LIMA – It doesn’t matter where he is. Kevin Woodall continues to deliver in the clutch.
But instead of helping Coastal Carolina to the College World Series championship, he’s now sparking the Lima Locos.
Woodall went 3 for 4 with a home run and three RBI to power the Locos to a 7-6 victory over Grand Lake Monday at Simmons Field.
The first-place Locos are 22-10 and now stand five games in front of second-place Grand Lake (17-15).
Woodall fully intended to come to Lima after the World Series was over and reported to the Locos over the weekend and played in his first game Sunday at Grand Lake.
“Throughout out the season (at Coastal Carolina), I didn’t get that many at-bats,” the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Woodall said. “So during the offseason that’s one thing I wanted to do was get more at-bats. I wanted to get used to this pitching so I would be ready for next spring. I wanted to keep playing.”
With the win, the Locos are 2-4 against the Mariners this year.
“Obviously, you want to win over the second-place team, but I want the overall No. 1 seed,” Locos coach Chad Ehrnsberger said. “But I think Grand Lake was getting really confident against us and that’s a bigger reason for the needed win to kind of shut down their confidence.”
Grand Lake scored one in the first, two in the second and three in the third to go out to a 6-0 lead.
The Locos scored two in the third on RBI singles by Woodall and Matt Smithwick. That brought the Locos within 6-2.
The Locos added four runs in the fourth to make it 6-6. Nixon’s RBI single cut the lead to 6-3.
Woodall’s monster three-run homer to left-center field tied it at 6.
“I was looking for something to drive first pitch,” Woodall said. “He threw a fastball in there, belt high and I put a good swing on it.”
In the eighth inning, with the game tied at 6, Ross Adolph and Colin Stolly walked. Jeremy Johnson singled to load the bases with one out. Jared Nixon’s fielder’s choice grounder to short scored Adolph to give the Locos a 7-6 lead.
Left-hander Nathan Dupree (Kennesaw State) started for the Locos. He’s coming off Tommy John elbow surgery and had only thrown 6 2/3 innings entering Monday. He went only two innings and gave up six runs, all earned, on five hits.
Tyler Anderson (Bowling Green/Shawnee) came on and threw four shutout, five-hit innings of relief to give the Locos a chance at the comeback.
Once the Locos took the lead in the home eighth, it was time for closer Nick Spear (Mercer). Throwing 93 mph, Spear posted a 1-2-3 ninth, all on strikeouts, to post his league-leading 10th save.
Johnson went 3 for 4 with an RBI. Nixon had a double and two RBI for the Locos.
Woodall started at third base Monday, but he played mostly played first base at Coastal Carolina. He can also play the corner outfield spots.
“No, I don’t have one (a favorite position),” he said. “I just like being on the field with these guys and enjoying it every day. This a great group of guys.”
Locos notes: To make room for Kevin Woodall on the roster, right-hander Nick Ernst (Miami) was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury.
Locos lefty Connor Curlis (Ohio State/Findlay HS) leads the league with a 0.52 ERA. He’s 4-0.
Locos right-hander Bailey Martin (Miami) was named the GLCL co-pitcher of the week for his one-hit, 14-strikeout win over Xenia last week. The Locos won 3-0.
Up next: The Locos are at Richmond for two games, at 7 p.m. today and at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The next home game is 7 p.m. Friday against Irish Hills.
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