Kolenich Drives in Five, Paints Route Rockabillys 12-3

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by CohenOrthopedic, erased a 3-0 deficit Wednesday night at VA Memorial Stadium, beating the Jackson Rockabillys 12-3 in the first-ever meeting of the two teams.

Jackson (15-33, 4-15) jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a run in the top of the first and a two-run home run by Michael Bell in the top of the third, but the Rockabillys wouldn't score again the rest of the night.

Chillicothe (34-16, 12-7) got on the board in the bottom of the third, scoring on an inside-the-park home run by Sammy Stoner. He hit a sinking line drive that snuck under an outstretched glove of Jackson's center fielder while he was sprinting straight in. The Paints made in a one-run game later in the inning, scoring on a two-out, RBI single by Mason Eckelman.

With a runner on and two outs in the bottom of the fifth, CJ Dean reached on a flare to left center that dropped between three Rockabillys, allowing the inning to continue. Sean Kolenich hit the next pitch through the infield, scoring Tim Orr and tying the game 3-3.

Stoner reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the sixth, later scoring on ground-ball double play hit into by Cole Kwiatkowski, making it 4-3 Chillicothe.

In the bottom of the seventh, Eckelman walked and Dean reached with a single. Kolenich then doubled, scoring both runners. Kolenich later scored on an RBI groundout by Stoner, extending the Paints lead to 7-3.

The Paints blew it open in the bottom of the eighth with five more. Kwiatkowski reached on a fielder's choice, advancing to second and third on a pair of wild pitches. Orr walked, putting runners on the corners with one out. Eckelman singled, knicking home Kwiatkowski for the first of the inning. Dean doubled, scoring Orr. Kolenich plated two more on a single, giving him five RBIs on the night. Kolenich scored on a sacrifice fly from Stoner, giving him his third RBI on the night and the Paints a 12-3 lead.

Nate Ginsburg started for the Paints, getting a "no decision" after allowing a run on a pair of hits, while walking four and hitting one over 1 2/3 innings. Bryson Brown worked the next 3 1/3 innings, surrendering two runs on three hits. Mikey Olivieri (3-0) grabbed the win, holding Jackson scoreless and hitless over three innings of work. Cole Pauley struck out two batters in the ninth and allowed one hit.

JD Klug (0-1) took the loss for Jackson, allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits and two walks.

Seven of the nine Paints in the batting lineup collected at least one hit, with all nine reaching base at least once. Dean ended up 4-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Kolenich picked up three hits on the night, driving in five and scoring twice. Tyler Shaneyfelt, Kwiatkowski and Eckelman each had two hits, while Stoner had one, an inside-the-park home run, and three RBIs. 

The Paints host the Rockabillys again Thursday night at VA Memorial Stadium. The first 500 fans will receive a 2023 team photo, courtesy of Mears Photography. It's also a Thirsty Thursday, with $2 draft beer. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.