Bobcats knock off Senators in another extra inning finish

WEST PORTSMOUTH — Another extra inning game and another win for the Bobcats.

A three-run rally in the ninth lifted Green to a 9-7 win over the Portsmouth West Senators in a non league game between Southern Ohio Conference teams on Monday.

The Bobcats were paced offensively by Mason Neal, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a run batted in and Landon Kimbler who went 2-5. Both Jon Knapp and Riddick Jenkins had a hit and two RBIs, Quincy Merrill and Kase McIntyre had a hit and an RBI, Gabe Blevins had an RBI, and Blake Smith had a hit for Green.

Kimbler got the win for Green, coming on in relief in the sixth inning and going the rest of the way. Kimbler allowed just 3 hits, three earned runs and fanned three batters in four innings of work.

The win also marked the third time this season Kimbler has come on in relief and won an extra inning game for Green.

The Bobcats got on the board first on a sacrifice fly by Jon Knapp to make it 1-0.

West took the lead in the bottom of the frame, capitalizing on an error by Green, then Bryson Kessinger and Max Rapp grounded out to score a run and make the score 3-1 in favor of the Senators.

The Senators lead didn't last long, as the Bobcats drew even in the second with an RBI single by Kase McIntyre and sacrifice fly by Gabe Blevins.

In the third, Green (15-5) got an RBI single down the left field line from Mason Neal. Then the Senators committed an error to allow another run to score and put the Bobcats back up 5-3.

The Bobcats added another run in the fourth to extend their lead.

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But the Senators (5-15) rallied back with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings. The game-tying score came when Rapp singled down the right field line.

The Bobcats broke the tie in the ninth on an RBI single by Quincy Merrill. Then Riddick Jenkins singled in two more insurance runs.

Will Kegley took the loss for West, allowing just three earned runs, four hits and striking out four after coming on in the fifth to finish out the game for the Senators.

Rapp finished 2-5 at the plate and had four RBIs to lead the Senators offensively. Bryson Kessinger had a hit and an RBI, and both Kegely and Drew Dettwiller recorded a hit for West.

The Bobcats will be at home on Thursday when they face Federal Hocking in the opening round of the OHSAA Division 7 tournament. West will travel to South Point on Tuesday for their opening round game.

Green 122 100 003 = 9 9 4

Ports. West 300 000 301 = 7 5 4

Jon Knapp, Kase McIntyre (3), Landon Kimbler (6) and Gabe Blevins. H Windsor, Zane Pitts (2), Will Kegley (5) and Levi Picklesimer. W-Kimbler (IP-4.0, H-3, R-4, ER-3, K-3, BB-4, WP-0). Jon Knapp (IP-2.0, H-0, R-3, ER-0, K-1, BB-3, WP-0). McIntyre (IP-3.0, H-2, R-0, ER-0, K-2, BB-2, WP-0). L-Kegley (IP-5.1, H-4, R-3, ER-3, K-4, BB-0, HBP-1). Windsor (IP-1.1, H-3, R-3, ER-3, K-1, BB-3, HBP-1). Pitts (IP-2.1, H-2, R-3, ER-1, K-2, BB-1, HBP-1). Hitting-Green: Blake Smith 1-4, Landon Kimbler 2-5, Gabe Blevins RBI, Jon Knapp 1-4 2-RBI, Quincy Merrill 1-4 RBI, Mason Neal 2-4 RBI, Riddick Jenkins 1-3 2-RBI, Kase McIntyre 1-3 RBI; West: Bryson Kessinger 1-5 RBI, Will Kegley 1-2, Max Rapp 2-5 4-RBI, Drew Dettwiller 1-2.