2021 Game Recaps

Portage South Wins 3rd Greater Akron AA Championship

Portage South earned a trip to their eighth championship game when they faced the Akron Irish on Saturday at the Ballpark at Hudson.  PS took the early lead with a run in the first inning.  Josh Salinas singled to right field and moved to second on a groundout by Ty Moorhead.  Justin Nelson would score Salinas with a single.  The Irish came back in the top of the second to tie the game with a run.  The Black Squirrels added 2 runs in the bottom half of the inning to go up 3-1.  Mike Haney reached on a error and moved to second on the throw.  Tyler Mazzei was hit by a pitch to make it first and second.  Both runners moved up on a groundout by Phil Kaderle, then Jason Preising singled up the middle to score both runners.  Once again, the Irish were able to push another run across in the third, making it 3-2.  Portage South then opened up the game with a 6-run frame in the bottom of the third.  Moorhead leadoff the inning with a double to left.  He would score on a single by Jesse Michel, followed by a Haney single and Clay Davies walk to load the bases.  Kaderle singled to right center to plate Michel and Todd Schromm, who was running for Haney.  Preising was hit by a pitch to load the bases, then Mike Darrah would also get hit by a pitch to score Davies.  Moorhead would single for his second hit of the inning and drive in Kaderle and Lucius Ivory, who was running for Preising.  The Irish added a run in the fifth and another 2 runs in the seventh inning, but would fall short, 9-5 and The Black Squirrels would win their 3rd championship in team history.  Eric Schaffer went all 7 innings on the mound for the win, his 10th of the season.  This was the first 10-game winner in PS history.  Moorhead was 3-4 with a double, 2 RBI and 2 stolen bases to lead the Black Squirrel offense.  Portage South also finished the season with a 23-3 record. 

Portage South Advances to Winners Bracket Final with Win

Portage South Black Squirrels would meet the Akron Rays in the second round of the AA Tournament on Sunday.  The game was scoreless through the first 3 and a half innings.  In the bottom of the fourth, Portage South was able to push 2 runs across to take the lead.  Ty Moorhead singled to lead off the inning and stole second base.  Justin Nelson would follow with a single to move Moorhead to third.  Nelson would also steal second.  Tyler Mazzei reached on a infield single and Moorhead would score as he beat the throw home.  Nelson scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Haney.  The Rays came right back in the top of the fifth inning with 2 runs to tie the game.  Then PS would answer with 2 more runs in the bottom half of the inning.  Mike Darrah doubled down the left field line, then stole third base.  Josh Salinas walked and stole second.  Moorhead would drive in Darrah with a RBI groundout.  Then Nelson singled up the middle to bring home Salinas to make the game 4-2.  Eric Schaffer would go all 7 innings on the mound for the complete game victory.  Schaffer's win set the new Portage South single season record for wins at nine.  Darrah went 3-3 with 2 doubles to lead the offense. 

PS Opens AA Tournament with a Victory

Portage South earned the top seed in the AA tournament and would play the newest team in the league, Portage Lakes Lakers.  The Lakers scored 2 runs in the top of the first for the early lead.  Portage South was able to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning.  Mike Darrah was hit by a pitch then Ty Moorhead homer to left field.  PS got 2 more runs in the second to make it 4-2.  Darrah would walk, followed by a Josh Salinas double moving Darrah to third.  Darrah would score on a wild pitch and Salinas would move to third.  Moorhead walked and stole second, scoring Salinas on a double steal.  The Lakers would get 3 runs in the top of the third, but once again the Black Squirrels answered with 2 more runs in the bottom half.  Jesse Michel walked and Tyler Mazzei reached on a fielder's choice.  Lucius Ivory would follow with a double to score both Michel and Mazzei.  Portage South got another run in the fourth, making the score 7-5.  Salinas walked and scored on a Moorhead double to deep left center.  The Lakers scored a run in the fifth to cut the lead in half, but once again PS answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth.  Todd Schromm walked and scored on an error later in the inning.  The Black Squirrels put the game away in the sixth with a 3-run frame for an 11-6 lead.  Michel walked and Matt Dile followed with a single.  Mike Haney would pinch hit and single up the middle to score Michel.  Alonzo Spears would pinch run for Dile and score on a bases loaded walk to Darrah.  Salinas then would fly out to right field to score Mazzei, who re-entered for Haney, on the sacrifice fly.  Kevin Haley threw the first 6 innings on the mound for his 8th win of the season as well, tying Schaffer and 4 others for most wins in a season.  Moorhead went 3-4 with a 2B, HR and 3 RBIs to lead the Black Squirrel offense. 

