Sluggers Fall Late in Defensive Battle
Thursday night saw the Flag City Sluggers wrap up their second-ever series, this time against the undefeated Lima Locos. Lima entered the contest at 5–0, while Flag City came in still seeking their first win at 0–5.
Pitcher Braxton Betancourt made his second start of the season for the Sluggers and came out strong, striking out designated hitter Reese Borho to open the game. Two more Locos would fly out to end the top half of the inning. Austin Vargas got the start on the hill for Lima. After walking second baseman Will Lafferty, Vargas faced third baseman Caleb Smith, who sent a solid shot to left field—but Cole Crafton came up with a spectacular diving catch for the Locos.
Innings two through four saw both teams combine for just 20 batters, as Vargas and Betancourt settled into a pitchers' duel, racking up seven strikeouts between them during that stretch.
In the top of the 5th, Betancourt struck out two more batters to keep Lima off the board. In the bottom of the inning, shortstop Brayden Curlis singled, and center fielder Ashton Williams followed with a deep double, putting both runners in scoring position. Lafferty hit a fielder’s choice that resulted in Curlis being thrown out at home, though Lafferty reached safely. After Vargas walked Smith, Lima turned to reliever Marion Creech. Right fielder Harrison Engskov swung at Creech’s first pitch and made solid contact—but again, Crafton was there in left to record the out, ending the inning with three Sluggers stranded despite two of the team's four total hits coming in the frame.
Betancourt returned for the top of the 6th and efficiently recorded his final three outs of the night, finishing with 6.0 IP, 7 Ks, and just one walk. Jacob Sams came in for relief in the 7th and 8th. Both he and Creech worked quick seventh innings, keeping the game locked at 0–0 heading into the eighth.
Sams walked shortstop Brecken Menuet to open the 8th. Then, back at the top of the lineup, Reese Borho ripped a line drive past first baseman Jaxon Brown for an RBI triple, breaking the scoreless tie. Second baseman Matt Rose followed up with an RBI single, extending Lima’s lead to 2–0 after the top of the eighth.
Engskov led off the bottom half with a single, but it would be Flag City's final hit of the night. Cameron Baker entered in the top of the ninth and struck out two Locos, while Brady Fitzpatrick came in for Lima to close it out—striking out two of his own, with Ashton Williams grounding out to end the game.
Flag City dropped to 0–6 on the season and was swept by the Locos. The Sluggers now head on the road for their first full away series of the year, taking on the Muskegon Clippers. First pitch is set for 6:30 PM Friday night. Tune in to the Meridix livestream via the GLSCL website and support your Sluggers as they fight for their first win of the season!