in the bottom half to make it 5-3.  Robert Paradise and Phil Smith each singled to start the inning.  Mike Haney followed with a walk to load the bases and Jason Preising drew a walk to score Paradise.  PS had one final chance in the bottom of the ninth as they got 2 runners on with 1 out, but failed to get push them across.  Michel went 2-4 for the Black Squirrel offense.  Schaffer threw 8 strong innings in the loss, allowing just 1 earned run and striking out four.  Portage South ended the season with a 22-7 record.

Portage South Drops Tournament Semifinal 2-1

After winning their first two games of the tournament, Portage South would face Play Ball Academy A's in the winner's bracket final.  The A's scored first with a run in the bottom of the first inning.  They would add to the lead with another run in the third inning.  Portage South would cut the lead in half with a run in the fifth.  Kevin Haley singled and moved to second on a sac bunt by Walt Samson.  Mike Darrah would double home Haley.  PS was unable to push across another run and lost 2-1.  Darrah was 1-3 with a 2B and a RBI.  He also went the distance on the mound, allowing 1 ER and striking out five.

Portage South Advances to Winner's Bracket Final

In the second game of the tournament, the Portage South Black Squirrels faced the Akron Braves for the 3rd time on the season.  The Braves drew first blood with 2 runs in the top of the first, but PS came right back in the bottom half of the inning with 2 runs of their own.  Jesse Michel walked, then Ron Spears singled.  After a fielder's choice by Phil Smith, Michel was able to score on an error.  Smith was plated by a Robert Paradise single.  It would remain 2-2 until the bottom of the fourth.  In the inning, the Black Squirrels would put up 3 runs.  Kevin Haley reached on an error, followed by a single by Pat Smith then Mike Darrah hit an inside-the-park homerun.  In the sixth, PS would score 3 more runs to push the lead to 8-2.  Darrah and Michel each singled before a double by Spears scored Darrah.  Phil Smith doubled off the wall to plate Michel and Spears.  Nic Carucci would shutout the Braves over the final 6 innings to pick up the complete game victory.  Darrah was 2-4 with a HR and 3 RBI.  Spears went 2-4 with a 2B and RBI.  Phil Smith also went 2-4 with 2 2B and 2 RBI.

Portage South Picks Up First Round Tournament Victory

After earning the league tournament's second seed, Portage South would face the Ohio Gamecocks in the first round game.  PS made a statement in the first inning, pushing across 7 runs.  The big hits in the inning came from Phil Smith, who hit a 3-run homerun, and Mike Darrah.  Darrah had a 2-run single.  The Gamecocks got on the board in the third with a run to make it 7-1.  The Black Squirrels scored 3 more runs in the fourth.  Ron Spears walked and Phil Smith singled to start the inning.  Kevin Yelinek reached on a bunt, then a bases loaded walk to Jason Preising scored Spears.  Pat Smith singled to score Phil Smith and Yelinek scored on a Robert Paradise groundout.  In the bottom of the sixth, Preising singled, moved to second on an error and scored on a single by Walt Samson to end the game 11-1.  Darrah went 6 innings for the win, allowing 1 run and striking out eleven.  Phil Smith was 3-3 with a HR and 3 RBI.  Darrah also went 3-4 with 2 RBI.

Portage South Wins 20th of the Season

Portage South swept a doubleheader against the Bomb Squad to end the regular season with 20 victories.  In game one, the Bomb Squad scored a run in the third and held a 1-0 lead through 5 innings.  In the bottom of the sixth, PS would score 4 runs and win 4-1.  Robert Paradise started the inning with a single.  Mike Darrah followed with a single and after a Jesse Michel walk, Ron Spears hit a sac fly to score Paradise.  Phil Smith would walk to again load the bases and Kyle Campfield would single to score Darrah and Michel.  Smith would score on a Danny Campfield single.  Darrah threw a complete game for the victory, allowing 1 run and striking out seven.  Kyle Campfield was 2-3 with 2 RBI.

In game two, the Bomb Squad again scored a run early to lead 1-0.  Portage South scored 5 runs in the third to go up 5-1.  Pat Smith walked and scored on a Jesse Michel double.  Ron Spears followed with a single and Phil Smith was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Kyle Campfield singled to score Michel and Spears scored on an error.  Phil Smith was plated by a Danny Campfield groundout.  Kevin Yelinek rounded out the scoring with a RBI single.  The Bomb Squad scored another run in the fourth to cut the PS lead to 5-2, then the Black Squirrels opened the game up in the fifth.  They scored 6 runs in the inning to push the lead 11-2.  Spears and Phil Smith walk, then a single by Kyle Campfield loaded the bases.  Danny Campfield doubled home Spears and Phil Smith.  Yelinek singled home Kyle Campfield and Danny Campfield scored on a sac fly by Robert Paradise.  Mike Darrah would add a 2-run triple in the inning.  PS got 2 more runs in the sixth to win 13-3.  Yelinek singled and Paradise followed with a double.  Darrah would double and score both runners.  Kevin Haley would throw 5 innings for the win.  Yelinek was 3-4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs.  Darrah was 2-5 with 2B, 3B and 4 RBI.

