PICTURES BY DOMINIC CARPENTER 

The Lima Locos sent the Muskegon Clippers back home with an 0-3 record after the opening weekend of the GLSCL season.

In Game two of the series starting pitcher Evan Shapiro came out firing throwing four innings and only allowing two Clippers on the basepath via walks. Shapiro stated that he was "Getting comfortable from the get-go" by getting ahead in counts and staying calm even after he started behind. Shapiro had eight strikeouts over this time which currently leads the entire Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.

The Locos bats in game two took a little bit to show up, but in inning number three the top of the order changed this with back to back singles from Reese Borho and Matt Rose put two runners on. Braydon Kersey would destroy a ball past the right center fence and put the Locos up 3-0. Kersey at the end of the series sits at a .308 average with 2 HR and 4 RBIs. Clippers pitching staff would then give up 7 consecutive free passes (six walks and a hit batter). By the end of the third inning Locos were up 8-0.

Brady Fitzpatrick and Stetson Callaway would combine for the rest of the game pitching wise and didn't allow any hits for a combined game no hitter. They had five strikeouts and only two walks over three innings. Locos would add 3 runs in the sixth and end the game in 7 with a final score of 11-0.

Game three would be much more nerve racking for Lima. Clippers star Ashten Wong would walk and advance home on an error putting the Clippers up 1-0 right after the game began. Locos were retired 1-2-3 and found themselves down 1-0 at the end of the first inning.

However after blanking the Clippers in the second inning Locos struck back. Cole Crafton singled on a ball into left field followed by a Charlie Vercruysse walk put them on first and second. A ground ball advanced each into scoring position and Grant McGuire took advantage by sending a ball deep into right center for a stand up double and a 2-1 Locos advantage.

Ashten Wong had a leadoff walk and once on third a wild pitch would bring him home to even up the game at 2 all. After the wild pitch Anderson Hayes would be replaced pitching 2.1 innings, 2 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 3 strikeouts, and 4 walks. Jonathon Allen came in to the game and ended the third shortly after. 

The Locos looked to break the tie in the bottom of the fourth and thanks to an error, walk, and fielder's choice Charlie Vercruysse on third and Grant McGuire on first. Luke Mottola would attempt to break the tie but with great plate discipline walked to first and loaded the bases full of Locos. On the fourth pitch of the at bat leadoff hitter Reese Borho would bloop a single in center field scoring Vercruysse and McGuire and putting the Locos up 4-2 where they would ultimately end inning four.

In the sixth inning with the Locos still up 4-2 a leadoff flyout and back to back singles put Luke Noack and Nolan Zajac on the corners with the lineup heading back to the top of the order. Ashten Wong smoked a ball for a homerun putting the Clippers up 5-4. It was a return to form for Wong who led the league with 8 homeruns last season.

Chad Ehrnsberger said about the homerun that Wong has "Put up numbers every summer so to see him do that didn't shock me". Another thing that didn't shock him was the Locos response.

Right away in the bottom of the sixth Luke Motolla walked, Reese Borho singled, and Matt Rose hit a sacrifice fly that evened the game at     5-5. Ehrensberger said "We've done a good job answering whenever they (Clippers) score. We seem to come back with our best foot forward". 

It was the hero of the game for the Locos, Reese Borho, who took a ball deep to right field on the third pitch for what was ultimatelt the game winning run. Borho went 3-5 with 3 RBIs and now finds himself second in the GLSCL batting average standings hitting .500.

The environment created by the Lima Locos is one where no matter the result they are always going to be there for each other, whichi is especially impressive after only being together for a couple of weeks.

Pitcher Evan Shapiro stated "Overall, it's just fun to play with this group of guys. Everyone has fun and everyone roots for each other on. It's a great team to be a part of".

The off the field cohesion has translated directly to the field as the Locos are 3-0 as they get ready for the Flag City Sluggers in a series played on Tuesday-Thursday. Locos will return to Simmons Field Friday and Sunday facing the Xenia Scouts.