Portage South Announces 2024 Team Awards

With the 2024 season completed, the Portage South Black Squirrels announce the annual team awards. The PS MVP was presented to Chad Harper. Harper hit .432 with 32 hits, 28 runs scored, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 1 homerun, 14 runs batted in, and stole 21 bases.  He also threw 18 1/3 innings with a win and 28 strikeouts.  Josh Salinas hit .512 in 2024, which was good enough to earn his 3rd consecutive PS Stan Musial Batting Title. The PS Cy Young was awarded to Jonathan Kountis. Kountis went 5-1, with 67 strikeouts and a 1.30 ERA while throwing 43 innings. PS Golden Glove Award for the Black Squirrels was awarded to Drew Bradley. The final award given out is known as the "Herb".  Lucius Ivory took home the 2024 Herb.

Portage South Advances to Fifth Straight Championship Game

Portage South Black Squirrels would face the Cleveland Pirates in the winner's bracket final of the AA League Tournament on Wednesday night.  The Pirates were able to get on the board first with a 2 run first inning, but Portage South came right back with 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning.  Chad Harper would lead off with a walk and steal second.  He would advance to third on a throwing error by the catcher.  Josh Salinas would score Harper with a deep sacrifice fly to center field.  Ty Moorhead would single and steal second base.  Matt Dile followed with a walk to make it first and second.  Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and Jesse Michel reached on an infield single that scored Moorhead.  Dile would score on a throwing error by the third baseman.  After a scoreless second inning, Cleveland would score 2 more runs to grab the lead back at 4-3.  PS would match then in the bottom of the third with 2 runs to lead 5-4.  Salinas lead off the inning with a double to left and scored on a single by Moorhead.  Dile walked for the second time and Logan Poole would reach on a bunt to load the bases.  Moorhead scored on a double play groundout.  The Black Squirrels would break the game open in the fourth with a 4-run stanza.  Lucius Ivory walked and stole second with one out.  Harper would double home Ivory and Salinas would reach after being hit by a pitch.  Harper and Salinas would move up on a double steal, then Moorhead tripled to center, scoring Harper and Salinas.  Moorhead scored on a RBI groundout by Dile for a 9-4 lead.  The Pirates got another run in the fifth, but PS put up 3 more runs to open the lead to 12-5.  Michel singled to left then steals second and Mike Haney walked as Michel advances to third on a wild pitch.  Steve Swiger pinch runs for Haney and steals second.  Drew Bradley reaches on a fielder's choice that moved Swiger to third and Michel was out trying to score.  Bradley steals second then Ivory walks to load the bases.  Swiger is able to score on a wild pitch, then Salinas doubles home Bradley and Ivory.  Portage South was able to add another run in the sixth to make it 13-5.  Jason Preising singled and advanced to second on a groundout by Haney.  Preising would then advance on a wild pitch to third base.  After a walk by Zach Lewis, Preising was able to score on another wild pitch.  Eric Schaffer went 5 innings on the mound for the win.  Kevin Haley threw 2 scoreless innings of relief for the Black Squirrels.  Moorhead lead the offense, going 3-3 with 3B, 3 runs and 3 RBI.  Salinas added 2 doubles.

Black Squirrels Win Tournament Opener

The 2024 Greater Akron AA tournament began for the Portaga South Black Squirrels facing Steve's Sports at Roosevelt Park on Wednesday night.  After a scoreless first inning, Portage South broke out with a 4-run second inning.  Jesse Michel and Mike Haney would reach on back-to-back singles.  They were moved over by a Jason Preising groundout.  Michel would then score on a wild pitch before Lucius Ivory was walked.  Ivory stole second to make it second and third with Haney when Chad Harper singled back up the middle to score them both.  Josh Salinas followed with a double to deep lefft center that scored Harper for the 4-0 lead.  It would remain that score until Steve's Sports pushed a run across in the sixth inning.  PS got a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh to secure the win.  Kevin Haley went the distance on the mound for the victory, allowing one run and striking out nine.  Harper lead the offense going 2-3 with a 3B and 2 RBI. 

