FLAG CITY SLUGGERS 9 LIMA LOCOS 2 - FINAL
SIMMONS FIELD - The Flag City Sluggers scored nine unanswered runs on its way to a 9-2 victory over the first place Lima Locos at a packed Simmons Field on Fourth of July.
The Sluggers (13-10), who have now won six out its last seven games, retired the last 11 Locos batters it faced while not allowed a hit after the fifth inning.
The Flag City relievers combined for four hitless, scoreless innings only allowing one base runner.
The Lima defense also played a role in its own demise committing six errors in the field including three in the top of the sixth inning.
The Locos jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
Evan Holstein (Kennesaw State) lead off the inning with a single to right field. Holstein came around to score on an RBI-single by Luke Mottola (Central Florida). Brecken Menuet (Louisiana Tech) followed driving in David Falloon (Mercer University) with a double to left field.
After the quick Locos start, the Sluggers pitching staff shutdown the Locos only allowing two hits for the rest of the game.
Cameron Baker (Lincoln Trail) got the start on the mound going the first five innings earning the victory. Ben Best (Ohio Northern) pitched the next two innings with Ashton Williams (Little Rock) and Cooper Ashby (Redlands CC) each taking one inning or work.
At the plate, Flag City spread 11 hits across it lineup. Harrison Engskov (Arkansas State transfer), who is leading the GLSCL in batting average (.405), continued his hot hitting going 2-for-4.
Jaxon Brown and Brayden Curlis, a pair Bowling Green State Falcons during the spring time, each chipped in with two hits and two runs scored.
Chris Franks (Ashland University) also went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a run scored and two stolen bases. Franks produced the very rare two-RBI infield single during the three-run eighth inning rally.
CLICK HERE for postgame interview with Chris Franks.
Flag City is now 13-4 after starting the season 0-6. The second place Sluggers gained a full game on the Locos in the GLSCL North Division standings.
Despite the loss in front of a capacity crowd who were also there to enjoy the annual fireworks show, the Locos (16-8) are still in the catbird seat in the North Division. Lima is three games in front of the Sluggers in the win column and two games ahead in the loss column.
The series continues on Saturday night at Simmons Field with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm.
