Sluggers Bounce Back Behind Sheefel
SOUTHGATE, MI — One day after a challenging twinbill, the Flag City Sluggers showed their grit by bouncing right back into the win column. Behind a masterful long-relief performance from Braylon Sheefel and some clutch, two-out hitting, the Sluggers defeated the Michigan Monarchs 6-2 on Sunday afternoon at Anderson High School to salvage a weekend split.
With the victory, the Sluggers pull back to a perfectly balanced 19-19 record as they head into the final stretch of July.
After Michigan scratched across an unearned run in the second, Flag City’s bats immediately went to work in the bottom half of the frame. Aiden Booth tied the game with an RBI single, and Braden Sprague followed with a perfectly executed sacrifice fly to put the Sluggers ahead 2-1.
An inning later, the top of the lineup delivered the cushions they needed. With runners aboard, shortstop Trenten Smith cracked a clutch, two-out two-run single to extend the lead to 4-1.
The real story of the day, however, was Braylon Sheefel (1-1). Entering the game in the third inning after starter Tate Martino pitched two solid frames, Sheefel absolutely anchored the diamond. The reliever tossed 7.0 sensational innings, scattering eight hits but navigating out of trouble with poise, allowing just one run while striking out two to earn his first win of the summer.
Michigan threatened to chip away in the fifth, but Flag City answered right back in the seventh. Drew Tajblik hammered a two-out, two-run single into the outfield to score Kaden Ford and Draden Wardrop, putting the game entirely out of reach at 6-2. Sheefel and the defense took care of the rest, turning away the Monarchs in the final frames.
Key Stats
Flag City Sluggers
Trenten Smith (SS): 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Drew Tajblik (LF): 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 SB
Atticus Huffstutler (1B): 1-for-4, 2B, R
Braylon Sheefel (P): 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
Michigan Monarchs
Cole Novara (CF): 2-for-4
Dane Richards (LF): 2-for-4, RBI
Zach Lemke (P): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 SO
Up Next
The Sluggers will get a little break for the All-Star game then host the Lima Locos on Thursday at 6:05pm.
