Paints Sweep Doubleheader In Johnstown

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by CohenOrthopedic, bounced back after Saturday's loss with a doubleheader sweep over the Mill Rats Sunday at Johnstown's Sargent's Stadium at the Point.

Noah Williamson (2-0) got the start for the Paints (10-5) in game one, eventually earning the win after throwing 5 2/3 innings and allowing no runs on six hits, striking out six and walking two. The only run support he would need came in the top of the fourth.

Eric Colaco and Cameron Bowen bith singled in the top of the fourth with one out. Felix Polanco drove home the first run on a sacrifice fly to center field. Jhors Gomez followed with an RBI double, scoring Bowen and giving the Paints a 2-0 lead, the eventual final. 

Cayden Robinson got the final four outs for the Paints, retiring all four batters he faced, earning his first save of the season.

In game two, Chillicothe (11-5) wasted no time getting on the board. 

Alex Monile led the game off with a single and, with two outs, Bowen walked. Graham Solak doubled home both runners, making it 2-0.

The Paints would add two more in the second off a Colaco fielder's choice and a two-out RBI double by Gomez, making it 4-0.

Scotty Adelman (2-0) was cruising until the bottom of the fifth, when Johnstown's Dominic Krupinski hit a controversial two-run home run - the Paints argued that the ball was foul - cutting the Paints' lead to 4-2. The Mill Rats added another run on a bases-loaded hit batter, trimming the Chillicothe lead to 4-3.

The Paints responded by scoring six runs on six hits in the top of the seventh. Ben Schechterman would to start the inning, moving to third on a double off the tall net in left-center field by Tyler Mendez. After a strikeout for the first out of the inning, Gomez singled, scoring Schechterman. Bowen followed, driving a doubled to the gap that would bring home a pair of runs. Bowen then stole third and, after a throwing error by the catcher, scored on the play. Ethan Brown then singled, stealing second base a few pitches later. Trevor Coltenback singled, moving to second on a wild pitch that would also score Brown. Clay Burdette then walked and Schechterman, batting for the second time in the inning, singled home Coltenback, making it 10-3 Chillicothe.

The Mill Rats would plate an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh, but Felix Polanco would earn the save for Chillicothe after recording the final six outs of the game, including a strikeout.

The Paints are off Monday and return home to VA Memorial Stadium for a four-game homestand against Thrillville and the REX. Tuesday is Senior Citizen Night at the ballpark, with all fans age 65 and older receiving free admission, courtesy of CohenOrthopedic.