Hardacre Helps Heist a Series Win on Wednesday

Jonathan Timm

Findlay, OH: After a pair of double-digit run producing games, the Muskegon Clippers (13-16) changed the pace and relied on their pitching in a 3-2 win over the Flag City Sluggers (13-14) at Fifth Third Field on July 9th.

Winning pitcher Alex Hardacre went his longest outing of the year and pitched a phenomenal scoreless five innings and got his fourth win of the season after taking over for starter Nathan Masar. 

It took Hardacre just 62 pitches to mow through 17 Sluggers at the plate. Hardacre finished with three hits allowed, no walks and four strikeouts. Additionally, Hardacre retired ten straight sluggers from the end of the 6th inning on. Now 4-1 on the season, Hardacre is tied for second in the league in winning decisions.

Masar went four innings, allowed five hits, two earned runs, five walks, three strikeouts and stranded six Sluggers on the base paths.

The Clippers were capitalizing off of the free baserunners, as they were issued ten walks and got hit by pitches twice.

An early second inning run for the Sluggers put them ahead first for the second time in the series.

Down 1-0 going into the third, an RBI walk from Taylor Head tied the game. A few batters later, Jackson Isaacs chopped a two-RBI single past the first baseman to give the Clippers a 3-1 lead.

The Sluggers brought their final run to the plate in the fourth inning to eventually finalize the score 3-2.

A three hit night for the Clippers had additional knocks from Casey Joppie and a double from Taylor Head.

The series finale will take place at 6:05 PM in Findlay with a 5:35 pregame show.