Paints Repeat As Prospect League Champs!

Article Presented By Rathkamp Financial…

The Chillicothe Paints offense scored 12 runs in each of their 2023 Prospect League Championship Series games, and Sunday night’s 12-8 tally claimed the league title over the Quincy Gems for a (2-1) Series win. The third and deciding game was needed after Chillicothe stayed alive Saturday with a 12-0 win, after Quincy won the 18-12 opener Thursday on their home field.

After Quincy scored 2 runs in the top of the first inning, the Paints answered with 1 run in the home first inning, then added 5 in the second inning, including a Victor Figueroa three-run homer. Chillicothe added 2 more in the third, thanks to a Cole Kwiatkowski two run round-tripper. The Paints tacked on a 3 spot in the fourth for an 11-2 lead. Quincy countered with 3 runs in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to 11-5. But, Chillicothe’s Tim Orr answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth for a 12-5 lead. Quincy added 1 run in the top of the eighth inning for the final 12-6 margin.

Paints starting pitcher Will Rettig yielded 2 runs on 8 hits over five innings of work and gained the victory, then Tyler Mendez came in for relief in the sixth, working three innings and yielding 1 run on 3 hits. Paints closer Cole Pauley came on in the 9th inning, where he yielded a walk, double, and a 2-run single making it 12-8, before closing it out for the Chillicothe title win.

Offensively, top Paints producers were Victor Figueroa with 4 RBI’s and Cole Kwiatkowski with 2 RBI’s.

The final line score had Chillicothe with 12 runs/12 hits/0 errors. Quincy had 8 runs/13 hits/0 errors.

The Paints close with a Prospect League best record of (45-18).

Cole Kwiatkowski celebrates a two run blast to put the Paints ahead 8-2. Dan Ramey/Litter Media

Chillicothe’s Prospect League Championship is their second straight and fourth in Prospect League history. The Paints have now won PL titles in 2023, 2022, 2019 and 2010. They were Runner-Up in 2014 and 2009.