Portage South Wins NABA Labor Day Tournament in Rochester, NY
Portage South Black Squirrels traveled to Rochester, New York for a 3-day tournament over
Labor Day weekend. PS would play in 5 games over the the 3 days and go 4-1 in that span to win the tournament. In the
first game, Portage South would face the Flour City Doughboys. PS would get 2 runs in the top of the first inning to
take an early lead. The Doughboys would come back with 2 of their own in th second inning to tie the game. Portage
South would get 2 more runs in the third to take the lead for good. Mike Haney doubled home Ty
Moorhead and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jason Preising. The Black Squirrels would
tack on 4 more runs in the fourth to push the lead to 8-2. Alonzo Spears singled and scored on a Jesse
Michel double. Michel would score on the Ron Spears sac fly. Phil Smith
and Moorhead would both walk, then Danny Campfield double home both of them. PS would go on to win
the first game 12-4. Kevin Haley went all 7 innings on the mound for the win. Spears led the
offense going 2-4 with a 2B, 3B and 2 RBI.
In the second game, Portage South would face the Rochester Cardinals. PS again got on
the board first with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Jesse Michel singled and scored on a
Phil Smith single. The Cardinals would get 2 runs in the third to grab the lead. They added a
run in the fifth and another in the sixth to go up 4-1. PS would get 2 runs in the seventh to get within a run at 4-3.
Ty Moorhead's triple scored Ron Spears and Smith. Portage South would get 2
more runs in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead and held on for a 5-4 win. John Ventura threw
the final 1 2/3 innings for the win. Moorhead went 2-5 with a 3B and 2 RBI to lead the Black Squirrel offense.
Portage South faced the Rochester
Bulldogs in the next game of the tournament. PS again scored first with a run in the top of the first inning. Ron
Spears doubled and scored on the Mike Haney single. The Bulldogs came back with 2 runs in
the bottom half of the inning to take the lead. Portage South would tie the game in the third when Spears tripled and
scored on a Ty Moorhead sac fly. In the fourth inning, the Bulldogs scored 2 more runs to go up 4-2.
The Black Squirrels tallied 6 runs in the top of the fifth to go ahead 8-4. Alonzo Spears walked
and scored on a Jesse Michel homerun. Then Spears and Phil Smith would single, followed
by a walk drawn by Danny Campfield to load the bases. Haney would double home Spears and Smith. Campfield
would score on a Justin Nelson single and Haney was able to advance and score on the throw. PS got
2 runs in the seventh and Bulldogs rallied with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning, but that would be as close as they would
get as Portage South would win 10-7. Moorhead went all 9 innings on the mound for the win.
In game 4 of the tournament, Portage South would play the Rochester Devils. The Devils
got out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. PS would come back with 2 runs in the top of the second to pull within
one at 3-2. The Devils would extend the lead with 2 runs in the third and 4 more in the fourth to lead 9-3. Portage
South would get 3 runs in the fifth to get within three runs, but the Devils pulled away for a 13-8 victory. Jason
Preising led the offense going 2-3 with a 2B and a RBI. Ron Spears also added 2 hits for the
Black Squirrels.
Portage South would earn a
spot in the championship game of the tournament with the 3-1 pool record and would face the Rochester Bulldogs for the second
time. The Bulldogs got a run across in the first inning and then another run in the top of the sixth. PS would
finally get on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a 5-run outburst. Alonzo Spears started the
inning with a single, followed by a walk to Jesse Michel. Ron Spears would load the
bases with a single, then Phil Smith would hit a double to score Alonzo Spears and Michel. Danny
Campfield would follow with a double that scored Ron Spears and Smith. Mike Haney's single
scored Campfield to round out the scoring the inning. The Black Squirrels would get 2 more runs in the eighth inning
to put the game away. Justin Nelson doubled home Smith, who had reached on an error. Jason
Preising would single to score Nelson. Nic Carucci threw all 9 innings in the complete game
victory, striking out 7 and not walking a batter. Kevin Haley led the way for the PS offense with 2
hits. Smith and Campfield each had a 2B and 2 RBIs.
