Paints Defeat Bombers In The Stretch

Chillicothe 5, Dubois County 4

This was a well managed game by the hometown team. This was just another tip of the mill type of win that the team can feel good about. The Chillicothe Paints welcomed the Dubois County Bombers into the V.A. for this night, and unlike the time where they played at the Bombers' place, there weren't any doubts as to who was who. You could tell which team was which by looking at the jersey colors. The Bombers wore red and the Paints wore their home white jerseys. Like I said before, this was a game that the Paints can feel good about because mainly, they got the win.

When it comes to defensive plays, the Paints made more stops than the Bombers did, and what's more interesting is the fact that the Bombers made four errors in this ballgame. That's a lot to give up in a span of a game, and that's where you know where things aren't really going right for the team when plays are being messed up here and there. Hey, it happens, and I just want to note that the Bombers didn't give up in this game. They battled to the very end, and that was evident because of the top of the ninth inning that gave the Paints some kind of concern.

Tony Davey made the start for the Paints. He gave up 6 hits, two walks, and only one run as he would pitch 6 innings deep in his start. From my point of view, I would have to say that Davey had many things going right for him. He had good control of his pitches for the most part. True, a few pitches did get away from him, but that's true for just about every pitcher in the Prospect League. Those things just happen. However, Davey had a good start and he kept the Dubois County offense in check. Davey didn't get rattled at all even when he did get into a little bit of trouble.

Mark Williams and Stephen Shackleford did get into a bit of trouble in both of their outings, but they weren't so bad when you stop and think about it. Williams would get into the game from the seventh inning on and would pitch an okay relief outing, going two innings deep and giving up four hits and a walk. He gave up one run in total. He put in a strikeout in the middle of all that. Again, nothing too bad at all. Shackleford pitched the ninth inning and would give up a hit, commit and error, and would throw a wild pitch. He would give up two runs, but he still shut the door on the Bombers, and that's all that matters.

Going to the lumber factory, Kyle Galbraith would see action both in center field and at third base, and he would get a double to start the hitting for the Paints in the first inning. Shortstop Ben Allen would get an RBI off a groundout. First baseman Kyle Gendron had two singles, and I am glad to say that he did a great job manning first base in this game. He was very in tune with what was going on when on defense. Right fielder Eian Banks had a single. Center fielder Steven Mirizzi had an infield single. The ever so speedy second baseman Tim Krofcheck had a bunt single.

Now let's get to the All-Star Game selections. The Paints will bring a total of 11 representatives to Springfield, Illinois.

Manager: Brian Mannino
1B: Cory Maguire
3B: Kyle Galbraith
SS: Ben Allen
UTIL: Kyle Gendron
OF: Andy Brouse
C: Andrew Marshall
RP: Chadd Steinborn
RP: Blake Mascarello
SP: Clayton Schulz
SP: A.J. Achter

Congratulations to all of these guys, both the players and Chillicothe's skipper for accomplishing this first feat in the Prospect League. This has been a wonderful season so far, and it gives me good pleasure to applaud these guys for their hard work throughout the first part of the season. I appreciate all of the Paints for what they do, and I hope for the best from the rest of the guys, but just for these guys alone, I wish them well in Springfield, and I want them to just enjoy themselves and have some fun. They have earned it, after all.

There were some interesting highlights to note here. Before the game even started, Ronald McDonald was on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and he even sung the National Anthem, which he did a splendid job in singing it. He had a very good sounding voice for singing. He was at the V.A. for McDonald's I'm Lovin' It Night, one of the promotions that the Paints organization does during the season. Unlike the We Be Clowns, who are great to have at the ballpark no doubt, the appearance of Ronald McDonald didn't bring any rain to the ballpark, much to the fans' delight.