Black Squirrel Offense Struggles in Loss to Pirates
Portage South Black Squirrels tried to bounce back after a loss in the opener when they took
on the Cleveland Pirates at Roosevelt Park Wednesday night. The Pirates took the early lead with a run in the bottom
of the first inning. PS would tie the game in the top of the fourth with a run to make is 1-1. Justin
Nelson reached on an error and advanced to second on a wild pitch, then to third on an throwing error on a pickoff
attempt. Jesse Michel would walk to make it first and third. Ryan Schromm would
score Nelson on a groundout. The Pirates came right back in the bottom of the fourth to regain the lead with a 3-run
stanza. The Black Squirrels would load the bases in the fifth with 1 out, but a double play erased the threat.
Again in the seventh, Portage South would threaten with 2 men on, but could not get another run across for a final of 4-1.
Jonathan Kountis threw a complete game in the loss, striking out 11 batters. Ryan Kitay
was 2-3 with a walk to lead the offense.
Portage South Drops Opener to the Vipers
The Portage South Black Squirrels opened the 30th season in franchise history with the Eastside
Vipers on Sunday at Roosevelt Park. In game one, the Vipers took the lead with a run in the second inning. Eastside
would add to the lead with 2 more runs in the fifth to open a 3-0 lead. Portage South would get a run in the bottom
half of the inning to cut it to 3-1. Ryan Kitay was hit by a pitch and Justin Nelson
followed with a single to make it first and second with no outs. After a double play moved Kitay to third, Logan
Poole singled to right to plate Kitay. The Vipers added another run in the sixth for a 4-1 lead. PS would
threaten in the bottom of the seventh, but only get one run to make the final score 4-2. Kitay was hit by a pitch for
the second time and Jesse Michel reached on an error. Poole would walk, loading the bases with one
out. Jason Preising scored Kitay on a fielder's choice, but that was as close as it would get.
Kevin Haley threw 5 innings, allowing just one earned run and recording his 700th career
strikeout. Nelson, Preising and Poole each recorded a hit for the Black Squirrel offense. Game two was postponed
because of weather.
