The Traverse City Beach Bums (45-27) refused to relinquish the lead after grabbing it early against the Southern Illinois Miners (42-30), recording a 10-3 victory on Sunday at Wuerfel Park.
Seven runs in the first three innings allowed the Traverse City Beach Bums to put the game away early.
A two-run home run by Jose Vargas and a solo home run by Jeff Flagg in the first inning and an RBI single by Ryan Still, a sacrifice fly by Vargas, and a two-run double by Chase Burch during the second inning supplied the early offense for the Traverse City Beach Bums.Flagg rocked the Southern Illinois Miners with two home runs. Flagg went 2-5 in the game with three RBIs and two runs scored. Flagg homered in the sixth innings.
The Southern Illinois Miners had no answer for Matt Miller, who kept runners off the basepaths in his appearance. Miller held the Southern Illinois Miners hitless over 2 2/3 innings, allowed no earned runs, walked none and struck out one.
A bright spot for the Southern Illinois Miners in the defeat was Reese McGraw, who allowed only zero runs while striking out five.
Jacob Clem recorded his fifth win of the year for the Traverse City Beach Bums. He allowed three runs over six innings. Clem struck out five, walked two and gave up three hits.
Brian Fowler (5-7) was the game's losing pitcher. He allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings, walked two and struck out two.