By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PORTSMOUTH — Losing a tough league game on Monday to Portsmouth Notre Dame in a battle for first place in the Southern Ohio Conference was a cause for concern to Green coach Dan McDavid.

But the Bobcats managed to shake off any ill effects as they beat the Portsmouth Trojans 7-5 on Tuesday.

“It was a hard-fought victory. We showed some character coming back from a tough league loss (Monday) night,” said McDavid.

Green (11-5) used some solid pitching by Caleb Johnson and some clutch hitting to beat the Trojans.

Johnson struck out 11, walked two and hit a batter as he gave up six hits in going the distance.

Colton Brammer swung the big bat going 3-4 with a double and three runs batted in for Green. Adam Riffitt was 2-3 with two RBI and Rob Applegate 1-1 with a double and three walks.

Green took a 1-0 lead in the first when Applegate walked with two outs, Brammer reached on an error and Cody Bruce singled.

The lead went to 3-0 in the third when Applegate walked, Brammer had an RBI single, Steve Ratcliff singled and Riffitt’s base hit drove in a run.

Portsmouth (2-11) took the lead by scoring all its runs in the fourth inning.

Jacob Albrecht led off with a double and Len Collins doubled him home. Tanner Poage reached on an error as a run scored, Alex Grashel was hit by a pitch and a passed ball scored a run. Hunter Gibson was safe on an error for a run and Albrecht singled in a run to cap the rally.

But Green came right back with three runs in the fifth.

Applegate doubled to lead off the inning and Brammer promptly singled him home. Bruce was safe on an error and Ratcliff bunted trying to squeeze in the run.

Brammer was caught in a rundown but managed to score and Riffitt followed with an RBI single and it was 6-5.

The Bobcats added an insurance run in the sixth when Mike Avery singled, Clay Applegate put down a sacrifice bunt, Rob Applegate walked and Brammer had another RBI single.

The Bobcats play at Northwest on Thursday.

Green 102 031 0 = 7 10 2

Portsmouth 000 500 0 = 5 6 3

Caleb Johnson and Matt Howard. Andrew Shackart, Brandon Wedebrook (5) and Tanner Poage. W-Johnson (K-11, BB-2, HBP-1). L-Wedebrook. 2B-Green: Rob Applegate, Colton Brammer; Portsmouth: Len Collins. Hitting-Green: Mike Avery 1-5, Rob Applegate 1-1 3-bb, Colton Brammer 3-4 3-rbi, Cody Bruce 1-3 rbi, Steve Ratcliff 1-3, Adam Riffitt 2-3 2-rbi, Caleb Johnson 1-3; Portsmouth: Jacob Albrecht 2-4, Len Collins 2-4, Tanner Poage 1-3, Alex Grashel 1-4.