Portage South Beats Akron Irish to Get the Season Split

The Portage South Black Squirrels hosted the Akron Irish at Roosevelt Park on Wednesday night.  Portage South scored first with 3 runs in the second inning.  Jesse Michel singled and Mike Haney reached on an error to make it first and second.  Jason Preising would reach on a fielder's choice with Michel being forced out at third.  Zach Rogers also reached on a fielder's choice with Haney advancing to third and Preising out at second.  Lucius Ivory would reach on an error and advance to second.  Haney and Rogers scored on that error.  Kevin Haley followed with a single to score Ivory and make it 3-0.  The Irish would get 3 runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game, but PS broke the game open with 9 runs in the bottom of the inning.  Preising would double to start the inning and score on a Rogers single.  Ivory was then hit by a pitch and Haley executed a perfect bunt to load the bases.  Ty Moorhead walked with the bases loaded to score Rogers and Matt Dile singled to center to score Ivory.  Logan Poole would single on a line drive to center that would score Josh Simmons, running for Haley, and Moorhead.  Michel singled to reload the bases and Haney lines a ball up the middle to score Dile and Poole.  Ivory tripled to right center to plate Michel and Haney, making the score 12-3.  The Irish added a run in the fifth inning, but in the bottom half the Black Squirrels scored 2 runs for a 14-4 victory.  Moorhead walked and Dile singled to give PS runners at first and second.  Michel would fly out to right, advancing Moorhead to third.  After Dile steals second, Haney singles on a line drive to left scoring Moorhead and Dile.  Poole went the distance for the victory, striking out five.  Haney was 2-4 with 4 RBI.  Dile also added 3 hits for the Portage South offense.

Salinas Walk Off Grand Slam Gives PS the Weekend Split

Portage South Black Squirrels would face Fury Baseball in a doubleheader at Old Forge on Sunday.  In game one, Portage South jumped out to the early lead with 3 runs in the top of the first inning.  Chad Harper lead off with a double and Josh Salinas reached on a fielder's choice.  Matt Dile would then homer to left field for the 3-0 lead.  Fury came right back in the bottom of the first with 3 runs to tie the game.  Fury would take the lead in the third inning with a 5-run outburst and followed that with 4 more runs in the fourth to make it 12-3.  PS got a run back in the fifth inning after Jesse Michel and Jason Preising single to put runners at first and second.  Phil Kaderle would reach on an error that scored Steve Swiger, who was running for Michel.  In the sixth, the Black Squirrels added one more run to make it 12-5, when Harper hit a solo homerun to left field, but that would be the final score.  Michel was 4-4 in the game to lead the offense that out hit the Fury in the loss.  Harper also added a homerun and double.

In game two, the Fury jumped out to the 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Portage South came right back with 2 runs to cut the lead to 3-2 after one.  Ty Moorhead singled to left field and Matt Dile followed with a single.  Drew Bradley would double to center and score both runners.  Each team would add a run in the second inning.  Chad Harper would single to left field and an error by the left fielder allowed Harper to advance to third.  Josh Salinas singled home Harper to make it 4-3.  Fury added a run in the third, but the Black Squirrels would get a run in the fourth to get back within one run.  Harper singled and then stole second.  A groundout by Salinas moved Harper to third and Moorhead's groundout scored him.  In the sixth, the Fury got 4 runs to open a 9-4 lead.  Portage South got a run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 9-5.  Harper reached on an error and stole second.  Salinas followed with a single to right, advancing Harper to third.  Moorhead would drive in Harper with a single to center field.  In the bottom of the seventh and the Black Squirrels down 4 runs, PS got 5 to walk off the win.  Jason Preising led off the inning with a single then Zach Rogers and Kevin Haley would each draw a walk to load the bases.  Harper would then get hit by a pitch to score Preising and keep the bases loaded.  Salinas followed with a walk off grand slam to left field.  Eric Schaffer went the distance on the mound for the win.  Salinas was 3-5 with the HR and 5 RBI.  Harper and Moorhead also had 3 hits each. 

