Paints Cruise By Rats

Chillicothe 5, Richmond 2

First off, let's get to saying that this weekend featured patriotism to the greatest extent. This happened to be the 4th of July weekend, and for all of us Americans, the meaning for this weekend was simple. The 4th of July marked the birth date of the country that we currently live in today. The songs that were sung before the game and during the seventh inning put it to perspective. The National Anthem and God Bless America hit it home for us. We should be thankful for what we have and the opportunities we have to just live our lives. That's one important thing that unfortunately some people forget along the way. You have to tip your cap to the soldiers who are currently fighting overseas.

Now let's get down to business. Let's talk about the game that was played. This game was just great, and it was fitting for what the Paints could do. The Paints were once again back to their fundamental executing ways, being the Southern Ohio Stampede that they have been for most of this year. I saw a lot of good plays made by the defense. I saw a lot of good timely hitting by the offense. I saw good bunting when it was absolutely needed. I saw clutch pitching from the mound. I saw a packed crowd at V.A. Memorial Stadium cheering on their hometown team. This was a good day for baseball, simply put.

Tony Bertucci took the mound for the Paints. In his start, Bertucci went 6 and 1/3 innings deep, and gave up only two runs. He gave up four hits and a walk in this game, but he came back to shut down Richmond's batters, striking out five. This was a great day for Bertucci. He was rolling for a little bit at one point. It was great to see him do what he does best. He looked pretty comfortable out on the mound, too. He was challenging the opposing batters and he was holding his own. Tony didn't have many problems aside from a few.

I have to say that even though he's playing for the other team, I really like Richmond catcher Tyler Bullock. He has been impressive at the plate, much to the joy of Richmond fans of course, but even I can say that he's going to be something special if he becomes a mainstay for the River Rats for the next few years. Of course, college elligibility is almost always 4 years long, but still, Bullock has become fun to watch as an opposing player.

In fact, I have even given him a nickname to boot, and I hope if he's reading this he likes the nickname. I call him the "Big Pickup Truck". I don't know why Bullock reminds me of a truck, but I feel that's a good nickname, and this is all in good fun anyway.

Let's get back to the Paints, and to their offense. Kyle Galbraith had a single. Ben Allen had a single. Andy Brouse had a bunt single. Eian Bamks had an infield single and a bunt single. Kyle Gendron had a single and a two-RBI double. Kyle Leonard had a single off a hit and run attempt. DH Brandon White had an RBI single. Time Krofcheck had a single. Overall, this was a great day for the offense. Things were just clicking, Execution was definitely the key here. I loved the bunt attempts because they were very appropiate for the situations at hand. I always like it when small ball is played, but I think when you guys read my other articles, you would know that already.

We are approaching the halfway point of the very first Prospect League season, and it seems to me like the Chillicothe Paints are in a pretty good spot right now considering all of the bumps in the road that the team may have run into. The Paints are currently leading the Eastern Division by a couple of games, and the fight for second place in that division seems to be gathering more debate than the race for first, but that's not out of the question for any teams in the Eastern Division. In the Western Division, the Quincy Gems have unsurprsingly been on a roll this year, continuing from their great success in the previous college wood bat league, the CICL. They have a more comfortable lead out in the wild, wild Western Division.