Mariners Use Trio of Solo Homers to Edge Sluggers 5-4, Snap Win Streak
CELINA, OH — The Grand Lake Mariners used the long ball to halt the Flag City Sluggers' three-game winning streak on Saturday night, edging out a tight 5-4 victory at Montgomery Field.
Despite an aggressive night on the basepaths and taking advantage of defensive miscues by the Mariners, the Sluggers (8-6) couldn't completely overcome a trio of home runs launched by the Grand Lake offense.
Grand Lake (9-4) jumped out to an early lead by flexing their muscles in the lower frames. Brandt Kendall launched a solo home run in the first inning, and Sean Krueckeberg followed suit with a solo shot of his own in the second. By the time Noah Drake hit a solo homer in the fifth, Flag City found themselves trailing 4-0.
The Sluggers' bats woke up in the top of the fifth. Drew Tajblik sparked the offense with an RBI single, and a series of Mariners defensive miscues allowed Mickey Anderson and Miles Mitchell to cross the plate, cutting the deficit to 4-3.
Flag City tied things up in the top of the sixth when Kaden Ford walked, swiped his way around the bases, and scored on another Grand Lake error to make it 4-4.
The deadlock didn't last long. In the bottom of the seventh, the Mariners manufactured the go-ahead run against Flag City reliever Tate Martino (0-2). A double by Landon Tiesing and a sacrifice fly by Matthew Aldridge brought home the deciding run to pull Grand Lake ahead 5-4.
The Sluggers pushed to answer in the late innings, but Grand Lake closer Elias Alvarado entered in the ninth and struck out back-to-back batters to slam the door and earn the save.
While the power belonged to the Mariners, Flag City dominated on the ground, tormenting Grand Lake's defense with 11 stolen bases on the night. Kaden Ford led the track meet with three stolen bases, while Mickey Anderson and Miles Mitchell each added a pair.
Key Stats
Flag City Sluggers
Drew Tajblik (DH): 2-for-3, RBI, R, SB
Mickey Anderson (CF): 2-for-4, R, 2 SB
Kaden Ford (LF): 1-for-3, R, BB, 3 SB
Tate Martino (P): 4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO (Loss)
Grand Lake Mariners
Sean Krueckeberg (DH): 2-for-3, HR, RBI, 2 R, 2 SB
Landon Tiesing (SS): 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, R
Jackson Murcer (P): 3.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 SO (Win)
