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Phantoms Take Two Out of Three from Red Barons
Columbus, OH – The Baltimore Phantoms took two out of three games from the Columbus Red Barons in a closely contested series, showcasing strong pitching and timely hitting. The Phantoms won the first game 5-0, eked out an 8-6 victory in the second game, while the Red Barons salvaged the series finale with a narrow 1-0 win.
Game 1: Phantoms' Ellis Shuts Down Red Barons in 5-0 Victory
Top 2nd Inning: Joe Glenn got the Phantoms on the board early with a solo home run to center field off Brett Vesel, giving Baltimore a 1-0 lead. Vesel struck out Donovan Walker and Craig Stewart to end the inning.
Top 7th Inning: An error by shortstop Dom Haslam allowed Walker to reach second. Jesse Hicks doubled to score Walker, and Anthony Hatfield followed with another RBI double, extending the Phantoms' lead to 3-0.
Top 9th Inning: Baltimore added two insurance runs with singles by Billy Rollins and Millard McClure. A sacrifice fly by Neil Millar scored Rollins, making it 5-0.
Pitching Stats: Andrew Ellis pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing 8 hits and striking out 11 batters. Vesel pitched 5 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits with 5 strikeouts.
Double Plays: Columbus turned 2 double plays, both involving shortstop Dom Haslam, second baseman Karl Whalen, and first baseman David Nolasco.
Final Score: Baltimore Phantoms 5, Columbus Red Barons 0
Box Score:
- Baltimore Phantoms: 5 runs, 8 hits, 0 errors
- Columbus Red Barons: 0 runs, 8 hits, 1 error
Game 2: Phantoms Outlast Red Barons in High-Scoring 8-6 Battle
Top 2nd Inning: Baltimore rallied with the bases loaded on three consecutive walks. Jordan Perry and Billy Rollins hit RBI singles, followed by another walk and a fielder's choice, giving the Phantoms a 4-2 lead.
"We just kept the line moving," said Rollins. "Everyone did their part to keep the pressure on."
Top 9th Inning: The Phantoms added insurance runs with a single by Glenn and a bases-clearing double by Walker, extending their lead to 8-3.
Bottom 9th Inning: Columbus made a late push with singles by Griffith and Mathews, followed by Bobby Brunson’s three-run homer to center field, but the rally fell short as Washington induced two groundouts to secure the win for Baltimore.
Pitching Stats: Joe Foster pitched 8.1 innings, allowing 6 runs on 10 hits with 14 strikeouts. Robert Ake pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits with 6 strikeouts.
Double Plays: Columbus turned 1 double play involving Haslam, Whalen, and first baseman Billy Latner.
Final Score: Baltimore Phantoms 8, Columbus Red Barons 6
Box Score:
- Baltimore Phantoms: 8 runs, 10 hits, 0 errors
- Columbus Red Barons: 6 runs, 10 hits, 1 error
Game 3: Red Barons Salvage Series Finale with 1-0 Victory
Bottom 1st Inning: Dom Haslam walked, stole second, and scored on a David Sexton double, giving Columbus an early 1-0 lead.
"Our goal was to get on base and create opportunities," said Haslam. "Sexton came through with a big hit."
Top 8th Inning: Baltimore’s best scoring chance came when Rollins doubled and McClure walked, but Neil Millar grounded into a double play to end the threat.
Pitching Stats: Jimmie Chausse pitched 7 innings, allowing 5 hits and striking out 10. Lorenzo Correa pitched 7 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits with 8 strikeouts.
Double Plays: Baltimore turned 1 double play involving second baseman Donovan Walker, shortstop Millard McClure, and first baseman Joe Glenn.
Final Score: Columbus Red Barons 1, Baltimore Phantoms 0
Box Score:
- Baltimore Phantoms: 0 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors
- Columbus Red Barons: 1 run, 4 hits, 0 errors
Series MVP: Joe Glenn - Glenn's consistent hitting and crucial RBIs were instrumental in Baltimore’s victories. "I'm just happy to contribute and help the team win," Glenn said.
This thrilling series showcased stellar pitching, clutch hitting, and defensive prowess, with the Phantoms taking two out of three games against the Red Barons. The Red Barons, despite the series loss, displayed moments of brilliance and will look to build on their performance in the next series.
