GLSCL Recap - June 19

LIMA LOCOS  5  XENIA SCOUTS  2  -  FINAL

SIMMONS FIELD - The Lima Locos notched its sixth consecutive win starting a three-game series by beating the Xenia Scouts 5-2 at Simmons Field.

The game took just over two hours to play with both teams enjoying good pitching performances.

Lima starter Callaghan O'Connor (Notre Dame) was especially dominate going seven innings improving his record to 2-0 on the season. The incoming freshman committed to Notre Dame only allowed one unearned run off three hits while striking out six batters. O'Connor did not allow a walk and only needed 76 pitches to get the job done.

O'Connor was perfect through the first five and 2/3 innings retiring the first 17 Xenia batters. Drew Snipes (Bluffton University) singled for the Scouts first hit of the game with two outs in the top of the sixth inning but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double.

The Scouts scored the first run of the game off O'Connor in the top of the seventh. Zachary Pearrow hit an RBI-single driving home Gabe Mathison going Xenia a 1-0 lead. 

Xenia pitching was effective until running into a buzzsaw when Lima (10-2) answered with five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Avery Wilson (Kennesaw State) tied the game 1-1 with a sacrifice fly driving in Parker Dastou (Mercer University). After loading the bases, Jimmy Dionne (Purdue University) cleared the bases with a double to center field. Dionne scored an insurance on an RBI-single by Grant McGuire (Winthrop University).

The Scouts (7-6) rallied in the ninth inning scoring another unearned run off Lima reliever Taylor Echols (Miami University) but the comeback fell short this time. 

The middle game of the series takes place Friday night in Lima with first pitch at Simmons Field scheduled for 7:05pm.

FLAG CITY SLUGGERS  5  GRAND LAKE MARINERS  5  -  Sluggers win in SUDDEN DEATH  

MONTGOMERY FIELD - The Flag City Sluggers held off a late comeback defeating the Grand Lake Mariners in sudden death on Friday night at Montgomery Field.

Grand Lake forced extra innings trying the game in the bottom of the ninth. Trailing for the entire game, C.J. Filapek (Lawrence University) doubled to left field off Sluggers closer Aidan Murphy (Warner University) driving home both Holden Murcer (Gardner Webb) and Huston Dunn (Ball State University).

Murphy bounced back getting the final two outs of the inning on back-to-back groundouts forcing extra innings.

Each team was retired in order during its respective tenth inning forcing the sudden death 11th inning.

After a bit of confusion about what to do next it was the Sluggers taking the field and the Mariners batting in the sudden death frame. With the Mariners needing to score, the Sluggers stuck with Murphy on the mound.

Murphy set down the Mariners in order during the 11th securing the victory for Flag City. Murphy went a season-high three and 1/3 innings earning the victory.

The game was controlled by effective pitching through out most of the night with the Sluggers leading 1-0 going into the eighth inning.

Flag City (8-5) scored four times in the top of the eighth giving the Sluggers a 5-1 advantage. The Sluggers loaded the bases when Kaden Ford (Transylvania University) dropped a single into right field driving home Mickey Anderson (Montgomery College). With the bases still loaded, Cameron Spezia (Oakland University) scampered home on a wild pitch. First basemen Gino Williams (Millersville University) was up next driving in Miles Mitchell (New Orleans commit) with an infield single. Ford then scored on a successful suicide squeeze bunt laid down by Bret Reed (Madonna University).

The Mariners (8-4) didn't seemed rattled answering with with three runs in the eighth. Dunn broke the seal driving home Murcer for the Mariners first run of the game. Grand Lake added two more with a two-run single up the middle by Parker Vaughn (Lansing CC).

Grand Lake closer Alex Dues (Marietta College) held the Sluggers in check retiring the side in the top of the ninth. This setup the opportunity for Filapek's timely run producing double forcing extra innings.

The starting pitchers both pitched well deserving better than a fate of only coming up with a no decision. Parker Faris (Adrian College) pitched five shutout innings for the Sluggers scattering five hits and striking out five batters. Landon Nichols (Presbyterian College) went five and 1/3 inning giving up just one run on five hits with three strikeouts.

