Five-Run Fifth and Stellar Relief Push Sluggers Past Monarchs 8-4
FINDLAY, OH — The Flag City Sluggers leaned on a five-run fifth inning and a dominant relief effort from Jackson Urenovitch to claim an 8-4 victory over the Michigan Monarchs on Saturday night at Fifth Third Field.
The win before a home crowd of 312 fans improves the Sluggers' record to 13-7 on the season.
Flag City opened the scoring in the bottom of the third when Aiden Booth cracked an RBI double, later coming around to score on a single by Trenten Smith to build a 2-0 cushion.
The Monarchs (5-13) briefly took the lead in the top of the fifth, stringing together three runs off Sluggers starter Leo McEnulty, highlighted by a two-run triple from Ryan McKay. McEnulty left the game after striking out eight over 4.1 solid innings.
The Sluggers' response in the bottom half of the fifth was swift and decisive. Capitalizing on multiple Michigan defensive miscues, Flag City erupted for five runs. Mickey Anderson and Miles Mitchell each ripped run-scoring singles, while Gino Williams and Braden Sprague picked up RBIs to vault the Sluggers back ahead 7-3.
Urenovitch (4-1) took care of the rest out of the bullpen. Entering the game in the fifth, he threw 4.2 brilliant frames of relief, conceding just one unearned run while striking out six to shut down any hope of a Michigan comeback and secure the victory.
Key Stats
Flag City Sluggers
Aiden Booth (3B): 2-for-2, 2B, RBI, 2 R, BB, SB
Trenten Smith (2B): 2-for-4, RBI, R, BB, SB
Miles Mitchell (DH): 2-for-5, RBI, R
Jackson Urenovitch (P): 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO (Win)
Michigan Monarchs
Ryan McKay (3B): 2-for-5, 3B, 2 RBI, R
JJ Fontana (2B): 2-for-4, RBI, R, SB
Ryan Walters (P): 4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 SO (Loss)
