Clippers Fall in Season Opener

Lima, OH- The Muskegon Clippers (0-1) lost their 2025 season opener to the Lima Locos (1-0) by a score of 9-4 at Simmons Field in Lima. This was the first time the Clippers lost on Opening Day since the 2022 season. This was also the first time the franchise started the season on the road as members of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.

Muskegon bats were kept cold while the Lima arms were lit on fire, racking up a team total of 15 strikeouts while holding the Clippers to just four hits. The Loco combination of opener Austin Vargas, winning pitcher Nick Koltze and saving pitcher Marion Creesh kept the Clippers silent from the fourth inning on. A productive twelve hit day at the plate while capitalizing off of four Muskegon errors contributed to the Lima 1-0 start to the summer after an eight unanswered run stretch.

An early burst of runs came from Jordon Lewis scoring on a fielder's choice put in play by Ben Meyers, followed by Braden Graves scoring on a wild pitch the next at bat to give the Clippers a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Locos would respond with a run of their own to make it 2-1 after David Falloon’s RBI single. 

A stalemate second inning was countered with what would be the final two runs scored by the Clippers. The hit and run by Holden Baker was executed to perfection and allowed for one recorded RBI and Casey Barnes to score on the outfield throw in hot pursuit fashion to extend the Clippers lead to three.

The Locos rallied consistently throughout the contest, putting up runs in every frame excluding the second and fifth. Solo homers came off the bats of Jackson Bradfield, David Falloon and Braydon Kersey.

Lewis had a busy day at shortstop with four assists and an unassisted double play to get the Clippers out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth. The Clips swiped five bases in the contest to the Locos three. Baker and Taylor head both recorded doubles to start their season of hitting.

The Clippers and Locos will be back in action on Saturday, June 7th with a 7:05 first pitch. Be sure to tune into the pregame show live at 6:40 on the Clippers Broadcast Network.