Brian Kordal

Newest Settler Tyler Heskett (Wright State University) (1-0) benefitted from one of the largest comebacks in the organization's history in his first ever appearance for the Navy and Red.  His 2.2 innings of work in the middle of the contest coincided with nine unanswered runs in the final four innings to help Licking County climb from a 7-1 defecit to victory. 

Highlights at the dish came from a two-RBI triple from Brian Kordal (University of Akron) to bring Licking County within three before he later scored on a sacrifice fly.  An inning later, Chris Serritella (Southern Illinois University) crushed a two-run home run to knot the game at seven.  Later in the decisive sixth inning, Brandon Gessner (Otterbein College) looped a single to drive home two and give the visitors the lead for good.

Nick Karow (Furman University) cleaned up the seventh for his eighth save in as many tries. 

In the second game, Licking County could not take advantage of six sparkling innings from Joe Muraski (Northwestern University) as they lost a 2-0 edge. 

Licking County (17-11) is one victory away from ensuring their first non-losing season ever, as they look to finish up their series in Anderson, Indiana with a 1 p.m. doubleheader with Servants on Saturday, July 25th.  Both games can be heard right here at settlersbaseball.com.

Andy Podolinski

Steve Davis (Coastal Carolina University) knocked home the first run of the inning on his RBI single off the pitcher's glove.  Moments later, Kordal hit a soft liner on the left field foul line for a two-RBI double that closed the defecit to one.  Then, pinch-hitting John Turk (University of Akron) poked a ball through the left side of the infield for the final big hit of the inning.

Jarad Miller (Valparaiso University) set the stage for Nick Karow's (Furman University) seventh save of the season, which set a new Settlers single season mark.

Meanwhile, Justin Warrington (Ball State University) (1-0) parlayed the big inning to give him his first win as a Settler after he worked through a scoreless seventh.  Andy Podolinski (West Virginia University) struck out five in two innings of middle relief, keeping the scoreline stagnant before the Settlers came to life in the penultimate frame. 

Licking County snapped a two game losing streak while holding their grip on fourth place in the league standings heading into a four game weekend set at Anderson.

Click here to follow the Settlers as they travel to Indiana to take on the Anderson Servants for a 5 p.m. (EST) doubleheader.  Saturday's doubleheader kicks off at 1 p.m. (EST) and can also be heard right here on settlersbaseball.com.

Phil Klein

A gem from Phil Klein (Youngstown State University) went to waste, as he tossed 6.1 innings of five hit ball but took the no-decision.  In relief, Aaron Hammons (Ball State University) (1-2) took the loss as Licking County heads into the home stretch of the season. 

At the plate, Aaron Roberts (Southern Illinois University) and Chris Serritella (Southern Illinois University) reached to lead off the fourth inning.  A batter later, Tyler Engle (Ohio State University) drove in the game's first run with a single.  A wild pitch later scored Serritella, and with Klein cruising on the mound, it appeared as though Licking County would hold on for the win.  Through six innings, Klein had faced the minimum inspite of three hits allowed, as the defense flashed the leather on numerous occasions.

WIth five games in four games upcoming, Licking County (15-11) looks to come of their mini-slump as they take on Southern Ohio on Thursday, July 23rd at 7:30 p.m. from Athens, Ohio.  The game can be heard right here on settlersbaseball.com.

Dan Buchholz

The end result, was nearly a wash. Literally. After the Settlers did snap the losing streak by taking game one 6-4, a rain shortened game two saw the Steam win 4-1 with play called after five innings. As a result of the double dip split, the Settlers and Steam remained tied for third, but the Settlers did win the season series 3-1 to win the head-to-head tiebreaker.  The 3-1 mark against the Steam marks the best result for Licking County against Cincinnati in their four year rivalry. 

In game one, a trio of all-stars John McCambridge (Xavier University) Aaron Roberts (Southern Illinois) and Dan Bucholz (Wisconsin-Milwaukee) provided the offensive punch and cemented their status as three of the league's best. McCambridge started the game with a leadoff double, coming around and scoring on a Roberts single. The two runs in the top of the first provided starter Jonathan Kountis (Ohio Dominican) with a bit of breathing room that he would need.

The two-run lead the Settlers enjoyed going into the home half of the first was short lived. The Steam countered with two runs of their own to knot the game at two where the score stood until the third inning. That inning the slugging Buchholz (pictured) sent his second home run of the season over the left field wall, as the two-run line drive home run staked the Settlers to a lead they would not reliquish.

Later in the third inning a Tyler Engle (Ohio State) single would allow Roberts to score his second run of the game. In the sixth, John McCaimbridge would score the Settlers sixth and final run as Chris Serritella (Southern Illinois) would connect for an RBI-single. Having multi-hit games as part of the 11 hit attack for the Settlers; Roberts 2-3, McMillen 2-4, McCambridge 2-5, and Bucholz 2-4.

In collecting his fourth win, Jonathan Kountis (4-2) pitched four solid innings, allowing six hits, three runs, while walking two and striking out three, the Settlers 'pen never allowed the Steam back in the game. Jared Miller (Valparaiso) would pitch the fifth and sixth innings, before Nick Karow (Furman University) pitched the seventh collecting his sixth save of the season.