Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — Green coach Dan McDavid must be a fan of Frank Sinatra’s song, “That’s Life.”

One line in the chorus says, “Each time I find myself flat on my face, I pick myself up and get back in the race.”

After losing 12-0in the opener on Monday, the Bobcats picked themselves up and won the nightcap 4-2 over the Portsmouth Trojans.

“We took one on the chin in the first game, but we showed a lot of heart and came back and fought them and the blustery weather to win. That’s what you do in baseball,” said Green coach Dan McDavid.

Green had just three hits in the opener as Tyler Crace went 1-3 with a double and Caleb Johnson and Trent Marcum were 1-2.

Tanner Poage had a three-run double for Portsmouth. Brandon Wedebrook, Jacob Albrecht, Sky Oliver and Alex Grashel all went 2-3.

In the second game, Rob Applegate pitched a three-hitter for the five-inning win. He struck out eight and walked three.

Matt Howard was 1-2 with a double, Steve Blanton 1-1, Kyle Schwab 1-2 and Clay Applegate and Crace were 1-3 in the win.

The Bobcats (1-1) scored two runs in the first inning.

Clay Applegate singled, stole second base and Crace had an RBI single. Schwab reached on an error as a run scored.

The lead went to 3-0 in the top of the third when Howard double, Blanton put down a sacrifice bunt and Cody Coburn grounded out.

“That was well-executed by our kids,” said McDavid.

The Trojans scored a run in the bottom of the inning but Green got it back in the fourth when Rob Applegate was safe on a two-base error and Schwab singled him home.

Green visits Sciotoville East on Wednesday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

First Game

Green 000 00 = 0 3 4

Portsmouth 501 60 = 12 12 0

Caleb Johnson, Rob Applegate (5) and Matt Howard. Andrew Schwackart and Shoupe. W-Schwackart (K-6, BB-2). L-Johnson (K-3, BB-1, ER-3). 2B-Green: Tyler Crace; Portsmouth: Albrecht, Wedebrook, Poage, Gibson, Grashel. 3B-Portsmouth: Oliver. Hitting-Green: Tyler Crace 1-3, Caleb Johnson 1-2, Trent Marcum 1-2; Portsmouth: Jacob Albrecht 2-3, Shoupe 1-3, Brandon Wedebrook 2-3, Tanner Poage 1-3 3-rbi, Zach Delotell 1-3, Sky Oliver 2-3, Hunter Gibson 1-3, Alex Grashel 2-3.

Second Game

Green 201 10 = 4 5 2

Portsmouth 001 10 = 2 3 2

Rob Applegate and Matt Howard. Grashel and Shoupe. W-Applegate (K-8, BB-3). L-Grashel (K-0, BB-2). 2B-Green: Matt Howard. Hitting-Green: Clay Applegate 1-3, Tyler Crace 1-3, Kyle Schwab 1-2 rbi, Matt Howard 1-2, Steven Blanton 1-1; Portsmouth: Wedebrook 1-3, Delotell 1-3, Gibson 1-1.