Sluggers Close Out Inaugural Series in the GLSCL
This Sunday, Flag City capped off their first series as a team in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. After dropping their first two games at home, the Sluggers traveled to Hillsdale, Michigan, to play their first-ever road game against the Michigan Monarchs.
Action got underway at 4:30 PM, with Jonathan Meyette taking the mound for the Monarchs. Returning to the lineup after sitting out Game 2, center fielder Ryan Ruch led off for Flag City. Right fielder Harrison Engskov followed, making his second start with the club, and wasted no time getting things started with a single. After base hits from second baseman Will Lafferty and first baseman Jaxon Brown, Engskov came home to give the Sluggers their first lead of the season.
Making the start on the mound for Flag City was Ty Hanley, who pitched three innings, struck out two, and allowed runs to Monarchs second baseman Keegan Knupp and third baseman Derek Ruiz. Hanley was followed by Talmadge Davis, who pitched the fourth and fifth innings, striking out three and walking two.
The fourth inning marked the Monarchs’ biggest lead of the game. After center fielder Kooper Etheridge drew a walk, he stole two bases—including home—putting Michigan up 3–1.
Flag City came firing back in the fifth. Catcher Rylan Mills continued his hot streak with a huge leadoff double into right field. Left fielder Carter Mottice followed with a single, advancing Mills to third. With Ruch at the plate, a passed ball allowed Mottice to steal second while Mills scored to cut the deficit to 3–2. After a groundout from Engskov, another passed ball during Jaxon Brown’s at-bat brought Mottice home, tying the game at 3–3.
The Sluggers took the lead in the sixth. Designated hitter Drew Stechschulte singled off Michigan State pitcher Gannon Grundman. A fielding error by Grundman allowed third baseman Trey Gardner to reach base safely. He then walked the newly subbed-in Matt Gardner, loading the bases. Mottice then reached first on a fielder’s choice, bringing Stechschulte home and giving Flag City a 4–3 lead.
The Sluggers would record just one more hit—a second single from Stechschulte in the top of the 9th. Tanner Powell came in to pinch run, stealing second and third before the inning ended.
The Monarchs had the final word, scoring the last runs of the day in the bottom of the 7th. Knupp and catcher Bren Wilkinson reached base via fielder’s choice and walk, respectively. Then, the biggest offensive play of the game came from Derek Ruiz, who sent a ball over a diving Ruch in center field. Both runners scored as Ruiz reached third with a stand-up triple. He attempted an inside-the-park home run but was tagged out just shy of the plate.
Those 7th-inning fireworks gave the Monarchs a 5–4 lead that held, as they officially swept the series 3–0.
Despite the tough start to the season, the Sluggers have shown increasing intensity and momentum—particularly with their offensive spark in Game 3. They’ll look to build on that energy as they return to Fifth Third Field on Tuesday night at 7:05 PM to take on the Lima Locos.
