McClain wins on Opening Day over Piketon at VA Memorial

Stephen Forsha, The Highland County Press

The McClain Tigers earned an Opening Day win for their 2026 season by defeating the Piketon Redstreaks 17-7 on Monday at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe.

McClain (1-0) trailed by two runs after Piketon plated two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and it was a 6-3 score at the conclusion of the second inning as MHS scored three runs in the top of the second, while PHS added four runs to their total in the bottom of the inning.

Neither team scored a run in the third, but the Tigers broke out with six runs in the top of the fifth, followed by a run in the top of the sixth and four final runs in the top of the seventh. PHS scored one last run in the bottom of the seventh.

The Tigers finished the game with 17 hits and five errors. Piketon had four hits and five errors.

Three McClain players had three hits each, starting with Connor Chandler as the lead-off batter was 3-for-5 (one double, one triple) with one run, two RBI and a walk.

Eli Douglas went 3-for-4 (two doubles, one triple), four runs, two RBI and a walk. Matthew Cummins also had three hits (two doubles) with a 3-for-5 game with two runs and four RBI.

Hunter Peabody was 2-for-4, scoring three runs and collecting one RBI. Kolton Lamb was 2-for-5 with one run and two RBI, with one of his hits being a double.

Easton Ary finished the win at 2-for-5 with one run and two RBI. MHS also had Carson Chandler finish 1-for-3 with a double, one run, one RBI and a walk.

Kamden Penwell was 1-for-3 with two runs and a walk. The Tigers also had Chris Lanning score a run, Benny VanGundy force a walk and Julian Swan score a run.

Steals for the Tigers included Peabody (two), Connor Chandler and Douglas.

Ary was the winning pitcher, going 5.0 innings on the mound with one earned run on three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.

Connor Chandler pitched 2.0 innings, allowing one earned run on one hit and one walk with four strikeouts.

Hunter Skaggs led Piketon at 2-for-3 with three RBI.

McClain (1-0) is scheduled to play again Thursday, April 2 on the road against the Wellston Golden Rockets at 5 p.m.

BOX SCORE

MHS 030 361 4 — 17 17 5

PHS 240 000 1 — 7 4 5

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