2022 Game Recaps

The Black Squirrels Repeat as Champions of the Greater Akron AA League

The Portage South Black Squirrels would face the Ohio Gamecocks for the chance to repeat as AA League Champions at Hudson on Saturday.  PS wasted no time grabbing the lead with 2 runs in the first inning.  Mike Darrah would lead off the inning with a double to left center.  Ty Moorhead would hit a shot back up the middle that the pitcher was able to get a glove to knock down.  The throw got away from the thirdbaseman and allowed Darrah to score and Moorhead to come all the way around to third.  Josh Salinas would follow with a sacrifice fly to left to plate Moorhead.  In the second, the Black Squirrels broke the game open with a 5-run frame to make the score 7-0.  Mike Haney singled up the middle and Lucius Ivory was hit by a pitch.  Darrah singled to load the bases and Moorhead singled to right center to score Haney and Ivory.  Salinas singled just past the thirdbaseman to score Darrah and Moorhead advanced to third.  An errant pickoff attempt allowed Moorhead to score and Salinas advanced to third.  Justin Nelson would score Salinas on a groundout.  The lead for Portage South went to 10-0 in the fourth inning.  Moorhead walked and Salinas followed with a single, then Nelson was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Matt Dile singled to center to score Moorhead and Salinas, but the throw to third got Nelson.  Dile was able to advance to second on throw and was moved to third on a flyout by Jesse Michel to right.  Dile then scored on a passed ball.  The Gamecocks got their first hit with 2 outs in the fifth inning that scored a run, making it 10-1 and that would end up being the final score.  Jonathan Kountis went the distance on the mound for the Championship clinching victory, striking out eight.  Salinas lead the offense, going 2-2 with 2 runs and 2 RBI. 

Portage South Uses Late Rally to Advance to the AA Championship

Portage South Black Squirrels would face the Ohio Gamecocks in the Winner's Bracket final on Wednesday night at the Ballpark at Hudson.  The Gamecocks would jump out to the early lead with a 2-run second inning.  In the third, the Gamecocks would add to the lead with 2 more runs to make it a 4-0 lead.  PS started to chip away at the lead with a run in the fourth inning.  Ty Moorhead would double to deep center, advance to second on a groundout by Josh Salinas and score on a groundout by Justin Nelson.  The Black Squirrels would cut the lead to 4-2 with another run in the fifth inning.  Matt Dile singles to center to lead off the inning.  Jesse Michel followed with a single to left center, advancing Dile to third.  Dile would then score on a groundout by Mike Haney.  Portage South then rallied in the sixth, scoring 4 runs and taking a 6-4 lead.  Nelson doubled to left center and scored on a double by Mike Darrah.  Darrah then traded places with Dile as he doubled to left.  Michel singled to center and moved Dile to third.  Haney followed with a double to left to score Dile and move Michel to third.  Zach Lewis plated Michel with a sacrifice fly for the fourth PS run of the inning.  Kevin Haley went 6 innings on the mound for the win.  Jonathan Kountis threw a scoreless seventh to pick up the save.  The Black Squirrels advance to the Greater Akron AA League Championship on Saturday. 

Portage South Opens Tournament with Victory

Portage South Black Squirrels would host the Portage Lakes Lakers on Friday night to open the Greater Akron AA League Tournament.  The Lakers came out and grabbed the lead with a run in the top of the first inning.  PS would come right back with 3 runs of their own in the bottom half.  Jesse Michel walked and Ty Moorhead followed with a single.  Justin Nelson would triple to left center to score Michel and Moorhead, then Nelson scored on a throwing error.  The Black Squirrels opened up the lead with a 5-run third inning.  Michel was hit by a pitch and Moorhead doubled to give Portage South runners at second and third.  Josh Salinas singled to right to score Michel and move Moorhead to third.  After Salinas stole second, Nelson would double to right center to plate Moorhead and Salinas.  Jason Preising singled to center and moved Nelson to third.  Kevin Haley added a single to left, scoring Nelson and Preising to make the score 8-1.  PS added one more run in the sixth to push the lead to 9-1.  Moorhead reached base on a fielder's choice and Salinas singled to move Moorhead to third.  Moorhead scored on a wild pitch for the ninth run.  Jonathan Kountis went all 7 innings on the mound for the win, allowing just the 1 run and striking out ten.  Nelson was 3-4 with 2B, 3B and 4 RBI.  Portage South will face Nordonia Renegades on Sunday, July 30th at Roosevelt Park.