The Black Squirrels Win Both in Regular Season Doubleheader Finale

The Portage South Black Squirrels would face the Akron Irish in a doubleheader for the regular season finale.  In game one, PS scored first with a run in the top of the first inning.  Josh Salinas singled and stole second.  Justin Nelson followed with a single to score Salinas.  The Irish would tie the game in the bottom half of the inning.  The Black Squirrels took the lead again with a 3-run frame in the third inning.  Lucius Ivory would start the inning with a walk, followed by a Mike Darrah single.  Salinas then tripled to score Ivory and Darrah.  Matt Dile hit a sacrifice fly to center that plated Salinas.  Portage South added to the lead with 2 more run in the fourth.  Phil Kaderle walked and stole second and third.  Jason Preising walked to make it first and third, then Kaderle scored on a sacrifice fly by Ivory.  Darrah singled and Salinas doubled home Preising.  The Irish add a run in the fifth to make the score 6-2, but the Black Squirrels would add 3 more runs in the sixth.  Lyndon Rainey doubled to start the inning and Ivory followed with a 2-run homerun to left.  Salinas then singled and stole second.  He moved to third on a Nelson single and scored on Dile's second sacrifice fly of the game.  Akron Irish scored another run in the sixth then Portage South would score another 2 runs, making the score 11-3.  Kaderle would walk and Preising reached after being hit by a pitch.  Kevin Yelinek singled home Kaderle then Darrah was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Nelson then singled to score Preising to round out the PS scoring.  Kevin Haley threw 5 the first 5 innings for the victory on the mound.  Salinas was 4-5 with 2B, 3B, 3 RBIs and 3 runs to lead the offense.

In game two,  Portage South was first to score again with a run in the first inning.  Justin Nelson singled and advanced to third on 2 wild pitches.  Nelson would score on a Matt Dile single.  The Irish was take the lead with 2 runs in the top of the third, but PS came right back with 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning, making the score 4-2.  After a strikeout to start the inning for the Black Squirrels, 3 straight singles by Lucius Ivory, Mike Darrah and Josh Salinas loaded the bases.  Dile would clear the bases with a double, scoring all 3 runners.  Portage South added 2 insurance runs in the fifth inning to increase the lead to 4 runs at 6-2.  Darrah singled and moved to second on a Salinas walk.  Darrah would score when Nelson reached on an error.  Dile singled to score Nelson.  In the sixth, PS put the game away with 3 additional runs, making it 9-2.  Alonzo Spears and Todd Schromm singled, followed by a Lyndon Rainey to load the bases.  Ivory would double to score Spears and Schromm and move Rainey to third.  He would score on a Darrah sacrifice fly.  Eric Schaffer went 5 innings for his 8th win of the season, tying the PS single season record for wins.  Dile was 3-3 with 5 RBIs to lead the offense. 

Portage South Gets Victory Over Nordonia Renegades

Portage South would face the Nordonia Renegades in a rematch of last season's championship game.  PS jumped out to the early lead with 2 runs in the first inning.  Josh Salinas singled with one out in the first.  Ty Moorhead followed with a triple to score Salinas.  Moorhead scored on a RBI groundout by Justin Nelson.  In the third, the Black Squirrels would open up the lead with a 6-run frame.  Lucius Ivory walked and stole second, then scored on a single by Jesse Michel.  Salinas followed with a single and Moorhead would advance Michel to third on a fielder's choice, Salinas was out at second.  Nelson singled home Michel, then Tyler Mazzei would single to plate Moorhead.  Matt Dile doubled to right center, scoring Nelson and moving Mazzei to third.  Mazzei would score and Dile to third on an error by the right fielder.  Mike Haney singled to left scoring Dile.  The Renegades would get 3 runs in the third and 3 more runs in the fourth, cutting the lead to 8-6.  Portage South was able to get a run in the fifth to extend the lead to 3 runs.  Moorhead walked and stole second.  He then advanced to third on a throwing error and then scored on an error by the center fielder.  PS added 3 more runs in the seventh inning to make the score 12-6.  Salinas would triple, followed by a Moorhead walk.  Moorhead stole second, then Nelson doubled to right center to score Salinas and Moorhead.  Nelson stole third and scored after Mazzei walked and drew an errant pick off move.  Kevin Haley would throw 3 1/3 innings in relief for the win, allowing just one hit and striking out eight.  Salinas had 3 hits with a triple to lead the offense.  Nelson was also 2-4 with 4 RBIs. 