PS vs. Flour City Doughboys - Box Score
PS vs. Rochester Cardinals - Box Score
PS vs. Rochester Bulldogs - Box Score
PS vs. Rochester Devils - Box Score
PS vs. Rochester Bulldogs - Box Score
Portage South Loses in the League Tournament Semifinal
Portage South would play the Ohio Eagles in the first round of the league tournament.
PS scored 2 runs in the first inning to take an early lead. Jesse Michel would lead off with a single.
Phil Smith and Ron Spears would each single to load the bases. Jimmy
Jamieson would single to score Michel and Smith. The Black Squirrels would get 4 more runs in the second inning
to increase the lead to 6-0. Kevin Yelinek and Brady Haba would both single with one
out. Michel would then single to left and a misplay by the left fielder allowed Yelinek and Haba to score.
Smith and Spears would both walk to load the bases and Jamieson would reach on an error by the third baseman to
score Michel and Smith. Portage South would make it 8-0 with 2 runs in the fourth. Spears would start the inning
with a single, followed by a Jamieson walk. After Jason Preising walked to load the bases, Yelinek
would hit a sac fly to score Spears. Haba would then score Jamieson with a single. The Eagles would get 3 runs
in the fifth and 2 more runs in the seventh to make it 8-5, but that was as close as it would get. Haba went 3-3 with
a run and RBI. Jamieson was 2-3 with 2 RBI. Aaron Pinsoneault would get his 6th win of
the season, going the distance on the mound.
Portage South would get a bye
to the Winner's Bracket Final against the Vukgripz Akron A's. This game between the top 2 teams in the Elite
Division went back and forth. It had to be played over 2 days with darkness and extra innings. The A's would strike
first with a run in the first inning. Then PS went on top with 2 runs in the third. Kevin
Yelinek would single and move to second on a Justin Nelson sac bunt. Mike Darrah
would single to make it first and third, then steal second. Phil Smith was intentionally walked to
load the bases, then Ron Spears would single home Yelinek and Darrah. The A's went back in the lead
with 2 runs in the fifth. PS would tie the game at 3-3 with a run in the fifth. Nelson was hit by a pitch,
moved to second on a Darrah single and scored on a Jesse Michel single. The Black Squirrels would take
the lead in the sixth. Jimmy Jamieson doubled start the inning. Alonso Spears,
who was pinch running for Jamieson, would score on a misplayed ball off the bat of Mike Haney. The
A's would get a run in the top of the seventh to tie it at 4-4 and the game would be suspended due to darkness. When
play resumed, the A's were able to get 4 runs in the ninth inning to win 8-4. Darrah was 3-4 with 2 SBs to lead the
offense and threw 7 innings on the mound for a no decision.
PS would then
face the Nordonia Renegades in the consolation final game with the winner going to the league championship game.
Nordonia got on top with 2 runs in the first inning. Portage South would cut the lead in half with a run in the second.
Danny Campfield would single, move to second on a passed ball and score on a Justin Nelson
single. Nordonia would get a run in the fifth and sixth to push the lead to 4-1. In the seventh, the Black Squirrels
would get 2 runs but came up short as the final out was made on a close play at the plate. Campfield
started the seventh with a homerun to right field. Nelson would reach on an error, then back-to-back walks to Kevin
Haley and Jesse Michel would load the bases. Alex McCue would single home one
run, but the second runner was thrown out at the plate and the game ended 4-3. Campfield was 2-3 with a HR and RBI.
PS vs Ohio Eagles - Box Score
PS vs. Vukgripz A's - Box Score
PS vs. Nordonia Renegades - Box Score
Black Squirrels are Regular Season Champs After DH Sweep
Portage South Black Squirrels needed to sweep the final doubleheader of the season to become
regular season. In game one, the PS offense took care of business. In the first inning, Jesse Michel
reached on a fielder's choice and Phil Smith followed with a single. Ron Spears
would double to score both runners and he would score on Jimmy Jamieson's double. Nordonia scored
a run in the 4th to make it 3-1, but Portage South got 3 more runs in the fifth to extend the lead to 6-1. Mike
Darrah and Michel would both single. Smith would follow with a 3-run homerun. PS got 6 more runs
in the 6th inning to win 12-1. Brady Haba and Kevin Yelinek singled with one
out. Justin Nelson would follow with a single that would score Haba. Darrah and Michel would
both walk, with Michel's walk plating Yelinek. Smith would then hit a grand slam. Smith was 3-4 with 2
HR, 3 runs and 7 RBIs. Spears was also 2-3 with a double and 2 RBIs for Portage South. Darrah allowed
3 hits and struck out 11 in a complete game win on the mound.
