Rockabillys Dropped by Kings in Extra Innings

Springfield, Ohio - Jackson came close to mustering up their first road win since early July, but a late comeback and subsequent 8-7 walkoff dashed the Goats' hopes late Wednesday night. 

The Rockabillys began with a 4-0 lead, as their first two innings proved fruitful at the dish. In the first frame, Drew Ripepi smacked a double to right center, which plated a pair of runs. This was followed by a single from Drake Blackwood, which managed to score Ripepi. 

Ripepi had yet another trick up his sleeve in the second, as he once again doubled the other way, scoring Brooks Jones. The Goats came within inches of crossing another run off the double, but Ashton Horchem was tagged out at the dish. Nonetheless, a sizeable lead had been collected by the visitors.

The Kings answered in the third with a two-run bomb, but that was it offensively until we reached the final stretch. In the seventh, Charlie Jury raced in a run on a wild pitch, and later, Cade Miles hit a sacrifice fly. 

Champion City hit hyperdrive with their bats, and backs against the wall, they scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to make it 6-5 as the final innings approached. 

With runners at first and second, and one out, Rockabillys star reliever Jaxson Lucas was tasked with closing out his eleventh save of the year. Instead, Champion City drove in a run to knot things up at six and force extra innings. 

In extras, the Goats struck first as Jury reached on an error, allowing Gregory Berroa to come across. The Goats fell low on pitching, and Merik Carter was asked to try and collect a save of his own now. Despite a 1-for-4 effort at the dish, Carter was unable to collect a save, and Champion City won on a failed pickoff move. 

Goats Notes: Jackson returns to the grind and aims to stop this three game skid tonight versus Johnstown. First pitch against the Mill Rats is slated for 6:00 p.m. CDT.