The two teams are currently trending in opposite directions. Flag City won its fifth straight game all of which have been on the road. The Mariners (8-4) on the other hand have lost three straight after starting the season winning eight out of its first nine games.

The series remains in Celina for the middle game as the two teams will get together for a 6:35pm first pitch at Montgomery Field.

MUSKEGON CLIPPERS  12  HAMILTON JOES  6  -  FINAL

MARSH FIELD - The Muskegon Clippers got off the deck after a tough road trip returning to the friendly confines of Marsh Field earning a 12-6 over the Hamilton Joes.

The Clippers (6-7) were swept this week in Xenia but came up with a nice bounce back effort in front of its home crowd.

Caden Thelen (Grand Valley State) lead the way going 3-for-3 with two home runs, seven RBIs, a double and three runs scored. Thelen's seven RBI-game was the first for a GLSCL player since Caleb Webster for the Xenia Scouts last year against the Michigan Monarchs.

Thelen's three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning set an early tone. His bases clearing three-run double during an eight-run third inning delivered the early knock out blow.

The Clippers sent 13 men to the plate including Dalton Dick (Arkansas Pine Bluff) delivering a pair of run producing hits. Dick got the scoring started with an RBI-double to center field driving in Kaden Howard (Grand Valley State). Dick also drove home Thelen with an RBI-single later in the inning. 

Also during the third inning, A.J. Park (Davenport University) provided an two-run double plus Ben Meyers (Muskegon CC) scored when Howard was issued a bases loaded walk.

The Joes (4-7) showed signs of life but ultimately could not overcome the 11-2 deficit. Ryder Kirtley (Miami University) produced three out of the Joes six hits on the night.

Joshua Isaacs (Mount St. Joseph transfer) was a bright spot on the mound for Hamilton in his three shutout innings of relief work. Isaacs struck out a game high six batters scattering two hits allowing only two walks 

Maddux Kipling (Michigan State) was impressive coming out of the Muskegon bullpen. Kipling pitched three shutout innings not allowing a hit racking up five strikeouts for a save.

The series concludes with a double header on Saturday at Marsh Field with first pitch is schedule for 4:05pm.

MICHIGAN MONARCHS  12  SOUTHERN OHIO COPPERHEADS  7  -  FINAL 

HILL STADIUM - The Michigan Monarchs jumped out to an early lead in front of its home crowd cruising to a 12-7 win over the Southern Copperheads at Hillsdale College.

The Monarchs (4-7) jumped out to an early lead scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. 

Tyler Bruggeman (Longwood University) and J.J. Fontana (CSU Pueblo) sandwiched a pair of RBI-singles around a sacrifice fly by Evan Morrison (Macomb CC).

Michigan scored a single run in the second inning and then scored three more in the third. Ryan McKay (Michigan State transfer) doubled to right field driving in Fontana and then was one of two runners to score on separate wild pitches.

The Monarchs lead 8-0 when the Copperheads were able to manufacture four runs with the help of some shaky Monarchs pitching. Nate Silvus (Davis & Elkins) and Fox Spears (Hanover College) were each forced home on back-to-back bases loaded walks. After a pitching change Jayden Kennedy (Russell Sage College) scored on a wild pitch, Lance Morgan (High Point) was hit by a pitch and Eli Mandler (Seton Hill University) scored on yet another bases loaded walk.

The Copperheads (2-11) chipped away scoring single runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings shaving the deficit to 8-7.

The Monarchs answered in the bottom of the eighth inning pulling away scoring four runs. Fontana crossed the plate on an RBI-single by Cole Novara (Michigan State commit). Emmanuel Gutierrez (Henry Ford CC) delivered a two-single and then was forced home when Bruggeman was issued yet another bases loaded walk.

Gutierrez facilitated the the offensive attack out of the leadoff spot in the Monarchs lineup. Gutierrez finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, two RBIs, two walks, two runs scored and a stolen base.

The Monarchs stole a season-high 12 bases on the night. That number is the most since the Grand Lake Mariners recorded 12 steals against the Hamilton Joes on June 24, 2023.

The series wraps up on Saturday with double header beginning at 4:05pm at Hill Stadium in the campus of Hillsdale College.

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.