Spezia's Slam Powers Sluggers Past Scouts, Snaps Six-Game Skid
XENIA, OH — The Flag City Sluggers snapped their six-game losing streak in emphatic fashion on Tuesday night, riding an early offensive explosion and a powerhouse performance from Cameron Spezia to defeat the Xenia Scouts 9-7 at the Athletes in Action Sports Complex.
The victory stops the midsummer skid for the Sluggers, moving their record to 15-13 overall and getting their July road trip back on track.
The Sluggers wasted no time making amends for last week's heartbreaks, jumping on Xenia starter Sid Phillips (0-3) early. Up 1-0 heading into the top of the third inning, Flag City completely broke the game open. The defining moment came from right fielder Cameron Spezia, who crushed a thunderous grand slam to highlight a massive six-run frame.
Atticus Huffstutler added an RBI single in the fifth alongside a run-scoring knock from Brandon North to stretch the Sluggers' lead to a seemingly comfortable 9-1.
Flag City starter Connor Hutchinson (1-0) cruised through the first three frames before hitting trouble in the fifth, as the Scouts capitalized on a defensive error to push across four unearned runs. Xenia (8-20) continued to chip away, striking for two more runs in the bottom of the eighth to trim the deficit to 9-7.
With the tying runs on base in both the eighth and ninth innings, the Sluggers turned to reliever Max Dunaway. Despite hitting two batters, Dunaway clamped down when it mattered most, inducing clutch outs to leave a total of 14 Scouts stranded on base and secure the hard-fought road victory.
Key Stats
Flag City Sluggers
Cameron Spezia (RF): 2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI, R
Atticus Huffstutler (1B): 2-for-4, RBI, R, BB
Brandon North (C): 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R, BB
Kaden Ford (DH): 2-for-4, BB, 3 SB
Connor Hutchinson (P): 5.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO (Win)
Xenia Scouts
Ethan Papalios (C): 3-for-4, RBI, BB
Mayo Fernandez (SS): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
Zachary Pearrow (1B): 2-for-5, RBI, R
Up Next
The Sluggers will look to build their first winning streak of July as they square off against the Scouts again Wednesday for game two of the series in Xenia. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.
