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Steam Drop Xenia XENIA, Ohio—The Cincinnati Steam docked in Xenia for a match up against the Scouts, who are 5-6 on the season. The Steam looked to continue the excellent starting pitching and tough play to carry over from the game on Wednesday night against the Hamilton Joes. After a one hour rain delay the first pitch came at 8:10 p.m. and the Steam started with the bases loaded and no one out in the first when Brad Gschwind (Miami) started the scoring with a base hit to center. This was later followed by a two RBI hit by Bobby Freking (Xavier), which drove in two more runs. This is the third consecutive game that the Steam scored in the first inning, dating back to Tuesday game on June 23 against Grand Lake. The Xenia pitcher came back strong with the final two outs being strikeouts. Pitcher Mike Jefferson (Louisiana Tech) continues the Steam starting pitching performance with a strong first inning retiring the first three batters. The Xenia pitcher Tommy George threw a strong second inning only giving up a hit-by-pitch to Drew Schmidt (Xavier), but other than that he retired the other three batters. After giving up a lead off base hit to Robby Kuzdale he settled down and retired the next three batters. In the third inning, Kyle Bluestein (Jacksonville State) struck out and Brad Gschwind (Miami) grounded out to third. Bobby Freking (Xavier) was hit by pitch, T.J. Jones (Cincinnati) had a base hit and Trace Voshell (Ohio) walked to force the bases loaded for Tim Issler (Ball State). Unfortunately, Tim struck out to end the inning. Jefferson (Louisiana Tech) retired the first two batters, but forced the bases loaded with two walks and a hit batsman. Jefferson (Louisiana Tech) retired the side by forcing a ground ball to Gcshwind (Miami) who flipped it to Schmidt (Xavier) to end the inning and the scoring threat for the Scouts. The fourth inning looked promising for the Steam with a lead off base hit to the third basemen by Ryan Strausborger (Indiana State), but he was caught stealing second, then Tommy George retired Drew Schmidt (Xavier) and Jon Edgington (Miami) to end the inning. Mike Jefferson (Louisiana Tech) found the groove again by retiring the three batters in the inning. Due to the rain delayed start was given a break and was finished for the game. Mike Jefferson (Louisiana Tech) finished the game with 4.0 shutout innings pitched, three strikeouts, three walks, and allowed only one hit. This is the third consecutive start by a Steam pitcher to shutout the opponent. Jefferson was pulled before five, although with the predetermined rule he is still eligible for the win in this game. Josh Keehan (Kentucky Wesleyan) did not allow a hit in the fifth, which continued the shutout performance by the Steam bullpen. In the sixth inning the Steam were unable to get on base and were retired for a one, two, three innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Keehan (Kentucky Wesleyan) let up a lead off hit followed by a homerun to Robby Kuzdale. This homerun was the first run given up by the Steam bullpen since the Tuesday night game against Grand Lake. Keehan allowed another base hit to Harman Watkins, who stole second. Keehan (Kentucky Wesleyan) retired J.B. Jenkins for the first out of the inning with a ground ball to Drew Schmidt (Xavier). After retiring the first batter in the inning, Keehan (Kentucky Wesleyan) needed to come out after an injury to his knee. He pitched 11/3 innings. Pitcher Michael Peterson (DePauw) took over and retired the next two batters with a man on third to end the innings. The score after six is the Steam 3 and Scouts 2. Patrick George was pulled after six innings pitched, five strikeouts, three walks, one hit by pitch, and three runs. Mark Husband took over in the seventh inning for the Scouts. He retired the first to batters for the Steam, but Jon Edgington (Miami) hit a base hit to left and then stole second. Kyle Bluestein (Jacksonville State) grounded out to third to end the inning. Michael Peterson (DePauw) retired the first two batters until he allowed his first hit, but then he retired the next batter with a pop out to the first basemen. In the eighth, Brad Gschwind (Miami) helped Peterson and the Steam with a belt over the right center field wall about 380 ft. The Steam gained an insurance run. The next three Steam hitters were retired by Mark Husband to end the inning. In the middle of the eighth the score is Steam 4 and Scouts 2. Michael Peterson (DePauw) returned to the mound in the bottom of the eighth. He retired the first batter with a groundout, but allowed a homerun to left off the bat of Harman Watkins to make the game even closer, Steam 4-Scouts 3. Peterson then retired the next to batters to end the inning. The Steam knocked the ball around Athletes in Action Park in their half of the ninth. Tim Issler (Ball State) led the inning off with a double; Ryan Strausborger (Indiana State) hit a deep shot to left field that was drop that allowed the fifth run to score for the Steam. Drew Schmidt (Xavier) hit a single to center to advance Strausborger (Indiana State) to third with no outs. Strausborger (Indiana State) scored with a base hit to right field by Jon Edgington (Miami). Kyle Bluestein (Jacksonville State) lined to center for a base hit to advance the runners, which loaded the bases. Brad Gschwind (Miami) hit a rocket to center for a double that scored two more runs for the Steam leaving second and third with no one out. Bobby Freking (Xavier) hit a single to center, which allowed two more runs to score for the Steam. T.J. Jones (Cincinnati) flied out to the second baseman for the first out. Trace Voshell (Ohio) walked. Travis Shaw (Kent State) pinch hit for Cody Elliot (Ball State), who pinch ran for Tim Issler (Ball State) in the ninth, and hit a base hit to right, which allowed Bobby Freking (Xavier) to score the Steam’s eleventh run. Drew Schmidt (Xavier) hit a deep drive to right center, which was dropped by the center fielder that allowed two more runs to score. Kyle Bluestein (Jacksonville State) hit a sacrifice fly to center to score the fourteenth run for the Steam. The inning ended when Brad Gschwind flied out to the left fielder. After the long offensive inning Michael Peterson was finished for the evening and Brian Sand took over. Michael Peterson pitched a 1 2/3 innings of relief work. Xenia had a late rally as well, scoring five in the bottom of the ninth, but the Steam hold on to win 14-8.
Winning Pitcher: Mike Jefferson Players of the Game:
Ryan Strausborger went 3 for 6 with two singles, double and a walk The Cincinnati Steam are making a well needed pit-stop after playing three games in a row, but they will return to action on Sunday, June 28 against the Stark County Terriers in a double header starting at 2:05 p.m. at Western Hills High School.
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