Black Squirrels Hold on for 3-1 Win Over Tigers

Portage South Black Squirrels wanted to bounce back after the tough loss to the Aviators against the Akron Tigers.  PS got on the board early with a run in the first.  Josh Salinas singled through the left side of the infield, then Ty Moorhead would double to deep left center to score Salinas.  The Black Squirrels added a run in the top of the fourth inning.  Tyler Mazzei led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Phil Kaderle would hit a ball into the left center gap for a double to score Kaderle.  The Tigers cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom of the fouth, but Portage South would add another run in the fifth to make it 3-1.  Jesse Michel walked and Moorhead followed with a single.  Justin Nelson would walk to load the bases and Matt Dile would hit a sacrifice fly to score Michel.  The game would be called for darkness after 5 innings.  Eric Schaffer would throw all 5 innings for the complete game victory.  Moorhead went 3-3 with a 2B and RBI for the Black Squirrel offense. 

Portage South Loses Tough One Against the Aviators

Portage South had been rained out during the week and had not played since the previous Sunday when they faced the Akron Aviators on Sunday.  PS would score first with a run in the second inning.  Clay Davies doubled to left center, then Phil Kaderle singled to move Davies to third.  Jason Preising singled home Davies for the early lead.  The Aviators came back with 4 runs in the third inning to take the lead, 4-1.  That would remain the score until the Black Squirrels cut the lead to one with a 2-run sixth inning.  Matt Dile singled to left and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Dile would score on a Tyler Mazzei double to left center.  Mazzei advanced to third on a passed ball and was able to score on a sacrifice fly by Kaderle.  The Aviators added 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth, making the score 7-3.  In the seventh, PS scored 2 runs, but came up short and lost 7-5.  Zach Lewis walked, then Lucius Ivory doubled to move Lewis to third.  Josh Salinas would walk to load the bases.  Lewis scored on a fielder's choice by Ty Moorhead and Dile would single home Ivory.  Kevin Haley went 5 innings and allowed 0 earned runs for the tough loss on the mound.  Dile went 3-3 to lead the offense.  Game two was rained out. 

Black Squirrels Sweep Flying Squirrels

Portage South Black Squirrels bounce back after loss with a doubleheader sweep of the Fairlawn Flying Squirrels.  PS strikes first with a run in the second inning.  Matt Dile walked and stole second.  Todd Schromm singled to left and Dile would score.  The Black Squirrels would add 3 runs in the third, opening the lead to 4-0.  Jesse Michel singled to left field and stole second.  Josh Salinas then doubled home Michel.  Salinas advanced to third on a wild pitch, then Ty Moorhead walked and stole second.  Justin Nelson would score Salinas on a groundout and Dile would single home Moorhead to round out the scoring.  Portage South added 4 more runs in the fourth inning.  Jason Preising leadoff the inning with a single and moved to second on a balk.  Phil Kaderle singled and advanced Preising to third.  Lucius Ivory followed with a single to score Preising and move Kaderle to third.  Ivory then stole second and Michel would walk to load the bases.  Salinas brought home Kaderle on a sacrifice fly, then Moorhead was hit by a pitch to load the bases again.  Nelson reached on an error that also scored Ivory.  Michel scored on a Dile sacrifice fly.  Fairlawn cut the lead to 8-2 in the bottom half of the inning, but PS would add 3 additional runs in the top of the fifth to push the lead up to nine.  Schromm and Preising would both walk, then Kaderle reached on a fielder's choice that advanced Schromm to third but Preising would be out at second.  Ivory singled to score Schromm and Michel walked to load the bases.  Kaderle would score on a wild pitch before Mike Haney got a pinch hit single to score Ivory.  Fairlawn added a run in the bottom of the fifth, but it would end 11-3.  Kevin Haley threw a complete game for the win with 8 strikeouts.  Ivory was 3-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs.

