GLSCL Recap - June 13

HAMILTON JOES  15  FLAG CITY SLUGGERS  4 -  FINAL/7 Innings 

MARATHON DIAMOND - The Hamilton Joes went on the road smashing the Flag City Sluggers into submission with a 15-4 mercy-rule victory at Marathon Diamonds.

The win clinched the series victory for the Joes but that was not the biggest story of the game.

Hamilton right fielder Owen McKoon (Louisiana Monrow) hit for the cycle going 4-for-5 at the plate reaching base in five plate appearances. McKooon tripled in the second inning achieving what many believe is the most difficult piece of the accomplishment.

McKoon singled leading off the fourth and later hit a three-run homer later in the nine-run inning. With at least two more at bats possible, McKoon reached on a fielder's choice in the fifth. He finished off the day and the rare feat with a double in the seventh inning.

McKoon becomes first GLSCL player since Ty Garza (Wayne State) of the Michigan Monarchs in 2024 to hit for the cycle. It's only the fourth time since 2012 that a GLSCL player has accomplish the rare feat of hitting a single, double, triple and home run in the same game.

Almost overshadowed was A.J. Gundler (Lincoln Trail College) having a great night at the plate for the Joes going 4-for-4 with a double and two stolen bases. Alex Koelling (Miami University) had three hits as well two of which were doubles.

The win for the Joes (4-4) is its third straight after getting to a tough start to season going 1-4 and losing its first three games.  

The Sluggers (3-5) will try to avoid being swept on Sunday but we have to do so on the road. The series wrap-up takes place at Foundation Field scheduled to begin at 7:05pm.

GRAND LAKE MARINERS  5  MUSKEGON CLIPPERS  3  -  FINAL

MARSH FIELD - The Grand Lake Mariners held off a late surge starting a new winning streak defeating the Muskegon Clippers 5-3 on the road at Marsh Field.

Grand Lake (7-1) suffered its first loss of the year snapping a six-game winning streak to open the weekend on Friday Night. After Saturday night's win the Mariners even up the series with the Clippers.

It was a pitcher' duel through the first five innings with Grand Lake starter Joseph Lafkas (Ball State) and Muskegon's Zanders Wills (University of Dayton) each putting up zeros on the scoreboard.

Lafkas went six shutout innings for the Mariners giving up just one hit striking out 11 batters. Lafkas retired the first 14 batters he faced only giving up a single to Kaden Howard (Grand Valley State) in fifth inning. 

Wills pitched five shutout innings for Muskegon striking out seven batters while giving up just two hits and one walk.

In the sixth inning, the Mariners got to Clippers reliever Carson Merritt (Kalamazoo College) finally breaking the seal. Maalik Perkins (Ball State) led off the inning reaching on a walk coming around to score on a double off the bat of Luke Wildes (St. John's River State College).

Grand Lake struck again scoring four runs in the seventh inning. Landon Tiesing (Kent State) produced an RBI-single to left field driving home Forrest Day (Centre College). Matt Aldridge (Pitt Community College) followed with a three-run blast his first homer of the season.

The Clippers made a late comeback with a three-run rally. Sam Briggs (Saginaw Valley State) singled to left field driving home Ryan Louch (Lansing CC). Caden Thelen (Grand Valley State) later cleared the bases with a two-run triple.

Grand Lake closer Alex Dues (Marietta College) came in to stop the bleeding and he did just that recording the final four outs for the game for his second save of the season.

The rubber game on Sunday will wrap up the series with the as first pitch at Marsh Field is scheduled to take place at 5:05pm.

LIMA LOCOS  11  SOUTHERN OHIO COPPERHEADS  4  -  FINAL  

BOB WREN STADIUM - The Lima Locos keep taking care of business defeating the Southern Ohio Copperheads in Athens on Saturday night by a score of 7-3.

