NORTH CANTON, Ohio—The Stark County Terriers split a double header against the Delaware Cows on Friday afternoon, dropping the first game 5-4 and winning the second game 8-7.

The Cows struck first during game one, scoring a run in the second inning.

Stark County would score all four of their runs in the fourth inning. With runners at the corners, first baseman Mark Lapikas (University of Toledo/ Youngstown, OH) would hit a double to the right center field gap, driving in the first run of the inning. Jason Bagoly (Kent State University/ Austintown, OH) would come to the plate next and hit a single, driving in another run. Right fielder Dominic Spadafora (Wabash Community College/ Fort Wayne, IN) followed Bagoly’s single with one of his own, scoring another for the Terriers. Bagoly would later score off an error by the Delaware pitcher to round out the scoring for the inning.

Delaware would score one run in the fifth inning, followed by a devastating sixth inning where they scored three runs to go ahead 5-4. Unfortunately for the Terriers, their offense could get nothing going the rest of the game, resulting in the loss.

Junior LHP Kyle Hallock (Kent State University/ Sandusky, OH) started the game for Stark County. Hallock went four and one-third innings, giving up two runs while allowing six hits. Earning the loss for the Terriers was Pat O’Brien (Bowling Green State University/ Boardman, OH). O’Brien pitched one and two-third innings, giving up three runs (2 ER), off four hits.

Leading the hitting for Stark County in game one was Dominic Spadafora. Spadafora went 2-3 with an RBI.

The Terriers started the scoring off in game two during the second inning, when Jason Leblebijian (Bradley University/ Arlington Heights, IL) scored from third base on a throwing error.

The Cows would put up three runs in the third inning to take the lead 3-1.

Stark County would come back in the fourth inning to retake the lead. With a runner at third and nobody out, Kenny Socorro (Marshall University/ Miami, FL) doubled down the left field line, driving in a run. Socorro then scored off a ground ball hit to the third baseman. Mark Lapikas would then walk, and eventually reach third base, before being driven home courtesy of a Dominic Spadafora single. After the fourth, the Terriers had retaken the lead 4-3.

The Cows would score another run to tie the game up in the top of the fifth inning.

The Terriers would add more to their lead in the bottom half fifth inning thanks to some very wild pitching from Delaware. Stark County would score three runs in the inning, after the Delaware pitcher walked the first four batters of the inning, all without a base hit or reaching base by error.

The Cows would fight off their three run deficit, scoring two in the eighth and one in the ninth to tie the game up at 7-7.

The ninth inning started off with a bang for the Terriers, when Chris Norton (Marshall University/ Tampa, FL) doubled to right center field. Norton then was moved to third base after a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt. Then, after the Cows intentionally walked the next two batters, Zach Vesco (College of Wooster/ Pickering, OH) slapped a single down the right field line to give the Terriers a walk off win, 8-7.

Starting pitcher for Stark County in game two was RHP Steve Weber (Eastern Michigan University/ North Royalton, OH). Weber pitched three innings, giving up three runs, off three hits. Earning the win was RHP Cody Umbright (University of Toledo/ Suffield, OH), who allowed one run off one hit in one and two-third innings of work.

Leading hitters for Stark County in game two were Zach Vesco (1-2, RBI), and Chris Norton (1-2, 3R, 2B).

The Terriers will next take the field for a holiday double header July 4, against the Grand Lake Mariners (7-8) at Walsh University Field in North Canton, OH. First pitch is scheduled for 3PM.