In game two, Portage South got 2 runs in the first inning.  Tyler Mazzei singled and stole second base.  Ty Moorhead was hit by a pitch, then both runners advanced on a wild pitch.  Justin Nelson doubled to right center scoring Mazzei and Moorhead.  PS added 2 more runs in the third inning.  Josh Salinas singled and stole second and third.  He would score on a single by Moorhead, then Moorhead stole second.  Mike Haney doubled deep to left to score Moorhead.  The Black Squirrels would break the game open with 3 runs in the fourth and make it 7-0.  Zach Lewis walked, followed by walks to Mazzei and Moorhead to load the bases.  Nelson would single up the middle to plate Lewis and Mazzei.  Phil Kaderle then singled home Moorhead.  Portage South added 2 more runs in the fifth inning.  Lucius Ivory walked and Salinas followed with a single to left, moving Ivory to third.  Mazzei singled to right center, scoring Ivory.  Moorhead goes back up the middle for an RBI single to score Salinas.  PS would win 9-0.  Eric Schaffer threw 5 scoreless innings for the win.  Nelson went 3-4 with 4 RBIs. 

Portage South Win Streak Ends at 11 with Loss to A's

Portage South Black Squirrels had an 11-game winning streak coming into the game with the Akron A's.  PS got on the board early in this one with 4 runs in the top of the first inning.  Josh Salinas doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch.  Ty Moorhead would then walk and steal second base.  Justin Nelson followed with a double to score, both, Salinas and Moorhead.  Nelson would steal second and Jesse Michel then walked.  Michel advanced to second on a balk that also scored Nelson.  Matt Dile hit a single up the middle to move Michel to third.  Tyler Mazzei scored Michel with a sacrifice fly.  The A's scored 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning to cut the lead to one at 4-3.  Akron tied the game in the second with another run, then took the lead with 2 more runs in the fourth inning and now lead the Black Squirrels 6-4.  Portage South added another 4-run frame in the sixth inning to take back the lead at 8-6.  Michel walked and stole second and third.  Dile followed with a walk and advanced to third on a throwing error during a pickoff attempt.  The error scored Michel from third.  Dile then scored on a wild pitch.  Mike Haney singled and Alonzo Spears pinch ran for Haney.  Lucius Ivory walked and Mike Darrah singled to load the bases with 2 outs.  Salinas would single home Spears and Ivory.  The A's added a run in the bottom of the sixth making it 8-7 before PS scored another run in the top of the seventh.  Michel singled to left then stole second base.  He would move to third on a wild pitch and score on an error.  Akron would rally in the bottom of the seventh with 3 runs to win 10-9 and end the Black Squirrel winning streak.  Salinas led the offense with 2 hits and 2 RBIs. 

Portage South Moves to 13-1 with Win Over Outlaws

The Portage South Black Squirrels took on the Canton Outlaws at Sisler Field on Wednesday.  PS jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first.  Tyler Mazzei led off the game with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on a throwing error.  Josh Salinas walked after Mazzei, stole second and third.  Justin Nelson would draw a 1-out walk and steal second, making it runners at second and third.  Mike Haney also reached on a walk to load the bases and Jason Preising singled home Salinas and Nelson.  Kevin Yelinek followed with a single to score Haney and Preising would score on a wild pitch for the team's fifth run.  The Black Squirrels would extend the lead with another run in the third inning.  Nelson singled to lead off the inning and Haney doubled to left to make it runners on second and third.  Preising would drive in Nelson on a RBI groundout.  Portage South added 2 more runs in the fourth, making it 8-0.  Larry McCain singled, followed by a Lucius Ivory sacrifice bunt he reached base on.  Mazzei singled to load the bases and Salinas followed with a sacrifice fly to score McCain.  Nelson singled home Ivory to round out the scoring.  The Outlaws would get one run in the fourth and 2 more in the sixth, but this was as close as they would get.  Salinas threw 5 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out nine, for the victory.  Mazzei had 3 hits to lead the offense for the Black Squirrels.  Todd Schromm singled in the sixth inning for his first PS hit in his first game.

