GLSCL Recap - June 10

FLAG CITY SLUGGERS  8  MUSKEGON CLIPPERS  6  -  FINAL

MARATHON DIAMONDS - The Flag City Sluggers clinched a series victory with an 8-6 win over the visiting Muskegon Clippers at Marathon Diamonds.

The Sluggers (3-2) jumped out to a first inning 2-0 lead and never looked back. Miles Mitchell (New Orleans) did the trick hitting a two-run single to right field driving home Drew Tajblik (University of Toledo) and Mickey Anderson (Montgomery College).

After Flag City picked up a run in the second inning, Muskegon came back briefly tying the score.

Justin St. Antoine (Kellogg CC) reached on a one-out walk in the third inning. He was followed by a double off the bat of first baseman Isaiah Domey (Michigan State). Caden Thelen (Grand Valley State) cleared the bases with a triple to right field. 

In the fourth, the Clippers tied the score when Dalton Dick (Arkansas Pine Bluff) crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Noah Laskey (Grand Valley State). 

The tie score didn't last long as the Sluggers struck again in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cameron Spezia (Oakland University) sparked the rally smashing a two-run triple chasing home Trenten Smith (Owens CC) and Gino Williams (Millersville University). Spezia scored on an RBI-groundout by Brett Reed (Madonna University) doubling up the score 6-3.

The Clippers (2-3) kept fighting scoring a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Thelen laced an RBI-single down the line scoring Domey from second base. Thelen then came around to score on a base hit by Zane Wilson (Saginaw Valley State).

The score was now 6-5 and Muskegon had the bases loaded with just one out. Flag City reliever Julius Robichaud (Oakland University) buckled down getting himself out of trouble stranding the bases loaded.

Back-to-back RBI-singles by Anderson and catcher Ty O'Brien (University of Toledo) provided the always valuable insurance runs. The two runs extended the Sluggers advantage to 8-5.

O'Brien went 2-for-4 on the night extending his multi-hit games streak to three games. In that stretch, O'Brien is 7-for-13 at the plate. 

CLICK HERE to watch postgame interview with Ty O'Brien 

Muskegon manufactured a run in the seventh inning when Kaden Howard (Grand Valley State) reached on a walk advancing to second base on a passed ball. Next a wild pitch was uncorked all the way to the backstop. The ball was far enough out of reach allowing Howard to score all the way from second base.

Sluggers closer Aidan Murphy (Warner University) slammed the door on any further Clippers threat. Murphy faced the minimum in the final two innings of the game benefiting from an eight-inning ground ball double play.

Williams joined O'Brien with two hits for the Sluggers. The Clippers had three extra base hits, a double by Domey and a triple each by Thelen and Dick.

The three-game continues on Wednesday in Findlay with the Sluggers once again hosting the Clippers starting one hour earlier than usual beginning at 5:05pm.

GRAND LAKE MARINERS  8  XENIA SCOUTS  7  -  FINAL

BROWNE STADIUM - The Grand Lake Mariners continue its hot start coming from behind for an 8-7 victory over Xenia Scouts on Grady's Field. The Mariners used a three-run rally in the top of the ninth improving its record to start the season to 5-0.

The Scouts (2-2) recorded the first out of the ninth protecting a 7-5 lead. Maalik Perkins (Ball State), making his season debut for the Mariners, got things started for Grand Lake reaching on a single. Matthew Hutchinson (Yale University) bounced a ground rule double over the left center field fence. Perkins scored on a wild pitch with Hutchinson advancing to third base.

Hutchinson scored easily tying the score 7-7 on a triple by Forrest Day (Centre College). The Mariners scored the go ahead run with Day trotting home on and RBI-single by Solomon Harwood (University of Sciences & Arts).

Alex Dues (Marietta College) came in for Grand Lake to pitch the ninth inning setting down the side in order. Dues struck out the leadoff batter followed by a pair of groundouts securing his first save of the season.

Mariners designated hitter Luke Wildes (St. John's River State College) became just the second Mariners player to record four hits in a game this season joining his teammate Hutchinson. Two of those hits were doubles plus he scored on run and drove in two RBI. Harwood also contribute three hits in the 13-hit Grand Lake attack.

