Packed House Powers Sluggers to 6-4 Series Win Over First-Place Locos on Host Family Night
FINDLAY, OH — With a season-high crowd of 749 packed into Fifth Third Field on Saturday night, the Flag City Sluggers gave their home fans a show to remember. Behind a run-scoring spree in the middle innings, ultra-aggressive base running, and clutch relief pitching, the Sluggers took down the first-place Lima Locos, 6-4, to clinch the rubber match of the three-game series.
The victory pushes Flag City back into winning record at 21-20 on the summer, while handing the league-leading Locos (31-11) another rare setback.
Playing in front of a electric, packed house, Flag City fed off the energy early. After trading single runs in the first and third innings, the Sluggers took control in the bottom of the fourth. Brandon North drove in Cameron Spezia, and Draden Wardrop delivered an RBI single to put Flag City ahead 4-2.
The Sluggers kept their foot on the gas in the fifth and sixth frames. Trenten Smith provided the biggest hit of the evening, ripping an RBI triple off the wall, while Atticus Huffstutler continued his hot week by driving home another insurance run with a double.
Flag City put on a masterclass on the basepaths all night long, tormenting the Locos' defense with eight total stolen bases—including four swiped bags by third baseman Draden Wardrop alone.
On the mound, Julius Robichaud (2-2) earned the win in long relief, tossing 4.2 crucial innings to keep the Locos at bay. When Lima threatened late with two runs in the seventh, the Flag City bullpen shut the door. Jimmy Szymanski navigated a tight eighth before handing the ball to Max Dunaway, who struck out three of the six batters he faced over 1.3 dominant innings to seal his first save of the summer to the roar of the home crowd.
Key Stats
Flag City Sluggers
Atticus Huffstutler (1B): 3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Trenten Smith (SS): 2-for-3, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, R
Draden Wardrop (3B): 2-for-2, RBI, R, BB, 4 SB
Julius Robichaud (P): 4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO (W, 2-2)
Max Dunaway (P): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO (Sv, 1)
Lima Locos
Shane Miranda (C): 1-for-3, 2 RBI, Sac
Elijah Buffaloe (2B): 2-for-4, RBI, R
Thomson Keppel (P): 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO (L, 0-1)
