Paints Beat Mill Rats 5-4 Saturday

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by CohenOrthopedic, held on for a 5-4 win over the Johnstown Mill Rats Saturday night at VA Memorial Stadium.

Johnstown (20-26, 8-9) jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs on three hits in the top of the first. Gio Calamia singled to lead off the ballgame, stole second and went to third as the throw to second was off the mark and into centerfield. Joe Alcorn knocked home Calamia, scoring the game's first run. Alcorn scored on a Jeremy Delamota RBI double, making it 2-0.

Chillicothe (31-15, 9-6) answered quickly in the bottom of the first. Cameron Bowen singled to start it off, advancing to second when Cole Kwiatkowski was hit by a pitch. Tim Orr singled up the middle, bringing home Bowen for the first Paints run. With one out, CJ Dean was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Nate Dorinsky, who worked an RBI walk, tying the game at 2-2. Sean Kolenich followed, singling to right field and plating Orr and giving the Paints the lead at 3-2. Jimmy Nugent made it 4-2, driving home Dean on a fielder's choice.

The Paints would add another run in the bottom of the second inning. With runners on the corners and one out, Dean hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Orr and making it 5-2. That's how it stayed until the top of the ninth.

Johnstown's leadoff hitter, Calamia, was walked and Alcorn was hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and second for Austin Baal, who singled to center field, scoring Calamia and cutting it to a 5-3 ballgame. After Matt Santarelli's grounoud moved runners to second and third, Delamota hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Alcorn to make it a one-run game at 5-4. Brad Vargas was hit by a pitch and Lance MacDonald was walked, loading the bases with two outs. Tyson Bryant-Dawson was called out on strikes to end the game.

Colin Bryant (3-2) started and got the win for the Paints, allowing two runs on nine hits over five innings while walking two and striking out two. Tyler Mendez worked two scoreless innings in relief and Scotty Adelman pitched a scoreless eighth. Cole Pauley picked up his seventh save of the season after surrendering two runs on one hit, walking two and hitting two in the ninth, while striking out the last batter of the ballgame.

Johnstown starter Noah Czajkowski (2-2) took the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out three over five innings. Brennan Murphy worked the final three innings without allowing a run on two hits and striking out two.

The Paints improve to 9-4 against the Mill Rats this season with three games left in the season series.

Chillicothe is home again Sunday, hosting the Lafayette Aviators for a doubleheader (two, seven-inning games) beginning at 6:05 p.m. It's a Subway Kids Day, meaning kids 12 & under are admitted free and, after the game, can run the bases and meet Paints players on the field.