GLSCL Recap - July 18

XENIA SCOUTS  12  HAMILTON JOES  5  -  FINAL

FOUNDATION FIELD - The Xenia Scouts got a huge gorilla off its back snapping an 18-game losing streak with a 12-5 win on the road over the Hamilton Joes.

The process to get the win was definitely not an easy one thanks in part to a 57 minute weather delay during the fourth inning. The delay compounded with the two teams combining to issue 33 free passes, 30 walks and three hit batters, made the official game length four hours and 53 minutes.

Xenia's wows for the entire season have been particular difficult this summer. After getting off to an 8-5 start to the season, things got sideways quickly starting with injuries decimating its pitching staff. The Scouts snapped a five-game losing losing skid with a 4-2 win over Flag City at home on June 25. At the time seemed to be a confidence booster but unfortunately the struggles were really just beginning dropping its next 18 contests until Saturday night's victory.

The Scouts (9-28) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning never trailing in the game. Owen Roehter's (Southwest Tennessee CC) two-run single in the top of the fourth extended the advantage to 4-0. During the break between the top and bottom of fourth inning, the umpires where advised to clear field when lighting was spotting within an eight mile radius of Foundation Field.

Once played resumed the Xenia extended it's lead to 5-3 scoring four more times without the benefit of a hit in the sixth inning.

The ninth inning became interesting as the the Scouts scored three runs thanks to RBI-singles by by Drew Snipes (Bluffton University) and Ethan Moore (North Alabama) plus a sacrifice fly off the bat of Cooper Schutte (Harding University).

The Joes (20-16) didn't go down quietly in the bottom of the ninth facing a 12-3 deficit. Ryder Kirtley (Miami University) drove home A.J. Gundler (Lincoln Trail) with an RBI-single. Kirtley then scored when Owen McKoon (Bowling Green State University) reached on an error.

Scouts reliever Drew Hahs (Concordia University Nebraska) was able to induce Nate Colyer (Ohio Wesleyan) into an inning ending line out escaping with the much needed victory.

The Xenia offense only needed eight hits as the Hamilton pitching staff struggled with its control issuing a GLSCL season high 20 walks.

Steven Schneider (Maryville University) was 2-for-4 with two doubles and a sacrifice fly. Roether and Ethan Papalios (Vincennes University) also had two hits each and Mayo Fernandez (Northern Kentucky) reached base on four walks scoring two runs as a result.

The rubber game of the series takes place on Sunday in Xenia with first pitch schedule on Grady's Field at Browne Stadium at 5:05pm.

LIMA LOCOS  10  MUSKEGON CLIPPERS  0  -  FINAL/7 Innings

SIMMONS FIELD - The Lima Locos flexed its muscles with a second consecutive mercy-rule victory winning 10-0 over the Muskegon Clippers at Simmons Field.

In spite of the gaudy offensive numbers of late, its been the Locos pitching staff that was been dominate through out season. Saturday's game was no different holding the Clippers to just three hits. 

Michael Strickland (Mercer University) got the start for the Locos pitching into the seven inning. Strickland was lifted after going six and 1/3 shutout innings. He gave up two of the three hits on the night that he allowed during the seventh before handing the ball off to his bullpen. Strickland, struck out four batter allowing just two walks, improved his record on the season to 3-1.

Thomson Keppel (Manchester University) came in making his season debut. After issuing a walk to load the bases, Keppel was able to record the final two outs stranding the bases loaded.

The Locos finished off the Clippers in the bottom of the seventh. Leading 8-0, Avery Wilson (Kennesaw State) was walked with the bases loaded forcing home Cameron Owens (University of Kentucky). Tyler VanSumeren (Kennesaw State) crossed the plate with the game ending run on a sacrifice fly by Cameron Greene (Southeastern Louisiana University). 

Wilson went 3-for-4 at the plate with his second consecutive three-hit game and his third of the week. Wilson also scored a run, drove in two RBI and stole two bases. Elijah Buffaloe (Bethune-Cookman) also had three hits, including a double and two RBIs. Owens and VanSumeren also chipped in each producing two hits. 

