Bobcats Rally Back to Beat Titans in SOC Showdown

PORTSMOUTH — Bobcats are known to claw and that’s just what this group of Bobcats did on Tuesday.

Trailing 2-0 after 4 innings, the Green Bobcats clawed their way back to a tie and then clawed their way to a pair of runs in the eighth inning to beat the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans 4-2 in a pivotal Southern Ohio Conference-1 game.

“We overcame a lot of adversity to get this win. It was a test for our boys and we stepped up,” said Green coach Dave Shoupe.

“I’m proud of their resilience. Landon came in and did a great job in relief. He did not let the runner on third with no outs get to him. He zoned in and got the job done.”

Green is now 5-1 overall and leads the SOC-1 with  3-0 record. Notre Dame slips to 5-2 and 2-2.

Jon Knapp and Landon Kimbler combined on a 2-hitter for Green.

Knapp started and went 6 innings allowing 2 runs, one earned, 3 hits with 9 strikeouts and 6 walks. Kimbler got the win as he pitched 2 scoreless innings striking out 4 and walking 4.

Notre Dame got a run in the first and third innings before Green tied the score in the fifth.

In the bottom of the seventh, The Titans’ Sawyer Rutman tripled to right field leading off. Kimbler struck out the next 2 batters and intentionally walked Luke Cassidy — who was 2-3 on the day — and Ethan Kingray to load the bases.

Kimbler struck out the next batter to end the inning and force extra innings.

Kase McIntyre walked, Noah McMackin and Kimbler singled for a run and a throwing error scored pinch-runner Riddick Jenkins.

In the top of the eighth inning, Knapp walked and Blake Smith was hit by a pitch. After a force out at third, Quincy Merrill singled to score Smith and McIntyre singled home the insurance run.

Notre Dame loaded the bases with 2 outs in the bottom of the eighth on an error and 2 walks. But Kimbler got the next batter to foul out and give Green the key win.

Eugene Collins took the loss in relief of Bryce McGraw who was forced to lead the game with a possible broken non-pitching hand he suffered trying to bunt.

Green 000 020 02 = 4 6 5

Notre Dame 101 000 00 = 2 3 1

Jon Knapp, Landon Kimbler (7) and Noah McMackin. Bryce McGraw, Eugene Collins (6), Connor Estep; (8) and Connor Estep, Carter Ingles (8). W-Kimbler (IP-2.0, H-0, R-0, K-4, BB-4). Knapp (IP-6.0, H-3, R-2, ER-1, K-9, BB-6). L-Collins (IP-2.2, H-2, R-2, ER–2, K-2, BB-1). McGraw (IP-6.0, H-4, R-2, ER-2, K-2, BB-4). Estep (IP-0.1, H-0, R-0, K-1, BB-0). Hitting-Green: Landon Kimber 2-4, Quincy Merrill 1-4 RBI, K McIntyre 1-3 RBI, Noah McMackin 2-4; Notre Dame: Luke Cassidy 2-3 2-RBI, Sawyer Rutman 1-3 3B.