Paints Complete Comeback, Beat Kings 7-6 in 10 innings

(Photo by Cory Hall, Chillicothe Paints)

Recap courtesy of the Chillicothe Paints:

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by Adena Health System, tied the game in the ninth and took the lead in the tenth, beating Champion City 7-6 at Carleton Davidson Stadium Tuesday night.

The game started the same as the night before, with Anthony Steele hitting a three-run home run in the first inning, giving Chillicothe (6-6, 27-16) an early 3-0 lead.

Champion City (4-7, 13-27) battled back with a run in the first, and four runs on one hit - a three-run home run by Alex Ryan - in the third, taking the lead 5-3.

Steele collected his fourth RBI of the game on a two-out single in the top of the fifth, cutting the deficit to one at 5-4, but the Kings answered with a run in the bottom half, making it 6-4.

Owen Wilson walked with one out in the top of the seventh. On an infield hit by Kade Wroot, Wilson went to second and then third on the throw to first, drawing a throw to third that bounced away, allowing Wilson to score, bringing it back to a one-run game at 6-5.

In the top of the ninth, Tim Orr pinch hit for Nate Dorinsky, drawing a leadoff walk, advancing to second on a one-out single by Wilson and Brett Carson walked, loading the bases. Kade Wroot hit a deep fly ball to center field, Champion City outfielder Alex Ryan couldn't make the catch with a diving effort, allowing Orr to score from third, tying the game at 6-6, but Wilosn was thrown out at the plate on a relay from Ryan to second baseman Jonah Sutton to catcher Joel Gardner.

In the tenth, Gbur and Mike Sprockett both singled to leadoff the innings, the latter a perfectly-placed bunt attempt. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third for Cameron Bowen, who hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field, scoring Gbur and giving the Paints a 7-6 lead. 

Champion City got the leadoff man on the in the bottom of the tenth on an error and, after a strikeout, a walk made it runners at first and second for the Kings. Cam McAninch, who came in to pitch starting in the ninth, struck out Trey Carter and got Jayson Zmejkoski to flyout to right field, ending the game.

McAninch (1-0) earned his first win of the season after not allowing a run over the final two innings and surrendering just one walk and striking out four. The Paints trio of relied pitcher Todd Bangtson, Seth Evans and McAninch held the King scoreless for the final 5 1/3 innings. 

Chillicothe is off Wednesday, but return to action Thursday, hosting Champion City for a 5:35 p.m. doubleheader at VA Memorial Stadium. Draft beer will be just $2 for Thirsty Thursday.