Lima (29-9) is now one win shy of tying its franchise record for most wins in a regular season. The 2017 version of the Locos, lead by head coach Brian Garman, went 30-11 on its way to the GLSCL Championship. 

Despite the loss, the Clippers (19-18) gained a half game in the playoff race after the Flag City Sluggers were swept by the Michigan Monarchs.

The series finale takes place on Sunday at Simmons Field with the Locos going for the sweep when first pitch is scheduled for 5:05pm.

MICHIGAN MONARCHS  vs.  FLAG CITY SLUGGERS  -  DH

SOUTHGATE ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL - The Michigan Monarchs did its best job of playing spoiler by sweeping the Flag City Sluggers in a double header by scores of 4-3 and 17-1.

The Sluggers (18-19) are in the heated battle for the second playoff spot in the GLSCL North Division with the Muskegon Clippers. However the Monarchs (15-20) make themselves the topic of conversation with two impressive victories.

In the opener with the scored tied 1-1, Monarchs scored a pair of runs in the third inning. Manny Gutierrez (Henry Ford CC) broke up the tie game doubling to left center field driving in Ryan McKay (Mount St. Mary's transfer). Gutierrez came around to score on a single down the right field line by J.J. Fontana (Colorado State Pueblo).

The Sluggers answered in the fourth tying the game once agains this time by a score of 3-3. Cameron Spezia (Oakland University) reached on a fielder's choice putting runners of the corners. Spezia stole second with the throw going into the outfield allowing Atticus Huffstutler (University of Akron) to score on the play. Spezia scored on a double off the bat Braden Sprague (Central Oklahoma).

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Michigan's J.T. Thomas (Saginaw Valley State) led off reaching on a walk. Thomas advanced to second base on a passed ball and to third base on a fly out by Ryan Metz (Macomb CC). Thomas scored from third base with what turned out to be the winning run on a balk committed by Sluggers pitcher Julius Robichaud (Oakland University).

Luke Stevens (Grand Valley State) went the first four innings improving his record to 3-1 on the season. Owen Shimel (Schoolcraft College) pitched the final three innings only allowing one base runner, a sixth inning walk, for this third save of the season.

The Monarchs pummeled the Sluggers in the second game with a 17-1 beatdown. Michigan only needed 10 hits with three players enjoying two-hit nights.

Cole Novara (Michigan State) was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI. Maddux Bach (UIndy) was 2-for-2 with two RBI and three runs scored. Braylon Orsette (Henry Ford CC) had a pair of singles and Evan Morrison (Macomb CC) drove in three RBIs.

Gutierrez pitched six innings giving up just the one run scattering six hits. He improved his record to 2-0 on the season registering three strikeouts and only giving up two walks.

On Sunday, the two teams will pick up Friday's suspended game at the point of interruption. The Sluggers were at the plate in the bottom of the second inning with a 2-1 lead. That game will be played to a regulation nine-inning completion beginning at 1:35 in Southgate, Michigan.

GRAND LAKE MARINERS  VS  SOUTHERN OHIO COPPERHEADS  0  -  DH

MONTGOMERY FIELD - The Grand Lake Mariners and the Southern Ohio Copperheads double header was marred by controversial ending in the first game followed by a blowout in the second game.

Going in reverse order, the Mariners dominated the Copperheads 17-4 in the nightcap. 

Grand Lake first basemen C.J. Filipek (Lawrence University) had a big game at the plate going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and four RBI. Landon Tiesing (Bellarmine University) also drove in four RBI going 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Brandt Kendall (Ball State University) continued his hot streak with two hits, two RBI and two runs scored.

That win was thought initially to be the completion of a double header sweep. The Mariners were leading 10-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning when play was halted due to a lighting delay. 

During the delay, game officials on site decided to mistakenly conclude the game without consultation from the league office. The two teams moved on and played the second game of the double header.

That decision was over ruled by the league office and the game will be now be picked up at the point of interruption on Sunday afternoon in Athens at Bob Wren Stadium. The Mariners will continue to have a 10-0 lead at the start of the bottom of the sixth inning. The game will be played to its nine-inning regulation conclusion.

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 eight active franchises in Ohio and Michigan boasting several players that have earned service time in major league baseball.