Justin Gorski, of the Lima Locos, lays down a bunt against the Southern Ohio Copperheads during Thursday’s doubleheader at Simmons Field.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
The Lima Locos swept a doubleheader from the Southern Ohio Copperheads on Thursday at Simmons Field, but it was far from easy.
In the first game, the Locos fell five runs behind before coming back for a 7-6 win. They won the second game 1-0 with their only hit coming in the fifth inning.
Both games were seven-inning contests because one of the games was a make-up for a game which was rained out Wednesday.
“To get the sweep in a doubleheader and in the (three-game) series is nice. Obviously, we didn’t play like we’re capable of,” Locos coach Chad Ehrnsberger said.
Pitching probably was the key Thursday on a day when the Locos’ offense produced more than one hit in an inning only once.
Lima pitcher Thomas Howard gave up a three-run home run to Southern Ohio’s Pauly Mancino in the second inning of the first game and a two-run homer to Hunter Strong an inning later but shut the Copperheads out on one hit in his final three innings on the mound.
Skyler Lhamon gave up a run but recorded his third save of the season in the seventh inning.
In the second game, starter Matteo Pare threw four shutout innings before being replaced by Dane Ebel, who struck out eight of the 10 batters he faced.
“Fortunately Matteo and Dane threw well in Game 2. Thomas had his struggles but he fought back and gave us six strong innings. Then Skylar came in and closed it,” Ehrnsberger said. “Our pitchers did their jobs today and our hitters did just enough.”
Ebel, like Lhamon, faced some adversity in the seventh inning when Southern Ohio’s leadoff hitter doubled. But he struck out the next three batters to end the game.
“When he throws strikes like he did tonight with both pitches, not too many guys are going to hit him,” Ehrnsberger said.
Read more about Thursday’s games at bit.ly/4f2uWKy.
Give me a break
The team is off until Thursday, July 18, when it travels to the first-place Hamilton Joes in a three-game series that includes a Friday night game in Lima’s Simmons Field.
The Locos are in second place in the Great Lakes Collegiate Summer League going into the all-star break. Lima won five of its last six games.
The Locos have 16 players selected for Tuesday’s GLCSL all-star game, including Blue Team starters Kaden Brown (first base), Landon Tate (shortstop) and Blake Bowen (third base).
Top performers
Xenia Scouts 13, Lima Locos 4
• Justin Gorski (Miami University) went 2 for 3 out of the leadoff spot with two runs batted in.
• Carson Klausing (Terra State College) pitched three innings out of the bullpen in his Locos debut.
• Sebastian Alexander (Coastal Carolina University) hit his first home run of the summer in the sixth inning.
Lima Locos 13, South Ohio Copperheads 4
• Bowen (University of Akron) went 2 for 3, drove in a run and scored twice in the win.
• Griffin Howe (St. Johns River State College) picked up his third save after getting the final seven outs.
• Tate (Kennesaw State Univerisity) went 2 for 4 with a triple and scored three times.
Lima Locos 7, Southern Ohio Copperheads 6
• Bowen, the designated hitter in the game, went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, bringing his total for the season up to 28 in the victory.
• Caden Lockwood (Ball State) had his second double of the season.
• Thomas Howard (college portal) pitched six innings, allowing seven hits and five earned runs while striking out nine batters.
Lima Locos 1, Southern Ohio Copperheads 0
• A fifth-inning single by Lou Fujiwara (Washington) was Lima’s only hit, but it brought home catcher Brice Estep (Coastal Carolina) for the winning run.
• Dane Ebel (Lincoln Trail College) picked up the win, striking out eight batters and allowing one hit over three innings.
GLSCL STANDINGS
Team`Record
Hamilton Joes`21-6
Lima Locos`18-12
Muskegon Clippers`16-11
Michigan Monarchs`11-16
Xenia Scouts`12-18
Southern Ohio Copperheads`12-18
Grand Lake Mariners`9-18
RESULTS AND SCHEDULE
Sunday
Xenia Scouts 13, Lima Locos 4
Muskegon Clippers 4, South Ohio Copperheads 0
Tuesday
Lima Locos 13, South Ohio Copperheads 4
Grand Lake Mariners 20, Muskegon Mariners 19
Wednesday
Muskegon Clippers 8, Grand Lake Mariners 1
Michigan Monarchs 12, Xenia Scouts 11
Thursday
Michigan Monarchs 2, Xenia Scouts 0
Lima Locos 7, Southern Ohio Copperheads 6
Grand Lake Mariners 8, Muskegon Clippers 7
Xenia Scouts 7, Michigan Monarchs 2
Lima Locos 1, Southern Ohio Copperheads 0
Friday
Games ended after The Lima News deadline. Find scores, game stories, photos and more on LimaScores.com.
Xenia Scouts at Grand Lake Mariners, 6:35 p.m.
Hamilton Joes at Muskegon Clippers, 7:05 p.m.
Michigan Monarchs at South Ohio Copperheads, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday
Xenia Scouts at Grand Lake Mariners, 6:35 p.m.
Hamilton Joes at Muskegon Clippers, 7:05 p.m.
Michigan Monarchs at South Ohio Copperheads, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, July 14
Xenia Scouts at Grand Lake Mariners, 4:05 p.m.
Hamilton Joes at Muskegon Clippers, 4:05 p.m.
Michigan Monarchs at South Ohio Copperheads, 5:05 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16
GLSCL All-Star Game at Prasco Park, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday, July 18
Lima Locos at Hamilton Joes, 7:05 p.m.
Muskegon Clippers at Xenia Scouts, 7:05 p.m.
Michigan Monarchs at Grand Lake Mariners, 8:05 p.m.
Friday, July 19
Hamilton Joes at Lima Locos, 7:05 p.m.
Michigan Monarchs at Grand Lake Mariners, 6:35 p.m.
Muskegon Clippers at Xenia Scouts, 7:05 p.m.
