Paints Come Back To Beat 'Shrimp, Win Eastern Conference Title

(Photo by Cory Hall)

Recap courtesy of the Chillicothe Paints:

PERU, Ill. - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by Adena Health System, punched their ticket to the Prospect League Championship Series with a 7-4 comeback win over the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp in Tuesday's Eastern Conference Championship Game.

Illinois Valley struck first. After an error on a fly ball to deep left put a runner at second to start the bottom of the first and a groundout moved the runner to third, Zach Lane grounded out to shortstop, bringing home the game's first run.

They added on in the second inning, scoring three runs on four hits. Justin Rios hit a two-out, two run double, scoring on a two-out RBI single by Jared Quandt to cap the inning with the Pistol Shrimp up 4-0.

The Paints finally got things going in the top of the fourth. Tommy Thamann led off with a double, scoring on a double by Nate Dorinsky, cutting the deficit to 4-1. Three batters later, Jake Reifsnyder grounded out to third, scoring Dorinsky. Two batters after that, Brett Carson singled to center field, plating Hunter Klotz and Anthony Steele. Carson scored on a double by Santrel Farmer, giving the Paints a 5-4 lead.

Chillicothe added a pair of runs in the seventh. Reifsnyder struck out, but the ball got away from the 'Shrimp catcher, allowing Reifsnyder to reach first base and Thamann to score. Gianni Passarelli followed with a single, scoring Steele and making it 7-4.

Paints starter Dawson Gabe exited after 1 2/3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits, walking one and striking one out. Nick Lallathin earned the in in relief. He pitched the next 4 2/3, allowing no runs on five hits, walking one and striking out four. Isaac Danford threw 1 2/3 innings, surrendering one hit, walking two and striking out three. Cal McAninch pitched the ninth, allowing one hit and striking out one, earning his first save of the season.

Illinois Valley pitchers Zach Losey (9), Justin Rios (9) and Tucker Bougie (2) combined to strike out 20 batters on the night. Losey took the loss, his first of the season, after allowing five runs on five hits, walking five and striking out nine. 

The Paints are the 2022 Prospect League Eastern Conference Champions and now advance to the Prospect League Championship Series against the Alton River Dragons. Game one is Thursday in Alton, Illinois, at 6:35 p.m. CDT. Game two and, if necessary, game three will be held in Chillicothe Saturday and Sunday.