Paints Take Big Lead, Hang On For 7-6 Win Over Lafayette

(Sebastian Escobar delivers a pitch early in Sunday's game. Photo by Cory Hall)

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by Adena Health System, scored early and then had to fend off an aggressive rally from the Lafayette Aviators, taking a 7-6 victory Sunday night at VA Memorial Stadium.

Lafayette (14-16) got on the board in the top of the first on a two-out, solo home run to left field by Brandon Daniels.

The Paints (21-10) would take the lead in the bottom of the second. A Connor Ashby double plated Anthony Steele, getting Chillicothe on the board. An RBI groundout to second by Santrel Farmer scored Nate Dorinsky, giving the Paints an early 2-1 lead. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Chillicothe would add to the lead with a Jeron Williams RBI single, scoring Ashby. A well-executed double steal followed, allowng Owen Wilson to score from third on the throw to second, making it 4-1. Then, following a Brett Carson walk, Kade Wroot slashed a single to center field, scoring Williams and extending the Paints' lead to 5-1.

In the fifth inning, The Paints would tack on another run with an RBI infield single from Wilson that scored Ashby. Another RBI single from Williams followed, this time scoring Hunter Klotz, growing the Paints' lead to 7-1.

Chillicothe starter Sebastian Escobar (2-0) would leave the game after five innings of work, allowing one run and striking out seven. Nick Lallathin was his replacement from the bullpen, tossing a perfect sixth.

Dawson Gabe pitched the seventh, Cruz McFadden started the eighth and Evan Wolf threw the final 1 2/3 innings, all the while Lafayette closed the gap to one run at 7-6, scoring five times across the seventh and eighth innings on eight hits.

The Aviators go the leadoff man on in the ninth, but Wolf shut the door, closing the fourth-consecutive win for the Paints.

With the win, Chillicothe sets a new high-water mark on the season at 11 games over .500 at 21-10.

The Paints are off July 4, they return to action Tuesday, July 5, hosting the Champion City Kings at VA Memorial Stadium at 7:05 p.m. The first 500 fans will receive a free Paints keychain, courtesy of the Chillicothe Paints Booster Club.