Portage South Ends the Regular Season with Win

Portage South Black Squirrels traveled to Aurora High School to face Steve's Sports in the regular season finale.  The Black Squirrels got on the board with 3 runs in the first inning.  Lucius Ivory walked and advanced to second immediately as ball four got away from the catcher.  Ty Moorhead woud then triple to right, scoring Ivory.  Moorhead was able to score on a wild pitch.  Justin Nelson walked and was moved to second on a groundout by Matt Dile.  Jesse Michel plated Nelson with a single to right to make it 3-0.  In the third inning, PS added another run to make the score 4-0.  Josh Salinas tripled to right center and scored on a single by Nelson.  Portage South would add again to the lead in the fifth with one more run.  Nelson walked and stole second and Dile followed with a single to right.  Kevin Haley carried a perfect game into the 5th inning when a 2-out single to center ended his bid.  Haley would finish the 5-0 shutout, allowing 1 hit over seven innings.  Moorhead was 2-4 with a 2B and 3B to lead the offense.  Portage South is headed to the Greater Akron AA Tournament next week.

The Black Squirrels Edge the Irish in 8 Innings

The Portage South Black Squirrels faced the Akron Irish on Tuesday night at Old Forge.  It was a pitchers duel and the game was scoreless until the fourth inning, when PS was able to break through with a run in the frame.  Justin Nelson lead off the inning with a double to left center.  Matt Dile would advance Nelson to third with a groundout to second base.  Jesse Michel plated Nelson with a sacrifice fly to center.  Akron Irish was able to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth when they got a single, moved the runner with a sac bunt, then advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a single.  The game would go extra innings and in the top of the 8th inning, Mike Darrah would walk and advance to second on a balk.  Ty Moorhead moved Darrah to third with a groundout and Josh Salinas followed with a single to left center to score Darrah and take the 2-1 lead.  Logan Poole went 4 scoreless innings in his first start for Portage South, striking out five.  Salinas pick up the victory in relief.  He also lead the offense with 2 hits, 2B and RBI.

PS Makes it 10 in a Row with DH Win over Akron Tigers

The Portage South Black Squirrels host the Akron Tigers at Roosevelt Park in the final doubleheader of the regular season.  Game was scoreless through the first 2 innings, then PS broke the 0-0 tie with a run in the third.  Lucius Ivory singled to left with 2 outs, stole second and third, then scored on a throwing error.  The Tigers came right back with a run in the bottom of the third.  Portage South jumped out to a big lead in the fourth with a 5-run frame, making it 6-1.  Jesse Michel walked to start the inning.  Mike Haney followed with a single past the thirdbasemen.  Logan Poole singled to right to load the bases.  Michel would score on a wild pitch before Drew Bradley doubled to center, scoring Haney and Poole.  Ivory singled to score Bradley and after Matt Dile was hit by a pitch, Josh Salinas singled to center to plate Ivory.  In the fifth, the Black Squirrels would score 10 runs and put the game away, with Haney adding a 2-run homerun to make the score 16-1.  Kevin Haley went the distance on the mound for the win, allowing just 2 hits.  Ivory was 3-4 with 3 runs and 2 RBI to lead the offense.  Haney added a 2-3 day with a HR, 3 runs and 2 RBI.

In game 2, the Tigers scored first with a homerun in the first inning.  Portage South came back with 2 runs in the second inning.  Mike Haney and Logan Poole would, both, walk and advance to second and third on a wild pitch.  Zach Lewis scored Haney with a sacrifice fly to right.  Mikey Haney III would walk, then Mike Darrah would advance both runners with a ground out.  Poole would then score on a wild pitch.  Akron came right back with 2 runs in the top of the third inning, taking the lead back at 3-2.  PS would grab the lead for good with a 3-run bottom half of the inning.  Ty Moorhead singled to center and beat the throw at second on a fielder's choice by Haney.  Moorhead advanced to third as the throw at second got away.  Poole would reach on a fielder's choice that scored Moorhead.  Haney III was hit by a pitch to make it first and second before Darrah doubled to left scoring both runners.  The Black Squirrels added a 5-run fourth inning to increase the lead to 10-3.  Justin Nelson and Moorhead reached on a back-to-back singles.  Haney would follow with a single to load the bases, the Poole would score Nelson with a sacrifice fly.  Zach Lewis plated Moorhead with a RBI groundout.  Haney III walked and Darrah was hit by a pitch to load the bases again.  Matt Dile doubled to center, scoring all 3 runners.  In the fifth, Josh Salinas lead off with a walk and Nelson followed with another walk.  Moorhead singled to score Salinas.  After Nelson and Moorhead moved up on a wild pitch, Poole singled to right scoring both runners and PS would win 13-3.  Eric Schaffer went the distance on the mound for the win.  Moorhead went 3-4 with 3 runs and a RBI.  Dile was 2-2 with a 2B, SB, 3 RBI and was hit by pitch for the 8th time on the season to lead the league. 

