Flag City Sluggers Capture Their First Win
Friday night, the Flag City Sluggers traveled to Muskegon to begin their third series of the GLSCL season, this time against the Muskegon Clippers. For those in attendance, it was a night to remember, as the Sluggers secured the first win in franchise history in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.
The first inning saw no offense from either team. Aidan Pearson got the start for the Clippers, while Ty Hanley made his second start of the season for Flag City.
Scoring opened in the top of the second when designated hitter Andrew Stechschulte singled to left field for the team’s first hit of the game. Catcher Jaxon Brown’s at-bat followed, and two errors—one by Clippers catcher Nolan Zajac and another by second baseman Ethan Delgado—allowed Brown to reach second and Stechschulte to cross the plate, giving Flag City a 1–0 lead after two innings. Hanley returned to the mound and struck out two more batters in the bottom half.
In the top of the third, the Sluggers struck again. Shortstop Brayden Curlis was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Then, back at the top of the order, second baseman Brett Reed and left fielder Carter Mottice both singled to load the bases. After center fielder Will Lafferty flew out, third baseman Caleb Smith stepped up. During Smith’s at-bat, all runners advanced on a passed ball, with Curlis scoring to make it 2–0.
Muskegon wouldn’t record another hit until the bottom of the fifth, when designated hitter Joseph Chrapliwy singled to right. However, shortstop Taylor Head would fly out to center to end the inning with no damage done.
The bottom of the sixth would prove to be the Clippers’ most threatening offensive frame of the night. After Hanley wrapped up a strong outing (5.0 IP, 4 Ks), Ryan Miezin came in for relief. Miezin quickly secured two outs before walking third baseman Casey Barnes. First baseman Jack Bakus and catcher Nolan Zajac followed with singles to load the bases with two outs, but center fielder Luke Noack flew out to end the inning and the threat.
Pearson’s night on the mound ended after the seventh. He finished with five strikeouts and three walks. Aidan Murphy relieved Miezin and retired the side quickly to close the inning.
Blake Gedrich took over pitching duties for the Clippers to start the eighth and struck out Mottice to open the inning. He then walked Lafferty, who proceeded to steal second base. With a runner in scoring position, Stechschulte came through again with a single to left, bringing Lafferty home for the team’s third run of the game.
That would be all for Gedrich, as Muskegon turned to Chase Schwierking. On his third pitch, right fielder Tanner Powell ripped a double, scoring Stechschulte for his second run of the night.
Ben Best entered in the bottom of the ninth to close it out for Flag City. Though Noack singled, Best was able to shut the door and seal the historic win.
The Sluggers earned their first victory in franchise history with a 4–0 shutout over the Clippers in Game 1 of the series. They'll be back in action on Saturday, June 13 at 6:30 PM in Muskegon. Tune in and support the Sluggers as they continue their inaugural season!