Black Squirrels Take 2 from Fury Baseball

The Portage South Black Squirrels would take on Fury Baseball in a doubleheader at Roosevelt Park on Sunday.  In game one, PS got on the board immediately with 2 runs in the top of the first inning.  Lucius Ivory would double to left center to start the game.  Josh Salinas singled home Ivory to make it 1-0.  Salinas would then steal second and score on a Tyler Mazzei double.  The Black Squirrels added another run in the second, extending the lead to 3-0.  Phil Kaderle singled up the middle to leadoff the inning.  Clay Davies would follow with a double that scored Kaderle.  Portage South opened up the lead in the fourth with a 4-run stanza.  Davies singled with one out, followed by a ground rule double by Lyndon Rainey.  Zach Lewis walked to load the bases and Steve Swiger would score Davies with a RBI fielder's choice.  Swiger then stole second before Ivory singled to center, scoring both Rainey and Swiger.  Ivory stole second and third, then Salinas singled Ivory home.  PS added a run in the fifth to make the score 8-0.  Matt Dile singled and moved to second on the Kaderle walk.  Davies reached on a fielder's choice, advancing Dile to third.  Jason Preising singled home Dile from third.  Fury finally got on the board in the sixth with a 5-run inning to close the gap to 8-5.  The Black Squirrels added an insurance run in the top of the seventh.  Mazzei tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a wild pitch.  Kaderle threw a scoreless seventh to preserve the win, 9-5.  Kevin Haley threw the first 5 innings for the win, striking out 10 and allowing 2 hits.  Ivory led the offense, going 2-2 with a double, 2 RBIs and 3 SBs.

In game two, the Fury was able to score in the first inning for an early lead.  Portage South came right back with a run in the bottom of the inning.  Josh Salinas tripled, but was tagged out on tough luck fielder's choice by Tyler Mazzei.  Mazzei hit a line drive off the pitchers shoulder that bounced to the third baseman and he was able to throw home to get Salinas.  Mazzei would steal second and score on Justin Nelson's single.  That hit was Nelson's 100th in his PS career.  The Black Squirrels broke the 1-1 tie in the fourth inning with a 3-run frame.  Phil Kaderle led off the inning with a single.  Clay Davies followed with a single, moving Kaderle to second.  Jason Preising singled up the middle to score Kaderle with the go-ahead run.  Larry McCain doubled to left center to score Davies and move Preising to third.  Preising would score on the Zach Lewis single.  After allowing the run in the first inning, Eric Schaffer would hold the Fury scoreless over the next 5 innings for the win, striking out 10.  Davies would throw a scoreless seventh for the save.

Portage South Takes Two from the Cleveland Pirates

Cleveland Pirates traveled to Kent for a doubleheader with the Portage South Black Squirrels at Roosevelt Park.  PS grabbed the early lead with 2 runs in the first inning.  Josh Salinas would walk and Jesse Michel followed with a single.  Salinas would score on a wild pitch, moving Michel to second.  Michel would steal third and score on a wild pitch, as well.  The Pirates came back to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the second, but the Black Squirrels opened up the lead with a 7-run frame in the bottom half of the inning.  Phil Kaderle walked with one out, followed by a Jason Preising single.  Lucius Ivory loaded the bases with a bunt single.  A single by Salinas scored Kaderle, then a RBI groundout by Michel scored Preising.  Ty Moorhead would single home Ivory and Salinas scored on a wild pitch.  After a stolen base by Moorhead, Justin Nelson singled to left scoring Moorhead.  Nelson would then steal second and move to third on a wild pitch.  Matt Dile walked and moved to second on a wild pitch that scored Nelson.  Tyler Mazzei was hit by a pitch, then Kaderle followed with a single to score Dile.  Portage South added another run in the fourth inning when Moorhead singled, advanced on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.  With the score 10-2 in the fifth, PS plated 2 more runs to end the game.  Lyndon Rainey was hit by a pitch, then 3 straight walks to Ivory, Salinas and Alonzo Spears scored Rainey.  Ivory would score the final run on a wild pitch.  Kevin Haley went the distance on the mound for the win, allowing 2 unearned runs.  Moorhead and Nelson led the offense with 2 hits, a RBI and a SB.

In game two, PS scored a run in the top of the first inning.  Josh Salinas singled, stole second, moved to third on a Justin Nelson double and scored on a wild pitch.  The Black Squirrels added another run in the third with a solo homerun by Ty Moorhead.  The Pirates cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom half of the inning.  Cleveland Pirates grabbed the lead with a 4-run 4th inning, making it 5-2.  Portage South would respond with a 8-run inning in the fifth.  Moorhead and Nelson would walk, followed by Tyler Mazzei single to score Moorhead.  Phil Kaderle walked to load the bases.  Jason Preising singled home Nelson, then Jesse Michel drove in 2 runs with a single.  Salinas added a 2-run double and scored on a Matt Dile single.  Nelson singled home the final run of the inning.  The Black Squirrels added 2 insurance runs in the sixth inning to make the score 12-5.  Kaderle was hit by a pitch and eventually scored on a passed ball.  Zach Lewis added a pinch hit single and would come around to score on a passed ball as well.  Eric Schaffer threw the first 4 innings for the win and Steve Swiger threw 2 scoreless innings in relief.  Mazzei was 3-4 with a RBI to lead the offense. 