In game two,
PS would get on the board in the first inning on a solo homerun by Phil Smith. This
made 3 consecutive at-bats with a homerun for Smith. The Black Squirrels would plate 2 more runs in the second to increase
the lead to 3-0. Mike Darrah would single and steal second. Alonso Spears followed
with a walk and he stole second after Darrah had advance on a wild pitch. Lyndon Rainey was hit
by a pitch to load the bases and Jesse Michel would single home Darrah and Spears. Nordonia got a run
in the fifth inning to make it 3-1, but Portage South would push the lead out to 6-1 with 3 runs in the sixth.
Smith is hit by a pitch, followed by a Ron Spears single. Mike Haney would walk to
load the bases, then Brady Haba would walk to score Smith. After a FC cut down Ron Spears at the plate,
Alonso Spears would single home Haney and Rainey would walk to score Haba. The Renegades would get two runs in
the seventh, but Portage South would win 6-3 to become the outright regular season league champions. Smith
went 2-3 with a HR and 2 runs. Alonso Spears was 1-2 with a RBI and stolen base. Aaron Pinsoneault
went 5 innings on the mound with 8 strikeouts for his 6th win of the season.
PS vs. Nordonia Renegades - Game 1 Box Score
PS vs. Nordonia Renegades - Game 2 Box Score
Black Squirrels Bounce Back with a Sweep of the Ohio Eagles
After dropping 3 straight games, Portage South faced the Ohio Eagles in a doubleheader.
The first game had PS get 2 runs in the top of the first inning. Jimmy Jamieson led off the game with
a double. He would score on Phil Smith's single. Danny Campfield's single would
bring Smith around to score. The Eagles got a run back in the second, but the Squirrels scored 2 more runs in the third
to push the lead to 4-1. Jesse Michel and Smith would both walk with one out. After a double
steal got both runners into scoring position, Ron Spears hit a sacrifice fly to score Michel. Campfield
would follow with a single to plate Smith. The Eagles would get a run in the fourth and fifth innings to cut the lead
to 4-3. PS tacked on 2 runs in the seventh to win 6-3. A 2-run single by Spears would score Michel and Smith.
Garrett Mennenga would throw 5 innings for the win, allowing just 2 earned runs and striking out 3.
Michael Poole threw 2 scoreless innings to pick up the save. Campfield had 2 hits and 2 RBI to lead
the offense. Spears also drove in 3 runs for Portage South.
Game 2
had the Black Squirrel offense get started early with a 5 run first inning. Jesse Michel would double
with one out. After a Phil Smith walk, Ron Spears would double home both runners.
Danny Campfield and Jimmy Jamieson would each walk to load the bases. Alex
McCue would single home Spears and Alonzo Spears, who was pinch running for Campfield and Kevin
Haley's single scored Jamieson. The Eagles would get a run in the fourth and fifth inning to make it a 5-2
game, then PS would push it back to a 5-run lead with 2 runs in the bottom of the fifth. Smith would hit a ball that
nestled in the tree in left field for a homerun. Spears would single and score on a sac fly by McCue. Portage
South would get another run in the sixth when Mike Darrah doubled and scored on Smith's sacrifice fly.
The Eagles picked up a run in the seventh to make it an 8-3 final. Darrah threw seven innings for the win on the mound,
striking out 10. Ron Spears would go 3-4 to lead the offense with a double and 2 RBI.
PS vs. Ohio Eagles - Game 1 Box Score
PS vs. Ohio Eagles - Game 2 Box Score
Portage South Dropped Both in a Doubleheader with the A's
Coming off their first shutout loss, Portage South continued its struggles on offense in a
doubleheader with the Vukgripz A's. In game one, neither would score until the fourth when the A's pushed a run across.