Portage South Drops One to the Horned Frogs

The Akron Horned Frogs handed the Black Squirrels their 3rd loss of the season with a 10-3 victory.  The Horned Frogs scored 6 runs in the first inning and added 3 more in the second to jump out 9-0.  Mike Darrah got PS on the board with a double in the third and scored on a single Jesse Michel.  Akron score another run in the fifth to make it 10-1.  Phil Smith hit a solo homerun in the sixth, then had a RBI single in the seventh to score Mike Haney after he had doubled.  Smith was 4-4 with a 3B, HR and 2 RBI.

Portage South Wins 4th Game in 4 Days

Portage South was playing their 4th game in the last four days when they faced the Akron Dream at Sisler Field.  Mike Darrah doubled and scored in the first to take a 1-0 lead.  PS would increase the lead to 2-0 on a solo homerun by Kyle Campfield.  In the third, Nick Ostrander tripled and scored on a Ron Spears single.  Phil Smith would single and Kyle Campfield's double would score Spears and Smith.  The Black Squirrels would push the lead to-0 in the fifth on a 2-run homerun by Smith.  The Dream got 3 runs in the sixth, but PS would win 7-3.  Kevin Haley threw 6 innings for the win, striking out 10 batters.  Smith was 2-4 with a HR and 2 RBI.  Kyle Campfield was 2-3 with a 2B, HR and 3 RBI.

Portage South Wins Big Over Skilet Productions

Portage South picked up win #17 with a 13-3 victory over Skilet Productions.  PS scored 6 runs in the second inning for the early lead.  Mike Haney had a RBI single and Kevin Haley had a 2-run double in the frame.  Skilet would score 2 runs in the third to make it a 4-run game.  In the fourth, the Black Squirrels scored 3 runs.  Haley and Nick Ostrander singled to start the inning.  Mike Darrah followed with a single that would score Haley.  Jesse Michel then hit a 2-run homerun.  Skilet Productions added another run in the fifth, Portage South ended the game with 4 runs in the sixth to win 13-3.  Ron Spears had a RBI single and Haney added a 2-run double.  Darrah went all 6 innings for the win, striking out 10.  He also went 3-4 at the plate with a 2B and RBI.  Haney was 2-3 with a 2B and 3 RBI.

Portage South Late Comeback Falls Short

Portage South faced the Ohio Gamecocks in a National Division matchup.  The Gamecocks got out to an early lead in this one with 2 runs in the first.  PS would score a run in the third to cut the lead in half.  Kyle Campfield and Jesse Michel each single and Campfield scored on a sacrifice fly by Ron Spears.  The Gamecocks would score 5 more runs in the bottom of the third for a 7-1 lead.  In the fifth, PS would put a 5-run frame to cut the lead to one.  Nick Ostrander would single followed by a Campfield single.  Michel then homered to bring home Ostrander and Campfield.  Spears would walk and Phil Smith would hit a 2-run homerun.  The comeback fell short as Portage South couldn't palte another run.  Smith was 2-3 with a HR and 2 RBI.  Michel was 2-4 with a HR and 3 RBI.

Portage South Sweeps Doubleheader

After the first loss of the season, Portage South came back with a doubleheader sweep over the Tallmadge Knights.  In game one, the Knights get 2 runs in the first inning for the early lead.  PS got a run back in the forth inning on a solo homerun by Mike Darrah to cut the lead in half.  In the fifth inning, the Black Squirrels pushed two more runs across to take a 3-2 lead and hold on to win by the same score.  Phil Smith and Nick Ostrander singled to start the inning.  A Jesse Michel single scored Smith and Ostrander scored on a RBI single by Darrah.  Nic Carucci went 7 innings for the victory, striking out nine.  Darrah was 2-3 with a HR and 2 RBI.