Portage South Offense Explodes in DH Win

Portage South Black Squirrels would host the Fairlawn Flying Squirrels at Roosevelt Park on Sunday.  In game one, PS would score first with 2 runs in the first inning.  Lucius Ivory was hit by a pitch and advance to second and third on wild pitches.  Ivory would score on a wild pitch for ball four to Josh Salinas.  After Salinas was out trying to advance, Justin Nelson would single.  Jesse Michel followed with a double to move Nelson to third.  Nelson scored on a wild pitch.  The Black Squirrels added another run in the second inning.  Ivory was hit by a pitch for the second time in as many at bats.  He would move to second on a wild pitch and steal third.  Logan Poole walked to make it first and third, then Salinas singled to left to score Ivory.  Portage South blew the game open in the third inning with a 8-run frame, pushing the score to 11-0.  Mike Haney and Kevin Haley, both went 2-2 in the inning with 2 singles.  Salinas had a 2-run triple and Michel plated 2 runs with a double in the inning.  PS added 4 more runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it 15-0.  Haley went all 5 innings on the mound for the complete game win. allowing just 3 hits.  Haney was 3-3 with 2 runs and 2 RBI to lead the offense.

In game two, Portage South bats stayed hot.  The Black Squirrels posted 5 runs in the third inning.  Logan Poole and Ty Moorhead walked to start the inning.  Josh Salinas moved both runners up with a ground out to the right side, then Justin Nelson singled to score Poole and Moorhead.  Nelson would steal second and be driven home by a Jesse Michel single.  Mike Haney followed with a single and move Michel to second.  Michel would steal third before Zach Lewis would bring him home on a fielder's choice.  Fairlawn got on the board in the bottom of the inning with a run, to cut the lead to 5-1.  Portage South came right back with 3 runs in the fourth inning.  Poole lead off the inning with a single up the middle, advance to second on a wild pitch and steal third base.  Moorhead would score Poole with a sacrifice fly to left field.  Nelson reached on a walk with 2 outs, then Michel doubled to right center, moving Nelson to third.  Nelson would score on a wild pitch.  Haney singled to left scoring Michel to make the score 8-1.  The Flying Squirrels added another run in the bottom of the fourth to pull within six at 8-2.  In the fifth inning, the Black Squirrels added 2 runs.  Moorhead walked and scored on the Salinas triple.  Salinas then was plated by a Nelson single.  PS tacked on 3 more runs in the sixth to make the score 13-2.  Lyndon Rainey was hit by a pitch, followed by a Kevin Haley and Lewis walk to load the bases.  Rainey scored on a groundout by Larry McCain.  After a Poole walk, Moorhead doubled to left, scoring Haley and Poole.  Eric Schaffer went the distance on the mound for his fifth victory of the season.  Haney was again 3-3 with a RBI, making him 6-6 on the day with 3 RBI.

Portage South Holds Off Irish for Victory

Portage South Black Squirrels faced the Akron Irish at Old Forge on Thursday night.  After a scoreless first inning, the Irish got on the board with 2 runs in the second.  PS would answer with 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning.  Ty Moorhead would single to lead off the inning.  Jesse Michel followed with another single.  After Kevin Yelinek walked to load the bases, Zach Lewis singled to right center to score Moorhead.  Lucius Ivory drew a bases loaded walk, scoring Michel for the second run.  Matt Dile brought home the third run of the inning with a sacrifice fly that plated Yelinek.  The Black Squirrels added 2 more runs in the third inning to make it 5-2.  Justin Nelson singled and was followed by another single by Moorhead.  Kevin Haley walked to load the bases before Yelinek singled down the third base line to score Nelson and Moorhead.  Akron would get wtihin 1 run in the sixth inning at 5-4, but Portage South answered again with 2 runs in the bottom half to push the lead back to three at 7-4.  Ivory and Nelson walked, then Moorhead would triple past a diving centerfielder to score both runners.  Josh Salinas threw a scoreless 7th inning to shut the door on the Irish and pick up the save for PS.  Jonathan Kountis threw 6 innings for the victory, allowing just 4 hits and striking out 10 batters.  Moorhead lead the offense with 3 hits, 3B, 2 runs and 2 RBI. 

