Late Rally Comes Up Short for Flag City
Friday night marked the beginning of a three-game weekend series between the Flag City Sluggers and the Xenia Scouts, with a packed crowd on hand at Marathon Diamonds for First Responder’s Night. Despite a spirited late-game push, the Sluggers fell short, dropping the opener 13–6.
Bryce Stenzel got the start on the mound for Findlay but faced early trouble against a red-hot Xenia lineup. The Scouts struck quickly in the 1st, led by 2nd Baseman Noah Manasan’s leadoff single—his first of three hits in the game’s first three innings. Following two walks and an error, the Scouts brought home two runs to take a 2–0 lead after one.
The second inning saw more damage from Xenia. Catcher Kaden Wu opened with a single, followed by a walk to Right Fielder Carter Jackman. A single from Left Fielder Cody Schneider drove in Wu. Manasan then delivered again, driving in two more runs with his second hit of the night. After Center Fielder Johnathan Jackson was hit by a pitch, 1st Baseman Troy Lynch laced a two-run single, putting the Scouts firmly in control at 7–0.
Xenia starter Nico Rodriguez held Flag City hitless through the first three innings. In the third, Jacob Sams took over on the mound and tossed a clean inning. But in the 4th, the Scouts added two more runs thanks to three hits and aggressive base running.
Trailing 9–0, the Sluggers finally broke through in the bottom of the 4th. Center Fielder Will Lafferty ripped a double to center, then scored on a single by 3rd Baseman Caleb Smith to make it 9–1.
Ryan Miezin entered for Flag City in the 5th, walking two and throwing a wild pitch that brought home another run for Xenia. After a scoreless 6th, the Sluggers struck again in the 7th. Smith singled and advanced to second on an error before Left Fielder Tanner Powell knocked him in with his first hit of the night, cutting the deficit to 10–2.
Chris Franks, who began the game in right field, came in to pitch the 8th. He walked three batters before giving way to Leo McEnulty. Xenia capitalized with back-to-back singles from Manasan and Jackson, scoring three more to make it 13–2 before McEnulty notched a strikeout to end the frame.
The Sluggers showed signs of life in the 8th. Pinch hitter Hayden Gilmore drew a walk, followed by a single from Shortstop Matt Gardner. 2nd Baseman Brett Reed followed with an RBI single, and a wild pitch brought in another run. Powell then came through with his second hit of the night, and an error allowed Ashton Williams to score the inning’s third run.
Down 13–5 heading into the bottom of the 9th, Findlay needed a huge rally—and Gilmore delivered a spark, launching a solo home run for his first of the season. That would be the final run of the night as the Sluggers’ comeback bid fell short, sealing a 13–6 final.
With the loss, Flag City drops to 17–18 on the season. Saturday’s game against Xenia now carries extra weight as the Sluggers continue their late-season playoff push. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM at Marathon Diamonds.