Grand Lake falls short in final tourney game

XENIA - It was a tough spot for Grand Lake when they arrived at the Athletes In Action complex on Friday.

When the team got there, they saw that there would be no chance to play for a championship as Cincinnati won its game against Xenia to secure the spot for the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League tournament championship game later in the evening.

The Mariners tried to ruin Southern Ohio's chances to take the other title game spot, but the Copperheads did their part - and got help when Licking Valley beat Lima to set up a three-way tie for their pod - in beating the Mariners 3-2.

Grand Lake ends its season with a fine 26-12 record. Southern Ohio advanced to the title game as the Copperheads, Licking County and Lima each finished 2-1 in their pod. Southern Ohio advanced via giving up the fewest runs (six) in its three games.

With the game being for pride, Mariners coach Brandon Tormoehlen gave every player present and available for the game a chance to play and pitch. Sixteen players got a chance to play the field and seven pitchers combined to give up seven hits and just two walks.

"Our guys came out and played well," said Tormoehlen. "They battled. With Cincinnati already clinching the final there, we decided to get everybody some at-bats or some work (on the mound) for their last game."

The Copperheads got their runs in the first two innings off starter Derek Grabner. Trent Moses singled in Ryan Burnett and Jerod Yakubik scored on a groundout in the first inning. Southern Ohio added a score in the second when Taylor Davis scored on a Burnett single.

But after the second, the Mariners' bullpen limited the Copperheads to two hits. Brent McNeil pitched two innings, followed by perfect innings from Ryan Richter, Sam Slavik, Andy Lowe, Jamie Feldheiser and Jeff Holm, who moved from first to the mound in the ninth.

"Our bullpen has been the key to our success all year long," said Tormoehlen. "They shut them down, zeros the rest of the game. They come in, throw strikes. They make teams earn everything. Just a great group of guys from the top to the bottom. Definitely a pleasure to coach these guys."

The Mariners made a game of it in the sixth. Gabe DeMarco, who came in to catch for Ryan Schlater, legged out a triple, then scored an out later on Zach Tanner's sacrifice fly.

Then in the eighth, Grand Lake got a run closer, as Andrew Host got a one-out single. After Tanner walked, John Bonvillian grounded to short. Tanner was forced out, but the throw to first was wild, allowing Host to score the second run.

Southern Ohio closed it out in the ninth, however, as reliever Dave Jensen threw a perfect final inning.

"We just weren't able to overcome the three-run deficit," said Tormoehlen.
Friday's other games
Cincinnati 7, Xenia 0

The Steam punched their ticket to the title game thanks to a seven-run bottom of the eighth, snapping a classic pitcher's duel between the Scouts' Jacob Reding and Cincinnati's Mike Jefferson.

Cincinnati loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth, with Jon Edgington bringing in Bobby Freking for the winning run. T.J. Jones brought two more runs in with a triple and Ben Thomas added a two-run single to help in the scoring.

Jefferson struck out 10 Scouts and walked just one in throwing eight innings of two-hit baseball. Ryan Martin pitched a perfect ninth to close things out.

Reding struck out five and walked two in 7 1/3 innings before the Steam pulled away.
Licking County 8, Lima 2

The Settlers sent the top-seed Locos, and retiring coach Rob Livchak, home with a loss as Licking County broke the game open with four runs in the third as four Settlers pitchers held Lima to two runs and five hits. The Settlers also missed out as Southern Ohio won via tiebreaker with fewest runs allowed.

Brian Kordal hit a three-run homer off Locos starter Zach Laughlin to break open the game. Chris Serritella added a solo home run in the third to pace the Licking County hitting attack.

Chris Sosebee homered to pace Lima.

GLSCL Tourney:
The results from the final day of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League tournament held in Xenia this week.

Friday's Games
Southern Ohio 3, Grand Lake 2
Cincinnati 7, Xenia 0
Licking County 8, Lima 2

Championship game
Cincinnati 4, Southern Ohio 2

Cincinnati repeats as GLSCL tournament champions.