Salinas Throws No-hitter in Win over the Dirtbags

Portage South Black Squirrels would face the North Coast Dirtbags on Wednesday at Old Forge.  PS decided this game very early when they got 13 runs in the first innings.  They were able to do it on 4 hits with 6 walks and 4 hit by pitches.  Ty Moorhead doubled to left center to score Alonzo Spears.  Justin Nelson followed with a 2-run single.  Tyler Mazzei would double to left to score Nelson, then Jason Preising singled home 2 more runs.  In the second inning, the Black Squirrels would add 3 more runs, making the score 16-0.  Spears would single up the middle, followed by a walk to Josh Salinas and Jesse Michel was hit by a pitch.  Moorhead would single to score Spears and Salinas.  Michel scored on a Matt Dile double.  The Dirtbags got on the board with a run in the third inning on no hits.  Portage South added 2 more runs in the fourth.  Moorhead led off the inning with a double.  Nelson followed with a double that moved Moorhead to third.  Dile singled home Moorhead and Nelson was able to score on an error.  Salinas went all 5 innings allowing one run on no hits, striking out 8 batters in his first career start for Portage South.  This was the second no-hitter for PS this season. 

PS Takes Two from the Tallmadge Knights

The Tallmadge Knights came into Roosevelt Park for a doubleheader with the Portage South Black Squirrels on Sunday.  In game one, the Knights took the early lead with a 2-run first inning.  PS would come back to tie it in the bottom half of the inning with a 2 spot of their own.  Jesse Michel doubled to left and scored when Matt Dile reached on a fielding error.  Dile also scored when Justin Nelson reached on a fielding error as well.  Tallmadge Knights would take the lead back with another 2 runs in the second inning.  it would remain 4-2 until the fifth inning when the Black Squirrels would get 4 runs and go up 6-4.  Phil Kaderle singled to start the fifth and move to second after a Tyler Mazzei walk.  Mike Darrah woudl single home Kaderle.  Dile singled to load the bases and Nelson then singled home Mazzei.  Darrah would score on a wild pitch, then Jason Preising was hit by a pitch to re-load the bases.  Kevin Yelinek was also hit by a pitch to score Dile.  PS would hang on for the 6-4 victory.  Kevin Haley went 5 innings on the mound for the win.  Steve Swiger threw a scoreless final two innings for the save.

After a scoreless first inning to start game two, Portage South added 3 runs in the second.  Matt Dile doubled to center, followed by a double to left center by Jason Preising scoring Dile.  Mike Haney then homered to left field, making the score 3-0.  PS really opened up the lead in the 4th with a 6-run frame.  Preising led off the inning with his second double of the game and moved to third on a wild pitch.  Clay Davies walked and Phil Kaderle scored Preising with a sacrifice fly.  Lyndon Rainey was hit by a pitch, then Tyler Mazzei singled to load the bases.  Mike Darrah singled home Davies, then a walk to Jesse Michel plated Rainey.  Justin Nelson singled to left scoring Mazzei.  Darrah would come home when Dile was hit by a pitch.  Preising's single would allow Michel to score and a sacrifice fly by Davies scored Nelson for the sixth run of the inning.  The Knights would get on the board with a run in the fifth inning to make it 10-1, but in the sixth Kevin Haley would walk and score on a Dile double to win 11-1.  Eric Schaffer allowed one run and 5 hits over 6 innings for the win.  Preising was 3-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs.

Portage South Gets Win Over Rays

The Portage South Black Squirrels faced the Akron Rays on a Wednesday at Roosevelt Park.  PS would get on the board first with a run in the first inning.  Jesse Michel walked to lead off the inning and moved to second on a groundout by Tyler Mazzei.  Ty Moorhead singled home Michel for the 1-0 lead.  The Black Squirrels would add a run in each of the next 2 innings, making it 3-0 after 3 innings.  In the second,  Mike Haney doubled to start the inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kevin Yelinek.  Moorhead singled in the third inning, steal second, move to third on a wild pitch and score on a groundout by Justin Nelson.  Portage South broke the game open in the fifth with a 3-run frame.  Yelinek singled and move to third on a double by Mazzei.  Moorhead followed with a walk to load the bases.  Yelinek scored on a sacrifice fly by Nelson.  Matt Dile followed with a single that scored Mazzei and Moorhead.  PS added one more run in the sixth, making it 7-0.  Jason Preising would double and score on a single by Clay Davies.  The Rays would score in the seventh, but the game finished 7-1.  Davies make his first career Portage South start, going 5 innings for the win and allowing only 1 hit.