Akron Irish Top Portage South Black Squirrels

The Portage South Black Squirrels traveled to Field High School to face the Akron Irish on Wednesday.  Portage South got on the board right away with a run in the top of the first inning.  Lucius Ivory walked to lead off the game.  Josh Salinas and Ty Moorhead would each follow with a single to load the bases.  Chad Harper would score Ivory on a sacrifice fly to center field, making it 1-0.  PS added to the lead with 3 more runs in the third inning.  Salinas doubled to right field and scored on a single by Moorhead.  Mike Haney singled up the middle, moving Moorhead to second.  Harper would load the bases when an error at second allowed all runners to be safe.  Larry McCain plated Moorhead on a RBI groundout and Zach Rogers followed by reaching on an error that scored Haney.  The Irish got a run in the fourth inning to make the score 4-1 and in the fifth, Akron got 4 runs to take the lead.  In the sixth inning, the Black Squirrels would take the lead back with a 3-run frame.  Kevin Haley singled to right field and Haney followed with a walk to make it first and second.  Ivory moved both runners with a sacrifice bunt.  Haley then scored on a throwing error back to the mound.  Haney advanced to third on a wild pitch and Salinas reach on a walk.  Salinas would then steal second before Moorhead singled up the middle to score both Haney and Salinas to make the score 7-5 PS.  The Irish came right back in the bottom of the inning to score 3 runs and take the lead 8-7.  Portage South loaded the bases in the seventh, but were unable to push a run across.  Moorhead led the offense with 3 hits and 3 RBIs.  Salinas also had 3 hits. 

Portage South Splits Doubleheader with Lakers

Portage South Black Squirrels hosted the Portage Lakes Lakers in a doubleheader at Roosevelt Park on Sunday.  In game one, Portage South got out to the early lead with 2 runs in the the first inning.  Lucius Ivory would be hit by a pitch and advance to second and third on wild pitches.  Matt Dile would then walk to make it first and third.  Jesse Michel followed with a single to left to score Ivory.  After a groundout by Jason Preising advanced both runners to second and third, Josh Simmons singled to center to score Dile.  The Lakers would tie the game in the top of the fourth, but PS would get a run back in the bottom half of the inning to grab the lead again at 3-2.  Zach Rogers led off the inning with a single to center and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lyndon Rainey.  Ivory would triple to score Rogers.  The Black Squirrels added another run in the fifth inning to increase the lead to 4-2.  Dile and Preising would walk and advance on a wild pitch.  Dile was then able to score on a passed ball.  Portage Lakes again tied the game with 2 runs in the sixth inning and then took the lead with 2 more runs in the seventh.  Portage South was unable to score in the bottom of the seventh and lost 6-4.  Chad Harper went 5 innings, allowing just 2 runs and striking out five.  Rogers was 2-3 to lead the PS offense.

In game two, The Lakers were able to get out to the lead early with a run in each of the first 2 innings.  The Black Squirrels cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the third.  Chad Harper would triple to right center field and score on a Mikey Haney III sacrifice fly.  Portage Lakes got 2 more runs in the bottom of third to push the lead to 4-1.  Portage South cut right back into the lead with a 2-run frame in the fifth.  Lyndon Rainey singles to right and Zach Rogers followed with a walk.  Zach Lewis reached on an infield single that scored Rainey.  Harper followed with a single to center to score Rogers.  In the bottom of the sixth, the Lakers added a run to make it 5-3.  Down to their last three outs, PS needed 2 runs to tie and 3 to win.  Haney III was hit by a pitch and Matt Dile reached on a walk.  Jason Preising doubled to center and plated Haney III and Dile to tie the game.  Mike Haney would single to move Preising to third and Josh Simmons singled to center to score him for the go ahead run.  Eric Schaffer threw a scoreless seventh to secure the complete game win on the mound.  Preising was 2-4 with 2 RBI to lead the offense. 

Moorhead’s Clutch Hitting Propels Portage South Black Squirrels To Victory Over Akron A’s

Portage South Black Squirrels Take Both From Eastside Vipers

Logan Poole showed a strong eye at the plate on Sunday, as he walked three times while leading Portage South Black Squirrels to a 15-6 victory over Eastside Vipers.  Eastside Vipers jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning with 3 runs.  Portage South Black Squirrels tied the game in the bottom of the first thanks to a double by Drew Bradley, and a wild pitch.  Portage South Black Squirrels took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. An error scored two runs, to give Portage South Black Squirrels the leg up, 5-3.  Portage South Black Squirrels scored five runs on six hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. An error scored one run, Kevin Yelinek singled, scoring one run, Poole singled, scoring two runs, and Bradley singled, scoring one run.  Portage South Black Squirrels scored five runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lyndon Rainey hit into a fielder's choice to score one run, Mike Darrah doubled, scoring three runs, and Jesse Michel singled, scoring one run.  Kevin Haley earned the win for Portage South Black Squirrels. They allowed seven hits and six runs (five earned) over six innings, striking out 11 and walking four. Chad Harper pitched one inning of scoreless ball for Portage South Black Squirrels in relief, allowing zero hits and striking out three.  Portage South Black Squirrels piled up 12 hits in the game. Darrah and Bradley were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in three runs for Portage South Black Squirrels. Harper and Michel each collected multiple hits for Portage South Black Squirrels. 