Game two had more offense from Portage South.  PS scored 3 runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Jesse Michel and Phil Smith each hit a solo homerun.  Kyle Campfield then would double and score on a Kevin Haley single.  Tallmadge scored a run in the second on a homerun by Justin Spicer and picked up another run in the top of the third to make it 3-2.  In the bottom half of the inning, the Black Squirrels put a 13 spot on the board.  Mike Haney and Jason Preising each singled, followed by a walk to Kevin Haley to load the bases.  Nick Ostrander would single to score Haney and Preising.  Haley would score on a Mike Darrah single and Ostrander scored on a RBI single by Michel.  Ron Spears would double then Smith hit a 3-run homerun, his second of the game.  Darrah would also homer in the inning.  PS tacked on another run in the fourth on a homerun by Haney.  The Knights scored 4 in the fifth, but lost 17-6.  Darrah threw 4 innings for the victory.  Smith was 3-4 with 2 HR and 4 RBI.  Preising was 4-4 with 2 RBI.

Portage South Splits with the Cardinals

Portage South suffered their first loss of the season with the split of a doubleheader against the Akron Cardinals.  In game one, the Cardinals got a run in the first inning.  PS tied it at 1-1 with a run in the fourth.  Ron Spears walked and scored on a Kevin Yelinek double.  It would remain tied until the top of the seventh.  Jason Preising would single to start the inning.  Robert Paradise's sac bunt moved Preising to second and Danny Campfield doubled to score Preising and give the Black Squirrels the lead.  Nic Carucci would close out the Cardinals in the bottom of the seventh for the win.  Carucci went 7 innings, allowing 1 R and striking out 13.

In game two, PS got 2 runs in the first on a Danny Campfield 2-run double.  The Cardinals would come back with 2 in the top of the second to tie it.  Portage South would then score another run in the bottom of the second.  Robert Paradise doubled and scored on a Kyle Campfield single.  The Cardinals again scored 2 runs in the top of the third to take a 4-3 lead.  PS tied the game in the fourth when Kyle Campfield tripled and plated Mike Price.  In the top of the fifth, the Cardinals opened the game with a 7-run inning to lead 11-4.  The Black Squirrels would score 3 runs in the sixth, but fell short and took the first loss of the season.  Kyle Campfield was 3-4 with a 3B and 2 RBI.  Paradise was 2-3 with a 2B and 2 runs.

Portage South Take 2 More to Extend the Streak to 11

The Black Squirrels scored 21 runs in two games to extend their winning streak to 11 games with victrories over the C.V. Pigs.  In game one, PS scored 4 runs in the first and 6 more in the second to lead 10-0 after 2 innings.  They were able to tack on an additional run in the fourth and won 11-0.  Kevin Yelinek was 2-2 with 2 2Bs and 2 RBI.  Ron Spears and Kevin Haley were, each, 2-3.  Walt Samson threw a complete game shutout for the win.

In game 2, the PS bats were still making a lot of noise.  They scored 2 in the first, another run in the second and 6 runs in the third.  Portage South added another run in the fourth to make it 10-0.  Nick Ostrander went 3-3 with 2 2Bs and a RBI.  Ron Spears and Jason Preising each had 2 hits, a 2B and 3 RBI.  Kevin Haley threw all 5 innings for the victory.  Haley allowed just 2 hits and struck out five.

Portage South Makes it 9 in a Row with 15-2 Win Over the Beavers

Portage South got their 9th win in a row to start the season with a victory over the Akron Beavers.  PS scored a run in the first and 5 more in the second to lead 6-0.  The Black Squirrels pushed 2 more runs across in the third.  The Beavers got on the board in the fifth with a run, but PS came right back with 2 more runs in the sixth to make it 10-1.  In the seventh, Portage South pushed 5 more runs across and won 15-2.  Kevin Haley went 3-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI to lead the offense.  Danny Campfield was 2-2 with a RBI.  Eric Schaffer went 5 innings for the victory, striking out six.

Portage South Gets 2 Big Wins Against the Braves

Runs were hard to come by when two of the top teams in the National Division matched in this doubleheader.  In game one, the Braves scored a run in the first to take the early lead.  That would stand until fourth when Portage South was able to tie the game at 1-1.  Kevin Yelinek singled followed by a single by Ron Spears.  Phil Smith then singled to score Yelinek and tie the game.  It would remain that way until the top of the seventh when Kyle Campfield hit a pinch hit solo homerun for the win.  Adam Samson started the game on the mound for PS and went 4 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 4.  Nic Carucci came in relief to throw the final 3 innings for the victory.  Carucci struck out 6 and allowed no hits.