The Scouts were able to take advantage off a pair of home runs. Steven Schneider (Maryville University) homered to left field in the third inning. Jack Drew (The Masters University) hit a two-run round tripper to straight away centerfield in the sixth inning.

The series shifts back to Montgomery Field on Thursday evening at 6:35pm. The Mariners look to sweep the series continuing its undefeated streak while the Scouts will try to avoid the series sweep.

LIMA LOCOS  14  MICHIGAN MONARCHS  3  -  FINAL/7 Innings   

HILL STADIUM - The Lima Locos traveled to Hillsdale College taking care of business with 14-3 mercy rule victory over the hosting the Michigan Monarchs.

Despite a 30-minute weather delay for lightning in the area, the Locos were able to get on the road early thanks to its 10+ run lead after the seventh inning.

Lima (4-1) set season highs for both the franchise and the league with with its 14-run and 16-hit offensive onslaught.

Lima catcher Gabe Gonzalez (Mercer University) joined the four-hit club with three singles and a double. Jimmy Dionne (Purdue University) was 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles.

Elijah Buffaloe (Central Florida) had a big night as well going 3-for-5 with three extra base hits. Buffaloe hit a solo homer in the first inning plus two doubles and three RBI.

Callaghan O'Conner (Notre Dame) got the start for Lima going four innings earring his first win of the season. Drew Ferguson (Louisiana Tech) chalked up a three-inning save retiring all nine batters that he faced including one strikeout.

The Monarchs (1-4) scored its first run tying the score 1-1 first inning. On a double steal, Bret Perry (UIndy) scored on the play while Ryan Metz (Mott CC) took second base. Sean Fox (Ohio University) provided the other two Michigan runs on a two-run bomb to left field in the second inning.

The homer by Fox actually gave the Monarchs a brief 3-2 advantage until the Locos put up a three-spot in the third inning. 

Lima scored four runs in each of the sixth and seventh inning taking the 11-run advantage. The Monarchs needed to score at least two runs in the bottom of the seventh extending the game. However everyone's night ended early when the Monarchs were retired in order by Ferguson in the bottom of the seventh.

The series finale moves back to Simmons Field on Thursday for a scheduled 7:05pm first pitch. The Locos look for the sweep will the Monarchs will try to salvage a win out for the series.

SOUTHERN OHIO COPPERHEADS  3  HAMILTON JOES  2  -  FINAL

BOB WREN STADIUM - The Southern Ohio Copperheads took the middle game of the series with a 3-2 win over the Hamilton Joes in front of its home crowd at Bob Wren Stadium.

The Copperheads (2-3) scored a pair of runs in the seventh inning leading to the victory.

Hamilton (1-4) jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage. Kamden McAlpin (Eastern Kentucky) led off the game with a single to center field coming around to score on a base hit by Ryder Kirtley (Miami University).

Southern Ohio answered tying the game 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning. Eli Mandler (Seton Hill University) lead off with a single and later advanced from first to third base on a single wild pitch. Mandler scored from third on a sacrifice fly by Lance Morgan (High Point).

Parker Falkenstein (Wright State) blasted a solo homer in the second inning giving the back to the Joes 2-1.

The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the seventh inning. Fox Spears (Hanover College) lead off with a single advancing to second base on a stolen base. Spears scored the tying run on an RBI-single up the middle by Joshua Caudill (Southwest Tennessee CC). 

Caudill would eventually manufacture the go ahead run. He stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch and crossed the plate thanks to a Joes error.

That was all the "Cheads" needed as the bullpen held the 3-2 lead in tack sending its fans home happy.

The three-game series will be at stake when the two teams face off Thursday at Foundation Field with first pitch schedule for 7:05pm.

ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES SUMMER COLLEGIATE LEAGUE 

The Great Lakes Summer Collegiate, founded in 1987, is a wood-bat league that is certified by the NCAA and is partially funded by Major League Baseball. The GLSCL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity that is one of 12 members of the National Alliance of Collegiate Summer Baseball (NACSB). The league currently consists of 8 active franchises in Ohio and Michigan boasting several players that have earned service time in major league baseball.