Portage South Moves to 9-2 with Win Over Renegades

Portage South Black Squirrels hosted Nordonia Renegades on Thursday night at Roosevelt Park.  PS was able to get a run across in the first inning for the early lead.  Josh Salinas would walk and Justin Nelson followed with a single to left on a hit and run to score Salinas from first.  The Black Squirrels would add another run in the third inning.  Matt Dile walked to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ty Moorhead.  Nelson would walk and Jesse Michel singled to left center to score Dile.  The Renegades got a run in the fourth to cut the lead in half, but Portage South came right back with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning, to go up 4-1.  Mike Darrah walked with 2 outs and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Dile would reach on an infield single, scoring Darrah, and advanced to second on a throwing error.  Moorhead would single to left center to score Dile.  PS added an insurance run in the fifth when Salinas walked and stole second, then Mike Haney doubled to deep right center to score Salinas.  Nordonia closed lead to 5-3 with a 2 run sixth, but the Black Squirrels answered again with a run in the bottom of the sixth.  Moorhead singled up the middle, advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a throwing error.  Nelson would reach on an infield single that scored Moorhead.  The Renegades added a run in the seventh, but PS would hold on for the 6-4 win.  Jonathan Kountis went 4 innings on the mound for the win, striking out seven.  Salinas threw the last 3 in relief for the save.  Nelson was 2-3 with 2 RBI to lead the offense.  Moorhead also went 2-3.

Portage South Splits with Ohio Gamecocks

Portage South Black Squirrels faced the Ohio Gamecocks in a doubleheader Sunday at Roosevelt Park.  In the first game, PS came out swinging with a 6-run first inning.  Lucius Ivory lead off the inning with a walk.  Matt Dile followed with a single to left center, then Josh Salinas singled up the middle to score Ivory.  Justin Nelson would reach on a fielder's choice, making it first and third.  Jesse Michel would then double to right center, scoring Dile and Nelson.  Phil Kaderle walked and Jason Preising reached on an error to load the bases with 2 outs.  Kevin Yelinek double to left center, clearing the bases for a 6-0 lead.  That would remain the score until the fifth, when Portage South would add one more run.  Drew Bradley singled down the third base line and advanced to second on a throwing error.  Kaderle would walk before Preising singled to right, scoring Bradley.  Jonathan Kountis was perfect through 4 2/3 and threw 5 innings for the win, striking out seven.  Salinas pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief to secure the shutout.  He was also 3-4 to lead the offense.

In game two, the Gamecocks scored first with a run in the bottom of the first inning and added 2 more in the second inning to grab the 3-0 lead.  The Black Squirrels got a run back in the top of the third inning after Lucius Ivory walk, stole second and advanced to third and home on wild pitches.  Ohio Gamecocks answered with a run in the bottom of the third, pushing the lead back to 3 at 4-1.  Jonathan Kountis would pinch hit in the 7th inning and double to right center.  Zach Lewis re-entered to run for Kountis and scored on Ivory's single.  Josh Salinas would double down the left field line and PS had the tying run at second with 2 outs.  Justin Nelson hit the ball back up the middle with what looked like a base hit, but the Gamecocks shortstop slid behind the bag at second and made the play to end the game.  Eric Schaffer threw a complete game in the loss, striking out six.  Salinas added 2 more hits and 2 walks for the the Black Squirrel offense.

The Black Squirrels Top the Portage Lakes Lakers

Portage South Black Squirrels traveled to Logan Park to take on the Portage Lakes Lakers.  Portage South got off to a hot start with the bats.  Tyler Mazzei lead off with a single, followed by a Ty Moorhead single.  Josh Salinas would then double to score Mazzei.  Justin Nelson's single brought home Moorhead to make it 2-0.  Matt Dile would plate Salinas with a sacrifice fly and Jesse Michel singled to make it first and third.  Mikey Haney III would single home Nelson, bring the score to 4-0.  The Lakes got a run in the top of the third inning, but PS would answer with a run nin the bottom half of the inning.  Salinas hit a triple to lead off the inning and scored on a Nelson sacrifice fly.  The Black Squirrels added 4 runs in the fourth inning, pushing the lead to 9-1.  Lucius Ivory was hit by a pitch and stole second.  Mazzei folloed with a walk, then Moorhead singled to score Ivory.  Mazzei would score on a wild pitch, then Salinas singled home Moorhead.  Salinas would score on another wild pitch.  Portage Lakes got back in the game in teh fifth with a 3-run frame, then scored another run in the sixth, making it 9-5.  Portage South tacked on 2 insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead back kout to 11-5.  Moorhead walked and Salinas followed with a ground rule double.  Dile walked to load the bases before Michel doubled home Moorhead and Salinas.  The Lakers added one more run in the seventh, but fell short 11-6.  Eric Schaffer went the first 3 innings on the mound for the win.  Salinas was 4-4 with 2 2B, 3B, 4 runs and 2 RBIs to lead the offense.