If its at all possible, the Locos (6-2) have seemed to fly under the radar so far despite being the defending league champs and sitting at top of the North Division standings. Lima has won all three series during the young season.

Lima piggy backed a pair pitchers allowing just four runs while scattering five hits.

Garrett Byrd (Winthrop University )went the first five innings giving up just two runs, one of which was unearned on only three hits. Byrd also recorded four strikeouts while walking three batters.

Grant Jolly (Marshall University) followed pitching four innings out for the bullpen earning the save. Jolly began to tire giving up both of his runs in the ninth inning but found a way to finally slam the door. Jolly got out of the bases loaded jam getting Wyatt Fether (Clarion University) to groundout ending the threat.

Avery Wilson (Kennesaw State) and Jimmy Dionne (Purdue University) each had two hits during Lima's nine-hit offensive attack.

The Copperheads (2-6) could only muster five hits with Lance Baker (Salem University) providing two of those along with a run scored.

The Locos will play for the sweep with the Copperheads looking to avoid the fate when the two team wrap up the series Sunday evening at Bob Wren Stadium being at 5:05pm.

XENIA SCOUTS  11  MICHIGAN MONARCHS  10  -  FINAL

GRADY'S FIELD - The Xenia Scouts used some late inning magic for the second straight night coming from behind to defeat the Michigan Monarchs 11-10 on Grady's Field at Browne Stadium.

After back-to-back ninth inning collapses during the week, the weekend has brought better fortune to the Scouts. On Friday, Xenia overcame a 5-0 deficit and on Saturday they trailed 8-1 going into the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Monarchs scored seven runs in the top of the fifth inning. Casey Robertson (High Point) hitting a three-run homer, his second in as many nights, and two-run triple by J.J. Fontana (CSU Pueblo) were the big blows.

The Scouts (4-4) scored three runs answering in the bottom of the inning cutting the Monarchs lead to 7-4. Ethan Moore's (University of North Alabama) two homer was the only hit of the inning for Xenia. 

The Monarchs (2-6) scored a single run in the top of the seventh but Scouts put up a four-spot on the board making it a one-run game. Jack Drew (The Masters University) hit a two-run home run followed by Mason Golabek's (Westmont College) RBI-single shrinking Michigan's lead to 9-8.

In the eighth inning, the Monarchs scored what was thought to be an insurance run giving them a 10-8 lead. However, in this series no lead has been safe and the Scouts had six outs to work with for another comeback.

Drew came up big again for Xenia in the eighth inning delivering an RBI-single driving home Mayo Fernandez (Grace College). With Michigan now leading 10-9, Steven Schneider (Maryville University) scored on a wild pitch tying the 10-10. Drew then crossed the plate giving the Scouts an 11-10 advantage thanks to the second run-scoring wild pitch of the inning.

Mack Skeels (The Masters University)entered the game on the mound in the ninth for the Scouts for runners on first and second base with no outs. Skeels induced an infield pop and recorded a strikeout for the first two outs. He then issued a walk loading the bases with the potential tying and go ahead runs both in scoring position. Skeels struck out Michigan's Tyler Bruggeman (Longwood University) putting an end to the threat and clinching the series victory of Xenia.

Ryan McKay (Michigan State transfer) did everything in his power at the plate to put the Monarchs in position for a better fate. McKay went 4-for-5 with three runs scored in a losing effort.

The series concludes Sunday evening as the Scouts go for the sweep. The Monarchs look to avoid that fate when the first pitch is scheduled or 5:05pm at the Athletes in Action Sports Complex.

ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES SUMMER COLLEGIATE LEAGUE 

The Great Lakes Summer Collegiate, founded in 1987, is a wood-bat league that is certified by the NCAA and is partially funded by Major League Baseball. The GLSCL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity that is one of 12 members of the National Alliance of Collegiate Summer Baseball (NACSB). The league currently consists of 8 active franchises in Ohio and Michigan boasting several players that have earned service time in major league baseball.