NORTH CANTON, Ohio— The Stark County Terriers swept their double header Saturday against the Lexington Hustlers. The first game was won by a score of 7-5, while the second game ended in walk off fashion, with the Terriers coming out on top 8-7. The sweep moves Stark County to a 12-10 record on the season.

After the Hustlers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning, the Terriers struck back to score five runs in the bottom half of the inning. With a runner on, Mark Lapikas (University of Toledo/ Youngstown, OH) doubled to left center field to drive in the first run of the game. Lapikas would eventually score on a passed ball, while the Lexington pitcher would then walk the next four batters, eventually scoring Chris Norton (Marshall University/ Tampa, FL) , and bringing up second baseman Kenny Socorro (Marshall University/ Miami, FL) with the bases loaded. Socorro would single up the middle to drive in two more runs to round out the scoring in the inning. At the end of one inning of play, the Terriers led 5-2.

Lexington would go on to score another run in the second inning, before the Terriers would strike again in the bottom of the third. With two outs and runners at second and third, Kenny Socorro would once again come up huge for Stark County, doubling to left center field to drive in two more runs. After the third inning, the Terriers led 7-3.

The Hustlers would add two more runs in the sixth inning to make things interesting, but simply could not produce enough in the seventh when RHP Justin Gill (Kent State University/ Canton, OH) came in to earn his first save of the season.

Earning the win for Stark County in game one was starting pitcher Tyler Newhart (John A. Logan College/ Alliance, OH). Newhart pitched four innings, allowing three runs, off seven hits.

Leading the hitting for the Terriers was the junior second baseman Kenny Socorro (2-3, 4RBI, 2B).

Lexington was first to get on the scoreboard in the second game, taking a 3-0 lead in the third inning. Stark County would respond in the fourth inning when Ryan Cypret (Ohio State University/ Powell, OH) would score after an error committed by the Lexington first baseman.

The fifth inning would prove to be even more prosperous for the Terriers. Catcher Jason Bagoly (Kent State University/ Austintown, OH) would start off the scoring by hitting an RBI triple down the right field line. Bagoly would then score when Cypret perfectly executed a suicide squeeze play. First baseman Grant McCoury (Elon University/ Canton, OH) would get things going again in the inning by hitting a double down the left field line. Then, with bases loaded, an error by the first baseman would result in McCoury and Alex Caghan (University of Rochester/ North Canton, OH) scoring to give the Terriers a 5-3 lead.

Stark County would extend their lead in the sixth inning courtesy of a Mark Lapikas solo home run over the right field fence. At the end of the inning, the Terriers would have a 6-3 lead. Lexington would not back down, scoring two runs in the seventh and two more in the ninth to take the lead 7-6 with the Terriers down to their final three outs.

The Terriers started the inning off with two consecutive singles by Alex Caghan and Zach Leonard (Eastern Michigan University/ Canton, OH). Caghan would then come around to score after Josh Haley (UNC @ Pembrook/ Jackson Springs, NC) would hit another single, tying the game up at 7-7. The next batter, Kenny Socorro would proceed to single up the middle to score Leonard, giving the Terriers the walk off victory.

Starting pitcher for Stark County was RHP Cody Apthorpe (Bowling Green State University/ Windham, OH). Apthorpe threw four innings, allowing three runs, off four hits, while striking out five batters. Earning the win for the Terriers was RHP Pat O’Brien (Bowling Green State University/ Boardman, OH). O’Brien worked two innings, giving up two runs, off one hit.

Leading the hitting for the Terriers were Josh Haley (2-4, RBI), Kenny Socorro (2-4, RBI, R), Jason Bagoly (2-5, RBI, R, 3B), and Grant McCoury (2-5, R, 2B).

The Terriers will next take the field on Sunday in another double header against the Lexington Hustlers at Walsh University Field in North Canton, Ohio. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1PM.