The Black Squirrels Split Doubleheader with the Gamecocks

The Portage South Black Squirrels would face the Ohio Gamecocks at Old Forge on Saturday in a doubleheader.  In game one, both teams struggled to score with the Gamecocks getting the first run across in the third inning.  It would remain 1-0 until the fifth, the Gamecocks would take advantage of some fielding errors to score 5 runs, making it 6-0 and it would finish with that score.  Josh Salinas would lead the PS offense with a double and a single.

In game two, the Gamecocks would again score first with a home run by Mark Hayhurst in the second inning.  Portage South would get 4 runs in the third inning to take the lead.  Lucius Ivory would walk and steal second base.  Ivory scored on a double by Jesse Michel.  Josh Salinas would then single and move Michel to third.  Ty Moorhead followed with a sacrifice fly to score Michel.  Salinas would move to second on an error and then stole third.  Jacob Caruso doubled home Salinas and would score later in the inning making it 4-1.  The Black Squirrels added a single run in the 4th inning, pushing the lead to 5-1 when Jason Preising reached on an error, was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ivory and scored on a single by Michel.  PS got 2 more runs in the fifth, extending the lead.  Caruso and Justin Nelson would walk consecutively, followed by Tyler Mazzei being hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Preising singled to score Caruso, then Ivory would again walk to score Nelson.  Portage South added 2 more insurance runs in the sixth inning, making the score 9-1.  After Salinas walked and Moorhead reached on an error, Caruso doubled home both runners.  Eric Schaffer went the distance on the mound for the complete game victory, allowing just the one run on 5 hits.  Michel went 3-3 with a double and 2 RBIs to lead the offense.

Haley Opens 2nd Straight Season with a No-Hitter, PS Sweeps DH

The Portage South Black Squirrels opened the 2022 season against the new team, Portage Lakers at Roosevelt Park on Sunday for a doubleheader.  PS would take the early lead with a run in the second inning.  Justin Nelson singled to right, moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored when the throw from the catcher skipped into left field.  In the third, Portage South would add to the lead with 2 more runs.  Matt Dile would lead off the inning with a single and steal second.  Jacob Caruso then singled home Dile and moved to second on the throw.  Nelson would pick up his second single of the day to score Caruso, making it 3-0.  The Black Squirrels opened the lead to 4-0 in the fourth.  Phil Kaderle walked and stole second with one out.  Josh Salinas would double to left center to score Kaderle.  PS put away the game in the fifth with a 6-run inning.  Jesse Michel walked and stole second.  He would move to third on a wild pitch.  Dile would also walk and steal second, making it second and third with one out.  Caruso plated Michel with a sacrifice fly.  Nelson followed with a walk and Tyler Mazzei reached on a dropped third strike.  Dile was able to score on the passed ball that allowed Mazzei to reach.  Zach Lewis would walk to load the bases and Kaderle singled to score Nelson and Mazzei.  Alonzo Spears would pinch hit and single home Lewis and Kaderle to make it 10-0 and win the game.  Kevin Haley went 5 innings on the mound for the win.  Haley would no-hit the Lakers, striking out five.  This was the second straight year Haley opened the season with a no-hitter for Portage South.  It was also Haley's 3rd career no-hitter.

In game two, the Black Squirrels would take the lead early with 2 runs in the top of the second.  Matt Dile would single and Jacob Caruso would follow with a double.  Justin Nelson scored Dile on a RBI groundout to second.  After Tyler Mazzei walked and stole second, Jason Preising singled to score Caruso and move Mazzei to third.  It would remain 2-0 until the sixth when PS was able to push across another run.  Josh Salinas doubled to start the inning and moved to third on a balk.  With 2 outs, Caruso would single to right field and score Salinas.  This is all Portage South would need as 3 pitchers would combine to shutout the Lakers in the second game.  Eric Schaffer went 5 innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out nine for the victory.  Alonzo Spears and Steve Swiger would each throw a scoreless inning in relief.