LIMA LOCOS 5 FLAG CITY SLUGGERS 4 - FINAL
SIMMONS FIELD - The Lima Locos overcame early misfortune coming back to walk it off on the Flag City Sluggers 5-4 on Sunday at Simmons Field.
The Locos win the series after dropping the first game pf the series. Lima is the proud owner the best record in the GLSCL (18-8) remaining atop of the GLSCL North Division standings.
Lima starting pitcher Taylor Echols (Miami University) left the game with an injury just four batters into the game.
The Sluggers (13-12) took advantage of the Locos misfortune scoring four runs in that opening inning. After the first two batters reached base, Harrison Engskov (Arkansas State transfer) drove in Carter Mottice (Bowling Green State) on a sacrifice fly.
Landon Vandegrift (University of Akron) replaced Echols on the mound for the Locos. He gave up an RBI-groundout by Drew Stechschulte (Ohio Northern) allowing Brayden Curlis (Bowling Green State) to score on the play. Trey Gardner (Three Rivers CC) capped off the inning with a two-run single bringing home Stechschulte and Tanner Powell (Loyola University commit).
The Locos chipped away throughout the game scoring single runs in five different innings.
Lima tied the game 4-4 in eighth inning when Cole Crafton (University of Louisville) raced home from third base on a wild pitch.
The Locos completed the comeback in the ninth when Charlie Vercruysse (Purdue University commit) reached base on a one-out triple. Payton Ebbing (Kent State) became the hero was he lifted the sacrifice fly to center field allowing Vercruysse to tag up and score the winning run.
Vercruysse was another offensive hero going 3-for-4 with that triple and two runs scored.
Vandergrift held it together on the mound for the Locos after the Echols that rough first inning. He went four and 2/3 innings while the Locos got the train back on the tracks.
Johnathon Allen (University of Akron) was even better pitching four shutout innings closing it out earning his first win of the season. Allen gave up just two hits while striking out two batters.
After a day off on Monday, the Locos will play back-to-back double headers on Tuesday and Wednesday versus the Xenia Scouts. Meanwhile the Sluggers will being hosting a three-game series at home beginning Tuesday against the Muskegon Clippers.