Black Squirrels Sweep Doubleheader with Akron Rays

Portage South met the Akron Rays on Sunday at Firestone High School for a doubleheader.  In the first game, scored 3 runs in the top of the first.  Kevin Haley was hit by a pitch and moved the second on a wild pitch.  Josh Salinas followed with a single to left that scored Haley.  Salinas advanced to second on the throw and stole second before scoring on a Matt Dile single.  Mike Haney walked to make it first and second with 1 out.  Jason Preising would reach on a fielder's choice with the ball being thrown away at second, allowing Dile to score from third.  PS kept the bats hot with 4 more runs in the second inning for a 7-0 lead.  Steve Swiger singled to lead off the inning, followed by a Jesse Michel single.  Haley then reached on a bunt single to load the bases for Salinas.  He would single home Swiger.  Michel scored on a sacrifice fly by Dile.  Preising walked to load the bases and Lyndon Rainey singled to right, scoring Haley and Salinas.  The Rays would score a run in the bottom of the second and 4 runs in the third to pull within two at 7-5.  Portage South added 2 runs in the fourth inning.  Three straight walks to Dile, Haney and Preising would load the bases.  Dile scored when Zach Lewis was hit by a pitch, then Haney scored on a balk.  The Black Squirrels put the game away with 7 runs in the sixth to make it 16-5.  Lewis, Swiger and Michel were all hit by a pitch to load the bases, then Larry McCain scored Lewis on sacrifice fly to deep center.  Salinas walked to load the bases again and Dile was hit by a pitch to score Swiger.  Michel scored on a Haney walk.  Preising singled to left to score Salinas and Dile scored on a Rainey walk.  Then Mikey Haney III made his PS debut with an RBI fielder's choice to drive home his father from third.  Akron would add another run in the bottom of the sixth to finish the game 16-6.  Kevin Haley went all 6 innings on the mound for the victory.  Dile was 2-2 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs to lead the offense.

In game two, Akron Rays would score first with 2 runs in the top of the second inning.  Portage South came right back with 5 runs in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-2.  Mikey Haney III would reach after being hit by a pitch and move to second on a Lyndon Rainey walk.  A pickoff attempt at second was thrown into center field and Haney III was able to score from second.  Jesse Michel and Matt Dile would receive back-to-back walks to load the bases and Josh Salinas cleared them with a grand slam to right field.  the Rays added another run in the third to pull to 5-3.  Tyler Mazzei would reach on a bunt single in the bottom of the third and move to second on a wild pitch.  Haney III doubled to right scoring Mazzei, making the score 6-3.  Akron again came back with a run in the fourth inning to stay within 2 runs.  PS would again answer with 2 more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to make the score 8-4.  Michel walked, followed by a Dile single then a Mike Haney walk to load the bases.  Jason Preising would single up the middle to score Michel and Dile.  Salinas went 4 innings on the mound for the win.  Steve Swiger threw a scoreless inning in relief.

A Late Salinas Homerun Propelled the Black Squirrels to Victory

The Portage South Black Squirrels would travel to Logan Park on Wednesday night to take on the Cleveland Pirates.  PS would score in the top of the first inning to grab the early lead.  Mike Darrah would double to right center, then Matt Dile singled to move Darrah to third.  Josh Salinas would hit into a fielder's choice that score Darrah.  The Pirates came right back with a run in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game.  Cleveland would add another run in the second inning to take the lead 2-1.  With 2 more runs in the fourth inning, the Pirates now opened up a 4-1 lead.  Portage South would come back in the top of the fifth inning with a 4-run frame and take back the lead 5-4.  Lucius Ivory would walk and steal second.  Dile would double to right center and score Ivory.  Salinas followed with a single that scored Dile, then Justin Nelson doubled to right field to plate Salinas.  Nelson advanced to third on the throw and would score on a ground out by Ty Moorhead.  Cleveland would score a run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 5-5.  In the top of the seventh inning, Salinas would hit a homerun to left center field to take the lead.  Nelson would reach on an error and score on a Tyler Mazzei single for an insurance run, making the score 7-5.  The Pirates were held scoreless in the bottom of the inning and Portage South held on for the victory.  Jonathan Kountis went the first 4 innings on the mound, allowing 5 hits and striking out eight.  Salinas came in for 3 innings of relief and the victory, allowing one run on three hits and also striking out eight batters.  Salinas also led the offense with 2 hits, 2 runs, HR and 3 RBI.