Paints Power Past Gems to Force Game Three in Championship Series

The Basics
Score: Chillicothe Paints 12, Quincy Gems 0
Records: Chillicothe Paints (44-18, 3-1), Quincy Gems (34-27, 3-1)
Location: VA Memorial Stadium - Chillicothe, Ohio

CHILLICOTHE, OH  – The 2023 Prospect League Championship Series is headed to a winner-take-all game three as the Chillicothe Paints defeated the Quincy Gems 12-0 in 7 innings Saturday night at VA Memorial Stadium.

After the highest-scoring game in Prospect League Playoffs and Championship Series history in game one, the Paints' offense didn't miss a beat scoring 12 runs for the second straight game. However, the Gems' bats went quiet after their 18-run game one as they were shut out in Chillicothe. 

After Gems went down scoreless in the top of the 1st inning, something they only did once in game one, the Paints got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 1st. Tyler Shaneyfelt singled to lead off the game, stole second base, and two-hitter Cameron Bowen singled him in to make the game 1-0.

The floodgates opened for the Paints in the 2nd as they held the Gems scoreless again and exploded for 8 runs on offense. Shaneyfelt started it off with an RBI fielder's choice to score Brayden White, then Bowen doubled to bring home Nate Dorisnky. A close 3-0 game quickly became 8-0 as Victor Figueroa stepped up with the bases loaded and blasted the second Paints' grand slam in two games. The Paints added 2 more on a CJ Dean home run and just like that it was 9-0 after 2 innings.

The Paints knew they needed just a few more and that's exactly what they got in the bottom of the 3rd. Shaneyfelt did it again, hitting a triple to score CJ Carmichael. Then Bowen doubled to score Shaneyfelt and Orr's sacrifice fly scored Bowen. After 3 innings, the game had its 12-0 final score. 

The offense never got started for the Gems and the Paints' offense stopped after 3 innings, but 12 runs was all the Paints needed in the 7-inning run-rule victory. 

While the offense was once again great for the Paints, no one was as good as Paints' starting pitcher Nick Falter. Falter tossed a complete game shutout going all 7 innings, only giving up 1 hit, 2 walks, and striking out 7. He went just 3 batters over the minimum and finished just below the 95-pitch threshold to dominate a Gems' offense that had put up 18 runs just two nights ago. 

The series now stays in Chillicothe for one more as the Gems and Paints will battle in a winner-take-all game three on Sunday night at VA Memorial Stadium. 

Inside The Boxscore 

• Every Paints starter scored a run as Tyler Shaneyfelt lead the way going 2-4 with a triple, 2 runs batted in, and 3 runs scored. Cameron Bowen added a 3-4 night with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored, and 3 runs batted in, and Victor Figueroa went 3-4 with a double, a home run, a run scored, and 4 runs batted in.

• Nick Falter picked up the win for the Paints in the complete game shutout saving a pitching staff that just threw five arms last game.

• For the Gems, Anthony Ribes took the loss going 1.1 innings in the start giving up 5 hits on 5 runs with 2 walks. Jake Schisler went the longest for the Gems on the mound with 3.2 innings but was tagged with 7 runs on 7 hits with 3 walks.

• The Paints recorded 5 walks and only struck out once in the 6 innings at the plate. While the Gems struck out 7 times and recorded 2 walks. 

Notes

• The Paints have scored 12 or more runs in 4 of their last 5 games after scoring 12 runs in both games of the championship series. 

• The Gems were shutout for the first time this season, scoring their least amount of runs since a 13-1 loss to the Pistol Shrimp on July 14.

• The Prospect League Championship Series heads to game three for the third straight season. Two of the past three winners won both games two and three and two of the past three winners were the away team.

• The Paints' last two championships were both won in game three, while the Gems' last championship was won in game three over the Paints in Chillicothe. 

Up Next
The series is now tied 1-1 and the two teams stay in Chillicothe for game three of the Championship Series tomorrow at 6:05 PM (EDT). The 2023 Prospect League Champion will be crowned tomorrow night.