In game two, Portage South Black Squirrels won big over Eastside Vipers 9-0 on Sunday.  Portage South Black Squirrels got on the board in the top of the second inning after Josh Simmons doubled, and Logan Poole singled, each scoring one run.  Portage South Black Squirrels added one run in the third after Lyndon Rainey doubled.  Four more Portage South Black Squirrels runs crossed the plate in the seventh inning to extend the lead to 9-0. Mike Darrah hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, and Drew Bradley homered to left field, scoring three runs.  Eric Schaffer earned the win for Portage South Black Squirrels. The righty surrendered four hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out six and walking one.  Portage South Black Squirrels tallied 16 hits in the game.  Chad Harper set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading Portage South Black Squirrels with three hits in five at bats. Mikey Haney III, Mike Darrah, and Jesse Michel each collected multiple hits for Portage South Black Squirrels.

Bradley Puts On Strong Contact Performance As Portage South Black Squirrels Take The Win Over Ohio Gamecocks

Portage South Black Squirrels Victorious Over Akron Tigers

The Black Squirrels Win Big Over the Akron Tigers

Portage South Black Squirrels easily dispatched Akron Tigers on Sunday, 15-1.  Portage South Black Squirrels got on the board in the top of the first inning after Josh Salinas singled, Matt Dile walked, Danny Campfield was struck by a pitch, Drew Bradley walked, Mikey Haney III walked, Phil Kaderle hit into a fielder's choice, and Lucius Ivory doubled, each scoring one run.  Portage South Black Squirrels scored five runs on five hits in the top of the second inning. Dile singled, scoring one run, Bradley singled, scoring one run, Zach Lewis grounded out, scoring one run, and Kaderle doubled, scoring two runs.  Portage South Black Squirrels added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Justin Nelson doubled, Josh Simmons singled, and Haney III hit into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run.  Eric Schaffer earned the win for Portage South Black Squirrels. The right-handed pitcher gave up four hits and one run (zero earned) over five innings, striking out five and walking one.  Portage South Black Squirrels collected 12 hits in the game. Salinas, Simmons, Bradley, and Nelson each collected two hits for Portage South Black Squirrels. 

Portage South Bounces Back with Win Over Outlaws

Portage South Black Squirrels traveled to Jackson High School to take on the Canton Outlaws.  PS started the game strong with a 4-run first inning.  Josh Salinas and Ty Moorhead would, each, reach on an error, followed by a Justin Nelson walk to load the bases.  Matt Dile would score Salinas on a sacrifice fly.  Chad Harper singled to left to score Moorhead and advance Nelson to second.  Nelson and Harper would double steal to make it second and third, then Danny Campfield would single to right and score both runners.  In the third inning, Portage South would plate 5 more runs, increasing the lead to 9-0.  Moorhead and Nelson reached on singles, then a fielder's choice by Dile moved Moorhead to third and Nelson was out at second.  Harper lined a ball to center for a single and score Moorhead.  Campfield would again follow with a single to right that brought home Dile and Harper to third.  Logan Poole walked to load the bases and Mike Haney III would clear the bases with a double to right field.  In the top of the fifth, Dile tripled to right field and a throwing error on the relay went out of play to allow Dile to score, making the score 10-0.  Jonathan Kountis went all 5 innings on the mound, allowing just 3 hits and striking out nine for the win.  Harper and Campfield had 2 hits apiece to lead the Black Squirrel offense.

