Sluggers Use Big Sixth Inning to Top Scouts 7-1 in Front of a Great Crowd
FINDLAY, OH — The Flag City Sluggers kept things rolling on Tuesday night, riding strong pitching and a big sixth inning to defeat the Xenia Scouts 7-1 at Fifth Third Field.
A crowd of 467 fans turned out for the matchup, enjoying free admission to the ballpark courtesy of St. Andrews United Methodist Church. The win marks the fourth victory in the last five games for the Sluggers, moving their overall record to 10-6 on the summer.
Flag City jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Brett Reed walked, stole second, and moved to third on a Trenten Smith single. Atticus Huffstutler then brought Reed home with a sacrifice fly, and Jovanny Skrelja followed with a base hit to score Smith, giving the Sluggers a quick 2-0 advantage.
Xenia (7-9) scored its only run of the night in the top of the first on an RBI single by Ethan Moore, but Flag City starter Dominic Elia (2-0) completely shut them down after that. Elia pitched 6.0 strong innings, giving up just three hits and one run while striking out seven to earn the win.
The game stayed 2-1 until the bottom of the sixth when the Sluggers' offense broke it open. Flag City loaded the bases and used an RBI walk from Miles Mitchell, a two-run single from Trenten Smith, and a run-scoring hit by Brett Reed to put up five runs and push the lead to 7-1.
The bullpen did the rest. Ben Best and Max Dunaway combined for three scoreless frames of relief, striking out seven batters over the final three innings to finish off the Scouts.
The Sluggers host Xenia for game 2 of the series in Findlay with the first pitch scheduled for 6:05 pm.
Key Stats
Flag City Sluggers
Trenten Smith (2B): 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
Brett Reed (SS): 1-for-4, RBI, 2 R, BB, SB
Jovanny Skrelja (CF): 1-for-5, 2 RBI
Dominic Elia (P): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO (Win)
Ben Best & Max Dunaway (Relief): 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 SO
Xenia Scouts
Mayo Fernandez (SS): 2-for-4
Ethan Moore (1B): 1-for-4, RBI
Sid Phillips (P): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 SO (Loss)