Game two had Portage South get out to the early lead with a run in the first inning after Kevin Haley singled and scored.  The Braves would tie it in the fourth inning, but in the fifth PS put up 2 runs to go ahead 3-1.  Haley walked this time and moved to second on a wild pitch.  He would score on the Danny Campfield single.  Kyle Campfield and Kevin Yelinek would follow with singles to load the bases.  Jason Preising's sacrifice fly would score Danny Campfield.  The Black Squirrels tacked on another run in the sixth on a RBI single by Ron Spears to win 4-1.  Yelinek went 2-3 to lead the offense.  Walt Samson threw a complete game for the win, allowing 1 R and struck out 8.

Portage South Wins Big Over South Akron Kraken

Leading 6-3 heading into the fifth inning, Portage South put up a 7-run inning to win 13-3.  Phil Smith was 1-1 with a HR and 3 RBI in 4 ABs.  Kyle Campfield was 2-3 with 2 RBI.  Eric Schaffer went all 5 innings for his second victory of the week, striking out 10.

Portage South Takes 2 from Storm

Portage South matched up with the Erie Coast Storm in a doubleheader.  In game 1, the Storm took a 1-0 lead with a run in the second inning.  PS came back with 4 runs in the third inning.  After 5 straight walks scored 2 runs for the Black Squirrels, Mike Haney had a 2-run single to make it 4-1.  Portage South would add another run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Mike Darrah as PS won 5-1.  Haney was 2-3 with 2 RBIs for the Black Squirrel offense.  Walt Samson went all 7 innings in the victory, allowing just 4 hits and 1 run while striking out 12 batters.

The Portage South offense came alive in the game 2 of the doubleheader.  PS got 2 runs in the third inning on a double by Mike Darrah, then a walk for Phil Smith and 2-run triple by Kyle Campfield.  In the fourth, the Black Squirrels got more runs to make it 4-0.  Portage South broke it open in the fifth with a 4 run frame.  Darrah had a 2 run single in the inning.  PS got 3 more runs in the sixth on a RBI single by Jake Thomas and a 2-run single by Ron Spears to win 11-0.  Darrah was 3-3 with a 2B and 2 RBI.  Spears was 3-5 with 3 RBI.  Jason Preising was also 2-2 with a 2B for PS.  Eric Schaffer went 5 innings for the victory, allowing 3 hits and striking out 6.

Portage South Tops the Gamecocks

Portage South faced the Ohio Gamecocks in a National Division game.  The Gamecocks scored a run in the top of the second inning for the early lead, but PS came right back with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning.  Danny Campfield walked and Kyle Campfield singled.  A Walt Samson single scored the Campfield brothers.  The Gamecocks scored a run in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2.  In the bottom of the fourth, Portage South scored 3 runs for a 5-2 lead.  The Black Squirrels scored 4 more runs in the fifth and won 9-2.  Kevin Yelinek was 2-3 with 2 runs scored.  Adam Samson went 5 innings for the win, allowing 2 runs and striking out 11 batters.

Portage South Opens Season With Doubleheader Sweep

Portage South opened the 2013 regular season with a doubleheader against the Hit & Run Indians.  In game one, PS scored a run in the first to take a 1-0 lead.  Pat Smith walked and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jesse Michel.  Ron Spears singled to move Smith to third.  After Kevin Yelinek walked to load the bases, Mike Haney drew a walk to score Smith.  The Indians scored 2 runs in the top of the sixth for a 2-1 lead, but the Black Squirrels answered with 2 runs for their own in the bottom half.  Danny Campfield and Yelinek each singled and Haney moved them over with a sacrifice bunt.  Kyle Campfield then tripled to scored both runners.  PS held them scoreless in the seventh to win 3-2.  Kyle Campfield was 1-3 with a triple and 2 RBIs.  Walt Samson went 7 innings for the complete game victory, allowing 2 runs and striking out 10.

In game 2, Portage South again took a 1-0 lead this time in the second.  Mike Haney singled, advanced to third after 2 walks and scored on a wild pitch.  PS offense broke out in the third with a 4 run frame.  Ron Spears walked with one out and moved to second on a Kevin Yelinek single.  After a double steal, Haney was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Kyle Campfield then doubled home Spears and Yelinek.  Jake Thomas followed with a 2-run single, scoring Haney and Campfield.  Portage South tacked on 2 runs in the fourth and 3 more in the sixth to take a 10-0 lead.  The Indians scored 2 runs in the sixth and another run in the seventh, but PS won 10-3.  Kyle Campfield was 3-3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs.  Spears also went 2-3 with a 2B and 2 RBIs for the Black Squirrels.  Eric Schaffer, who had a no-hitter through 5 innings, went the distance for the win.  He allowed 5 hits and struck out six.