PS answered in the bottom of the fourth with a run of their own. Phil Smith would double and score
on Danny Campfield's sacrifice fly. The A's broke the 1-1 tie with a run in the sixth inning and 3
more in the seventh to win 5-1. Smith would lead the Squirrels, going 2-2 with 2 doubles.
In the second one, the A's got a run in the first and 6 runs in the second to get out to a 7-0 lead. Portage
South would score a run in the bottom of the second when Danny Campfield singled and came around to score
on an RBI groundout by Kevin Haley. After a run in the fourth by the A's made it 8-1, PS would get
a run back in the fifth. Haley would walk to start the inning. Brady Haba and Jesse Michel
would follow with a single each to load the bases. Haley would score on a Phil Smith sacrifice fly.
This would be the final score of the game as the A's swept with an 8-2 win. Michel and Campfield were both 2-3 for the
Black Squirrels.
PS vs. Vukgripz A's - Game 1 Box Score
PS vs. Vukgripz A's - Game 2 Box Score
PS Offense Cooled in 3-0 Loss
Portage South came in with the offense clicking well to face the Ohio Gamecocks. The
Gamecocks would scored 3 runs in the top of the first inning and that would be all the scoring needed as they shut out the
Portage South Black Squirrels, 3-0. Danny Campfield led the Portage South offense with 2 singles.
Eric Schaffer allowed only 1 earned run and struck out 5 in the complete game loss.
PS vs. Ohio Gamecocks - Box Score
Portage South Splits Doubleheader
Portage South faced South Akron Kraken in a doubleheader for the second time this season.
In game one, the Kraken got on the board first with 3 runs in the first inning. PS came back in the third with a run
to cut the lead to 3-1. Justin Nelson walked and scored on a Jesse Michel double.
The Black Squirrels would pick up another in the fourth, but South Akron got a run of their own in the bottom half of the
fourth and 2 more runs in the fifth to win 6-2.
In the second game, the
Kraken would get out to a lead again with a 2-run second inning, but Portage South offense would wake up. In the bottom
of the second, PS would tie the game at 2-2. Danny Campfield would double and Mike Haney
would follow with a 2-run homerun. The Squirrels would add to the lead in the third with 3 more runs. Jimmy
Jamieson would single. He would score on a Phil Smith homerun. Campfield would single
with 2 outs and was plated on Haney's double. Portage South put the game away with a 6-run fifth inning. Jamieson
and Smith would each single to start the inning. Ron Spears would single home Jamieson. Campfield's
double scored Smith. After Haney was intentionally walk to load the bases, Jason Preising would double
home Spears and Campfield. Jesse Michel rounded out the scoring with a single that plated Haney and
Preising. PS tacked on one more run in the sixth to win 12-2. Smith and Campfield were both 3-4, with Smith having
a 2B and HR and Campfield adding 2 doubles. Haney was 2-2 with a double, HR and 3 RBI. Aaron Pinsoneault
went the distance on the mound to improve to 4-0 on the season.
PS vs. South Akron Kraken - Game 1 Box Score
PS vs. South Akron Kraken - Game 2 Box Score
Portage South Edges Out Vukgripz A's for 3-2 Victory
Portage South met up with the Vukgripz Akron A's for the second time of the season on Wednesday
night. The A's got out to the early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning. PS would come back with
2 runs in the second inning to go up 2-1. Justin Nelson would walk followed by a single by Jason
Preising. After a double steal moved the runners to second and third, Kevin Yelinek would
get an infield single to score Nelson. Phil Smith would score Preising on a hard hit ball that was
mishandled by the shortstop. The Black Squirrels would get another run in the third to increase the lead to 3-1. Portage
South would load the bases without a hit as they took advantage of 2 hit batsmen and a walk. Then a Nelson sacrifice
fly would score Danny Campfield who was hit by a pitch to reach base. The A's would score on more run
in the fourth to close the gap to 3-2, but that was as close as they would get as PS held on for the 3-2 win. Kevin
Haley threw all 7 innings for the victory, allowing just 1 earned run and 3 hits while striking out 5 batters.
