First Home Run, First Home Win, Six-Game Win Streak. Sluggers are Rolling.
In their first home game after a six-game road swing, the Flag City Sluggers kept the momentum going with a 7–2 win over the Hamilton Joes in Game 1 of their series. A three-run 8th inning sealed the deal, giving the Sluggers their first win at Fifth Third Field, their first home run in team history, and extending their win streak to six.
There was no scoring in the 1st inning, as starters Michael Bilo (Hamilton) and Ben Best (Flag City) each made quick work of their sides. In the bottom of the 2nd, Designated Hitter Tanner Powell led things off with a single off Bilo. A wild pitch moved him to third, and a clean RBI single from First Baseman Trey Gardner brought Powell home for a 1–0 lead.
Best pitched through the 3rd before exiting, finishing his outing on a high note with another quick inning. In the bottom half, Center Fielder Will Lafferty led off with a walk. After a hit-by-pitch and another walk, Powell hit into a 4-3 double play that still allowed Lafferty to score. Third Baseman Caleb Smith then reached on an error, bringing Catcher Rylan Mills home to stretch the lead to 3–0 after three.
The 4th and 5th innings were quiet offensively, with just two hits from the Sluggers in the 5th that didn’t lead to runs.
Hamilton found life in the 6th against reliever Cameron Baker. After a walk to Third Baseman Aidyn Coffey and a single from Right Fielder Jackson Wang—mixed in with a defensive error—Coffey came around to score the Joes' first run. In the 7th, the Joes tacked on another after Second Baseman Miguel Correa Jr. reached on an error and was brought in on a single from Shortstop Brett Denby, closing the gap to 3–2.
Flag City responded in the bottom half. Right Fielder Harrison Engskov came up with a clutch RBI single to bring home Shortstop Matt Gardner, who had walked earlier in the inning, making it 4–2 Sluggers.
Then came the 8th—where the game broke open. Caleb Smith walked, followed by Brett Reed reaching base, setting the stage for Left Fielder Charlie Smith. On the second pitch of his at-bat, Smith crushed a no-doubter to left field—his first of the season and the first home run in Flag City Sluggers history. Matt Gardner later doubled, bringing home Second Baseman Brayden Curlis for the final run of the night, bringing the total to 7-2.
After a successful road trip, the Sluggers brought the same energy back home and gave their fans plenty to cheer about in their return to Fifth Third Field.
Flag City looks to climb above .500 tomorrow night in Game 2, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM at the Marathon Diamonds.