The Black Squirrels Split Doubleheader, Ends Win Streak at 19 Straight

The Portage South Black Squirrels would face the Fairlawn Flying Squirrels at Roosevelt Park in a doubleheader Sunday morning.  PS is riding an 18-game winning streak dating back to last season.  In game one, the Black Squirrels got on the board in the first inning.  Chad Harper would lead off with a double to left and advance to third on a passed ball.  Lucius Ivory would plate Harper on a ground out for the first run.  Justin Nelson would then single to left with 2 outs.  Nelson moves to second on a wild pitch and then Jesse Michel would walk to make it first and second.  Both would advance on a wild pitch and another wild pitch would score Nelson and Michel to third.  Phil Kaderle would walk and on the first pitch to Drew Bradley, Michel would score on a wild pitch to make the score 3-0 after one inning.  PS would add another run in the second inning.  Zach Lewis, Lyndon Rainey and Harper would all draw walks to load the bases and, after a pitching change, Matt Dile would work a walk to score Lewis.  In the third inning, Kaderle would walk again and Bradley singles to center.  Josh Simmons followed with a single to left that scored Kaderle.  Lewis reached on an infield single and the throw got away from first to score Bradley.  Portage South continued to increase the lead in the fourth inning with another run, making it 7-0.  Dile and Nelson walked, then Michel advanced both runners with a ground out to the right side.  Dile scored on a passed ball.  The Black Squirrels add another run in the fifth.  Bradley doubles to left field to lead off the inning, advances to third on a Simmons ground out and scores on a Lewis single.  Fairlawn got on the board with a run in the bottom of the fifth, making the score 8-1.  PS added one more run in the sixth and won 9-1, to push the win streak to 19.  Dile had reached on his third walk of the game.  Michel would double to left and score Dile.  Jonathan Kountis started on the mound and threw 3 perfect innings, striking out 7.  Kevin Haley threw the last 4 innings for the win and also striking out seven batters.  Lewis led the offense going 2-2 with a RBI.

In game two, Fairlawn would get on the board first with 2 runs in the second inning.  The Flying Squirrels would add to the lead with 2 more runs in the fourth, a run in the fifth and 3 in the sixth for an 8-0 lead.  Portage South finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning with 2 runs, cutting the lead to 8-2.  Lucius Ivory was hit by a pitch and Chad Harper followed with a double that advanced Ivory to third.  Ivory scored on a Matt Dile groundout and Harper was able to score on another groundout by Justin Nelson.  In the seventh, Drew Bradley doubled to left center and advanced to third on a Danny Campfield line drive that was knocked down by the first basemen and tossed to first for the out.  Kevin Haley would score Bradley with a sacrifice fly to right.  The game would end 8-3 and the Black Squirrels win streak ended at 19 in a row.

Portage South Opens Season with 2 Wins

Portage South Black Squirrels open the 2024 season against Steve's Sports for the second year in a row at Roosevelt Park.  In game one, it would start with 2 1/2 scoreless innings.  Portage South would break through with a run in the bottom of the third inning.  Lucius Ivory would walk and steal second.  He would then score on a Logan Poole single to center.  PS added 2 more runs in the fourth, making it 3-0.  Justin Nelson started the inning by walking, followed by a single from Jason Preising.  Phil Kaderle put down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners and a throwing error on the bunt allowed Nelson to score.  Chad Harper singled to left to score Preising.  The Black Squirrels increased the lead to 5 runs with 2 more in the sixth.  Matt Dile walked to lead off the inning.  Mike Haney singled to move Dile to second.  Josh Simmons would then single to right center, scoring Dile and moving Haney to third.  Harper reached on a fielder's choice that plated Haney, making the score 5-0 and that is how it finished.  Kevin Haley went 5 innings, striking out nine, for the win.  Jonathan Kountis threw 2 scoreless innings in relief, striking out four.  Harper was 1-3 with 2 RBI in his PS debut.

In game two, Portage South got on the board in the top of the first inning with 2 runs.  Chad Harper walked and Matt Dile followed with a single.  Both runner advanced to second on a wild pitch before Justin Nelson doubled to right field and scored both runners.  PS added 5 runs in the second to make it 7-0.  Lyndon Rainey reached on a fielder's choice, then Lucius Ivory followed with a single to right.  Harper reached on an infield single to load the bases.  Dile doubled to right center, scoring all 3 runners.  Nelson would reach on an error and Dile would score.  Mike Haney singled to left and advanced on a passed ball.  Nelson would then score on a wild pitch.  Steve's Sports scored a run in the bottom of the second to make it 7-1.  The Black Squirrels added a run in the sixth to push the lead back to seven.  Mikey Haney III walked and come around to score on a triple by Ivory.  Steve's Sports matched with a run in the bottom half of the inning, for a 8-2 score.  Portage South added 3 more runs to put the game away in the seventh.  Harper doubled to right center, then stole third.  Dile doubled to left center to score Harper.  Nelson and Haney would walk to load the bases.  Phil Kaderle would draw a bases loaded walk to score Dile.  Nelson score the final run for PS on a passed ball and the final would be 11-2.  Eric Schaffer went 5 innings, allowing only one run for the win.  Harper threw 2 innings of relief.  Dile went 3-4 with 2 2B, 3 runs and 4 RBI.