PS vs. Vukgripz Akron A's - Box Score
Portage South Improves to 12-1 with Win Over Gamecocks
The Portage South Black Squirrels got down 2-0 in the first inning and had to find a way to
battle back. PS used a 5-run fourth inning to grab the lead. Mike Haney started the inning with
a single. Alex McCue would reach on a fielder's choice and Danny Campfield would drive
both runners home with a double. Jason Preising would walk, followed by a Kevin Haley
single to load the bases. Phil Smith would then double and clear the bases. The Gamecocks would
claw back into the game with a run in the fifth and 2 more in the sixth inning to tie the game at 5-5. In the seventh,
Portage South would get a lead off double by Brady Haba. Then Jesse Michel would single.
Michel stole second and drew an errant throw that allowed Haba to score. Ron Spears would then
single to score Michel. PS got their final run of the inning on another Campfield double to win 8-5. Haley would
throw a scoreless seventh for the save. Eric Schaffer started and went 6 innings to pick up his 4th
win of the season. Campfield went 2-3 with 2 2Bs and 3 RBIs to lead the offense.
PS vs. Ohio Gamecocks - Box Score
Portage South Suffers First Loss, but Explodes in Game 2 for the
Split
Portage South carried a 10 game winning streak into the
doubleheader with the Ohio Eagles. In game one, PS scored a run in the third and another in the fourth for a 2-0 lead.
Brady Haba singled in the third and scored on a Alex McCue ground out. Jimmy
Jamieson led off the fourth with a double and scored on Danny Campfield's single. The
Eagles came back in the fifth inning with 3 runs to grab the lead, 3-2. In the seventh, McCue singled
with 2 outs and was followed by Phil Smith's double that bounced over the outfield fence, keeping
McCue from scoring on the play to tie. The game would end with the bases loaded for Portage South as they lost
their first game of the season. Michael Poole threw well in his season debut, going 4 1/3 innings with 8
strikeouts and allowing just 2 earned runs.
In game two, the Black
Squirrel offense came alive. PS got 3 runs in the first inning on a 3-run homerun by Phil Smith.
In the top of the third, Portage South increased the lead with six runs in the inning and make it
9-0. Danny Campfield would plate 2 runs with a single, followed by a 2-run double by Jason
Preising. Ohio Eagles would get a run in the top of the third to close the gap to just 9-1. PS would
add 3 more runs in the fourth and 2 in the fifth to win 14-1. In the fourth, Smith would double followed by a Ron
Spears double that scored him. Jimmy Jamieson would single to score Spears and he would score
on Campfield's double. Smith was 2-4 with a 2B, HR, 3 RBI. Spears went 2-3 with 2 2Bs and 3 runs. Garrett
Mennenga got his second win, going 4 innings and allowing just one run.
PS vs. Ohio Eagles - Game 1 Box Score
PS vs. Ohio Eagles - Game 2 Box Score
Portage South Gets 400th Victory in Team History
Portage South came into their game against the Tallmadge Knights just one win shy of 400 all
times for the team. PS got on the board first in the contest with 3 runs in the top of the third. Phil
Smith started the inning with a double. Ron Spears would walk and Jimmy Jamieson
would single to score Smith. Spears scored on a sacrifice fly from Danny Campfield. The Knights
scored a run in the bottom half to make it 3-1. Portage South would extend the lead to 6-1 in the fourth inning. Jesse
Michel would walk and he would score on the Smith homerun. Spears would double and score on a wild pitch. PS
made it 8-1 in the fifth, but Tallmadge scored 4 runs in the bottom of the inning to make it 8-5 and that is how the game
finished. Smith was 2-3 with a double and homerun. Jason Preising was also 2-4 with a RBI for
the Black Squirrels in his 200th game played. Aaron Pinsoneault picked up his 3rd win of the season,
allowing 1 run over the 4 innings pitched.
PS vs. Tallmadge Knights - Box Score
Portage South Sweeps South Akron Kraken
In game one of the doubleheader, the Kraken scored first with a run in each of the first three
innings. In the bottom of the third, PS would score 5 runs to take the lead. Michael Poole reached
on an error and scored on Mike Darrah homerun. Alex McCue would double home a run followed by a Jimmy Jamieson sacrifice fly and a Danny Campfield
RBI single to make it 5-3. Portage South would add a run in the fourth and then put the game away with a 5 run 5th.
