Paints Drop Series Opener In Johnstown, 3-2

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by Adena Health System, gave up three runs in the ninth Wednesday night, losing to the Johnstown Mill Rats 3-2 at Sargent's Stadium at the Point.

Chillicothe (17-10) got a magnificent start from Gino Sabatine. The righthander needed just 64 pitches to get through seven innings, allowing just one hit, striking out two and hitting one batter.

The Paints got a double from Nate Dorinsky in the top of the second, he scored on a two-out RBI single from Hunter Klotz, making it 1-0.

Chillicothe made it 2-0 in the seventh inning. Kade Wroot hit a triple to right field. He scored on a strikeout that should've ended the inning, but the ball went to the backstop, allowing the batter to reach and Wroot to score.

Dawson Gabe took over for Sabatine in the eighth, walking a better in the inning, but stranding the runner and keeping the Chillicothe lead at 2-0.

In the bottom of the ninth, Joe Alcorn led off for Johnstown (11-14) with a single. Chase Cromer walked, putting runners at first and second. Gabe struck out Pete Capobianco, then walked Lukas Torres, loading the bases. Chillicothe made a pitching change, bringing in Evan Wolf, who struck out Randy Carlo IV for out number two. Jake Casey came up and sent a ball sky-high into shallow right field near the line, the ball got well above the lights, making it impossible for Wroot to see the ball in the outfield, allowing it to fall for a hit and all three runners scored, giving the Mill Rats a 3-2 win.

The Paints and Mill Rats play again Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Johnstown.