McCue would walk to start the fifth and Jamieson would single. Alonzo Spears would move them
over with a sacrifice bunt then Justin Nelson would single and score them both. A double by Darrah
would plate 2 more runs. The Kraken would score 4 runs in the seventh, but fell short 11-7. Darrah was 2-3 with
a HR and 4 RBI. Garrett Mennenga threw the first four innings on the mound to pick up his first victory
with Portage South.
Game two had Portage South scoring early and often,
as they scored in each inning on their way to a 11-0 win. In the first, Mike Darrah and Jesse
Michel would single. Darrah would score on a Ron Spears single. Darrah scored in the
second on a Michel double. The Black Squirrels offense exploded in this with 20 hits and 11 runs. Jimmy
Jamieson was 4-5 with a double to lead the way for PS. Darrah was 3-5 with 4 runs scored. Michel went
3-3 with a 2B and RBI and Spears was 3-4 with 3 runs and a RBI. Eric Schaffer went 5 innings for the
win, allowing 0 runs, 6 hits and striking out 10 batters.
PS vs. South Akron Kraken - Game 1 Box Score
PS vs. South Akron Kraken - Game 2 Box Score
Jamieson's Walkoff Grand Slam Helps Complete the DH Sweep
Portage South entered the doubleheader with the Ohio Gamecocks with a one game leading in the
standings. In game one, PS was able to strike first with 3 runs in the first inning. Jesse Michel
singled, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Phil Smith followed with
a walk and stole second. Ron Spears walked to load the bases and Alex McCue singled
to score Michel. Jimmy Jamieson would also single to score Smith and Spears. The Gamecocks
would get a run back in the bottom half of the inning, but Portage South broke the game open with a 7-run fourth inning.
Michel had an RBI single, followed by a RBI double by Smith. Spears would then plate both of them with a single and
scored on a Mike Haney single. Justin Nelson would single to push 2 more runs across. They
added another run in the fifth to win by a final of 11-1. Aaron Pinsoneault threw all 5 innings in
the victory, allowing 1 run and striking out seven. Michel was 3-3 with a double, RBI and 2 SBs. Jamieson
and Nelson were each 2-3 with 2 RBI.
Game two was a very tight game
throughout. The Gamecocks would score a run in the top of the second and Portage South answered with a run in the bottom
half of the inning. Alex McCue would triple and score on a Danny Campfield sacrifice
fly. In the fourth inning, the Gamecocks would again score a run in the top half. PS was able to match again with
a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Ron Spears would single, move to second on a McCue walk,
steal third and score on a Jimmy Jamieson sac fly. It would remained tied into extra innings.
In the bottom of the tenth, Spears would double. The next two hitters would receive intentional walks to load the
bases. Jamieson then would hit a grand slam to left field for the walkoff victory and doubleheader sweep.
Mike Darrah threw a scoreless tenth for the win on the mound, he also was 3-3 at the plate with
a double. Jamie Ganz made his PS debut in relief, going 5.2 innings striking out 6 and allowing
just 1 hit. Jamieson was 1-4 with a HR and 5 RBI and Spears was 2-5 with a double for the Portage South offense.
PS vs. Ohio Gamecocks - Game 1 Box Score
PS vs. Ohio Gamecocks - Game 2 Box Score
Portage South Wins 5th Consecutive Game
The Portage South Black Squirrels have now opened the season with 5 straight victories after
their win over the Akron Buckeyes Thursday night, 7-1. PS scored the first run of the game in the second inning
when Alex McCue led off the inning with a triple and Jimmy Jamieson followed with a
single to score McCue. They would tack on another 3 runs in the fourth inning to make it 4-0. A bases loaded walk
to Jesse Michel scored the first run of the inning. Phil Smith would then double to
score 2 more runs. Portage South would get another run in the fifth and 2 more in the seventh on a 2-run single by Lyndon
Rainey. Eric Schaffer went the first 5 innings, holding the Buckeyes scoreless and allowing
1 hit while striking out six. Smith went 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI in his first action of 2016.
PS vs. Akron Buckeyes - Box Score
Portage South Win Game 1 of DH, but Rain Washes Game 2
The Black Squirrels were able to score first in game one of a doubleheader with Vukgripz Akron
A's. In the top of the first inning, Brady Haba singled and moved to second on a walk to Jesse
Michel. Haba would score on a Alex McCue single. The A's would score a run in the bottom
of the first to tie the game and take a 4-1 lead with a 3-run second inning. PS was able to tie the game with a 3-run
inning of their own in the third. Michel would lead off the inning with a solo homerun. Ron Spears
and Jimmy Jamieson would get back-to-back singles, followed by a Danny Campfield walk to
load the bases. Jason Preising would score Spears and Jamieson with a single to make it 4-4. Portage
South was able to grab the lead with 2 runs in the fourth. Haba was hit by a pitch followed by a Michel double that
scored Haba. McCue would triple to plate Michel. The Black Squirrels would add to their lead with a 2-run homerun
by Preising and win 8-4. Kevin Haley came on in relief to pick up the win, holding the A's offense
scoreless over the final 5 innings. McCue was 3-4 with a triple and 2 RBI to lead the PS attack. Preising was
also 2-4 with a homerun and 4 RBI. Game two would be rained out.
PS vs. Vukgripz Akron A's - Box Score
PS Holds on for Victory Over Bomb Squad
Portage South wasted no time getting on the board against Bomb Squad with a run in the first
inning. Alex McCue's single scored Brady Haba, who had reached on an error to start
the inning. In the fourth, PS would score 6 runs to take a 7-0 lead. Ron Spears would double
and, after 2 straight walks, Justin Nelson would score Spears with a single. Portage South would get
2 more runs with a bases loaded walk to Steve Swiger and Haba followed by being hit by a pitch. Jesse
Michel would then hit a bases clearing double to round out the scoring. The Bomb Squad rallied in the 5th with
a 6-run inning of their own to get within a run at 7-6. McCue came in on the mound to shut down the rally and PS would
hold on to win 7-6. Michel led the offense, going 1-3 with a double and 3 RBI. Eric Schaffer
went 4-plus innings for the win. McCue held the Bomb Squad scoreless over the his 3 innings of work for the save.
PS vs. Bomb Squad - Box Score
Portage South Opens Season with DH Sweep
The Portage South Black Squirrels opened the 2016 season with a doubleheader against the Nordonia
Renegades at CVCA. PS scored first with 2 runs in the fourth inning. Ron Spears led the inning
off with a single followed by a Mike Haney double. Kevin Haley plated Spears with
a sacrifice and Haney scored on a Alex McCue single. Portage South would extend the lead with a 4-run
5 inning behind a McCue 2-run single. The Black Squirrels would tack on another run in the 6th inning and win game one,
7-0. Aaron Pinsoneault went the distance on the mound, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 14. McCue
was 2-3 with 3 RBI and 2 SB. Spears also was 2-3 with 2 runs and 1 RBI.
In
game two, Nordonia would get on the board in the second inning with a solo homerun. PS would grab the lead, momentarily,
with 2 runs in the top of the fourth inning. Jesse Michel started the inning off with a double and
was driven home on a sacrifice fly by Spears. McCue would have an RBI double that scored Danny Campfield,
who had walked to reach base. The Renegades would tie it in the bottom half of the inning. In the fifth inning,
Portage South broke the game open with 6 runs. PS was able to take advantage of some free passes and some timely hits
and led 8-2. Nordonia would get 3 runs in the bottom of the fifth, but that was as close as they would get. The
Black Squirrels added a run in the sixth on a Michel homerun and 3 runs in the seventh, including Jason Preising's
2-run HR in the inning. Kevin Haley threw 6 innings for the win. Michel went 4-5 with 2 doubles,
homerun, 3 runs and 2 RBI. Alonzo Spears was also 2-4 for Portage South.
PS vs. Nordonia Renegades - Game 1 Box Score
PS vs. Nordonia Renegades - Game 2 Box Score
